In a potential seismic shift in the development paths of NHL prospects, there have been recent discussions about opening the door for players from the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) to play NCAA hockey if they desire. Elliotte Friedman and Jeff Marek of Rogers Sportsnet's '32 Thoughts' podcast and Chris Peters of FloHockey's 'Talking Hockey Sense' podcast have reported that there is appetite from both sides to make this change.
The CHL is widely regarded as the premier development league in the world, but players forfeit their NCAA eligibility if they participate in any games in the Western Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League, or Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League. This has led many top draft prospects to choose the college path, causing frustration in CHL circles.
The changing landscape of NCAA sports may be a driving force in considering this change. With the introduction of NIL (name, image, and likeness) rules, student-athletes can now monetize their talents, blurring the line between amateur and professional. Additionally, NCAA hockey programs allow players to join after developing in the junior tiers of professional teams in Europe.
While American prospects have overwhelmingly chosen the college route in recent years, it has been a growing trend for Canadian talents as well. Notable examples include Jonathan Toews, who chose a college path over the WHL and was drafted third overall in 2006, and Macklin Celebrini, the projected No. 1 pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, who bypassed major junior hockey to play for Boston University.
In the 2023 and 2021 NHL Drafts, several Canadian players who developed in college were selected in the first round, including Adam Fantilli, Matthew Wood, Bradly Nadeau, Owen Power, and Kent Johnson. This further highlights the quality and appeal of NCAA hockey for top prospects.
The proposed change would not only benefit CHL teams by increasing star power and talent levels but also provide an opportunity for them to retain Canadian players who are college-bound. However, the implementation of this change would require careful consideration and collaboration between all stakeholders. Many details, such as eligibility requirements and rules for transfers, would need to be worked out.
Though there may be challenges and unintended consequences along the way, it seems inevitable that an agreement will be reached in favor of allowing CHL players to pursue NCAA hockey in the future. According to Marek, the NCAA vote is expected to take place in early summer, with the aim of implementing the new rules by 2025.
This potential change marks a significant development in the landscape of NHL prospects' development paths, one that will undoubtedly shape the future of the sport. It is a story worth watching as negotiations progress and decisions are made.
