Western Hockey League – CanucksBanter

By Andrew Phillip Chernoff | CanucksBanter

September 13, 2024

According to Greg Wyshynski of ESPN, Braxton Whitehead of the Western Hockey League’s Regina Pats has received a verbal commitment for the 2025-26 season from Arizona State University’s Division I program despite NCAA eligibility rules that prevent any player who has appeared in a major junior hockey game from playing college hockey.

This is the first NCAA commitment for a Canadian Hockey League player since a proposed class action suit was filed against the NCAA and 10 universities in August claiming that the eligibility rules violate antitrust laws.

The suit seeks to allow players to play hockey in both major juniors and college, which would be a dramatic shift in the player development landscape, says Wyshynski.

Whether or not that suit is successful, Whitehead and Arizona State are both confident those restrictions will be lifted before he joins the Sun Devils in 2025.

For more, https://www.espn.com/college-sports/story/_/id/41243185/whl-braxton-whitehead-commits-arizona-state-challenging-ncaa-rules

Source: ESPN.com

September 25, 2023

Calgary, Alta. – The Western Hockey League announced today, Kevin Constantine, Head Coach of the Wenatchee Wild, has been suspended pending an independent investigation into alleged violations of WHL Regulations and Policies.

Constantine was suspended on Sunday after the WHL’s independent reporting channel received a complaint regarding his conduct. Constantine is not permitted to have any contact with any member of the organization, including players, while the matter is being investigated.

The WHL’s independent Player Advisory Council is conducting an investigation into the allegations. The independent investigation began Sunday when the complaint was received. Upon completion of the investigation, the Player Advisory Council will provide a report to the WHL Commissioner who will then make a determination on any further disciplinary action.

Earlier today, Wenatchee Wild management and the WHL Security Network met with the players to address the situation and offer support. The WHL will take all necessary steps to protect the player experience and ensure strict compliance with WHL Regulations and Policies.

The WHL will issue a further statement when the process has concluded.

Source: Western Hockey League