NCAA could rule on CHL player eligibility this week

The hockey development ecosystem could be significantly altered this week.

As first reported by USCHO, legislation could be passed as early as this week that would allow players from the Canadian Hockey League to become eligible for the NCAA. Currently, the NCAA considers the CHL to be a professional league, making its players ineligible.

From USCHO:

The NCAA Division I Council is scheduled to take up a recommendation to adopt emergency legislation that would eliminate the prohibition on major junior players in NCAA hockey, according to a source. The council meets on Tuesday and Wednesday.

ESPN's John Buccigross also provides a clear and simple explanation of what's going on.

#CawlidgeHawkey/CHA update:

Commissioners had a meeting with Jenn Fraser (Managing Director of Division I)
this morning. The recommendation to the Division I Council is to consider emergency legislation in their meetings Oct 8-9 (tomorrow and Wednesday) in regard to two specific…

— BucciOT.Com (@Buccigross) October 7, 2024

If the legislation passes, the rule change would likely take effect beginning next season. If that's the case, you can see why a player like Zachary Morin – who is committed to Boston University – may be enticed to make the move to the CHL.

There is a chance the NCAA pushes this decision down the road. This is all happening at a planned NCAA D-I council meeting, and they have more than a few thing$ on the go. But it seems everyone on both sides has begun to face facts: this rule change is happening, it's just a matter of when. 

The ramifications of this will be huge – and not just for the CHL and NCAA. What impact will this have on Canadian junior A hockey (especially leagues like the BCHL and AJHL) or the USHL? Will Canadian university hockey take a big hit? And the biggest question: where will hockey's top prospects choose to play?

The ruling will also have an impact on the NHL. From the Grand Forks Herald:

If it passes, it will immediately make nearly 1,400 players eligible, including NHL first-round picks. It also would alter development paths and balloon the number of Canadians playing college hockey. The NHL will be forced to re-define its Collective Bargaining Agreement, which has separate parameters for CHL and NCAA players.

This is big. This ruling could really shakeup the hockey development pathway. Be prepared to start seeing college hockey scouts in the stands at CHL arenas.