By Andrew Phillip Chernoff | CanucksBanter

November 8, 2024

Collegehockey.com released the following statement yesterday:

The NCAA Division I council voted Thursday to make Canadian Hockey League (major junior) players eligible for NCAA Division I hockey and those players may start to participate on NCAA Division I hockey teams effective August 1, 2025.

Players may participate in the CHL (Ontario Hockey League, Western Hockey League, and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League) without jeopardizing their NCAA Division I hockey eligibility provided they were not compensated above actual and necessary expenses for their participation.

The new eligibility for CHL players does not apply to NCAA Division III; CHL players are still ineligible for NCAA Division III hockey

According to John Wawrow of the Associated Press:

The eligibility change could also impact the USHL, which previously attracted players who turned down competing in the CHL in order to maintain their college eligibility.

Two recent NHL No. 1 draft picks, San Jose forward Macklin Celebrini and Buffalo Sabres defenseman Owen Power, both played in the USHL.

Since its inception, the USHL development model has been “intentionally aligned with the student-athlete experience,” the league wrote in a statement responding to the NCAA decision.

“The USHL remains the world’s premier development path. All aspects of the league are focused on preparing athletes for collegiate and professional hockey, inclusive of on-ice, academic, and character development.

Last month council introduced a proposal to lift the ban.

Players competing at the major junior ice hockey or on professional teams can retain NCAA eligibility “as long as they are not paid more than actual and necessary expenses.”

The decision also applies to skiing, bringing both in line with NCAA eligibility rules for other sports.

Sources: collegehockey.com, associated press