In a landmark decision, the NCAA Division I Council voted on Thursday to allow players from the Canadian Hockey League (CHL)—which includes the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), Western Hockey League (WHL), and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)—to become eligible for NCAA Division I hockey. The new policy will take effect on August 1, 2025, opening the door for CHL players to compete in NCAA Division I hockey without compromising their eligibility.
Under the new rules, players from the CHL will be able to continue playing in major junior leagues while retaining their eligibility for NCAA Division I hockey, as long as they do not receive compensation exceeding actual and necessary expenses related to their participation in those leagues. This means that while players in the CHL can still compete at the major junior level, they must not receive financial benefits beyond what is deemed necessary for their day-to-day expenses—like travel, equipment, or other related costs.
However, it's important to note that this change only applies to NCAA Division I hockey. Players from the CHL will still be ineligible to participate in NCAA Division III hockey, as the new rule does not extend to that level of play.
The move is seen as a significant shift in the relationship between the NCAA and the CHL, creating new opportunities for Canadian players to pursue both their hockey careers and a college education in the U.S. With this decision, the NCAA opens up a pathway for talented players who have previously been restricted from joining Division I hockey teams due to the traditional amateurism rules surrounding major junior hockey.
As the effective date of August 2025 approaches, both CHL players and NCAA Division I teams will likely begin to navigate this new landscape, with potential changes to recruitment strategies and eligibility requirements.
This shift marks an exciting new chapter for college hockey, one that could have lasting implications for the development of young players and the future of the sport at the collegiate level.