Reports: Changes coming to import setup

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

It looks like changes are indeed coming to the CHL's import situation.

According to reports from both Stephane Leroux and Mikael Lalancette, the CHL will allow teams to carry three import players beginning next season, an increase from the current limit of two.

Une nouvelle sera confirmée bientôt : La #LCH va permettre de grimper de 2 à 3 le nombre de joueurs européens au sein de ses équipes dès la saison 25-26

Sans doute pas étranger au fait que des joueurs des 3 ligues vont maintenant quitter pour la #NCAA à 19 et surtout à 20 ans

— Stephane Leroux (@StephRDSJunior) April 16, 2025

Lalancette reports that teams will also be able to trade import picks again, something that hasn't been permitted for quite some time.

Revirement de situation, selon mon collègue. Il y a quelques jours à peine, on pensait que ce serait seulement pour 2026-27.

J'ai un détail très important à ajouter : les transactions de choix seront maintenant permises! Comme à l'époque, c'est majeur. https://t.co/OwMdtPh6W8

— Mikaël Lalancette (@MikLalancette) April 16, 2025

Edmonton radio personality Jason Gregor reported the potential changes to the CHL's import roster limit last month.

The move could be for a couple reasons. For one, this could help teams that are losing a player early to the NCAA fill out that roster spot with, potentially, an impact import. This move could also be due to increased interest in the CHL from Europeans now that the NCAA route is an option down the road.

The Saint John Sea Dogs will likely be busy during this year's Import Draft given that they played the entire second half with no imports on their roster.

The Sea Dogs will have at least one high pick in this year's draft. The draft order and date for this year's virtual event has not been released by the CHL.