CHL players to become NCAA eligible next season; QMJHL returning to USA?

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PORTLAND, ME - The junior hockey world changed forever on Thursday.

Beginning next season, players from the Canadian Hockey League will be allowed to play United States college hockey, the NCAA announced Thursday. It was an expected approval, but one that will have a dramatic impact on player development and movement in North America.

"The Division I Council on Tuesday adopted a proposal to change rules for preenrollment activities in men's ice hockey and skiing, enabling prospects who participate in Major Junior ice hockey or on professional teams to retain NCAA eligibility as long as they are not paid more than actual and necessary expenses as part of that participation," reads an NCAA statement.

"The change is effective Aug. 1, 2025."

College Hockey Insider has more on the rule change and some of the finer details. One important detail: similar to football and basketball, if a player signs an NHL entry level deal, they lose their NCAA eligibility. 

This change was expected to happen at some point over the next few years. But things moved quickly. CHL players won't be eligible for college hockey until next season, but that won't stop players from committing to schools or signing with CHL clubs.

The CHL issued a statement on Thursday.

"While we will take time to fully review this rule change, we believe this is a positive development that will provide our players with more opportunities to continue their hockey and academic careers following their time in the CHL," reads the statement. "It will also give young players and their families more options in choosing their development path, which includes opening up the CHL – the best development hockey league in the world for players aged 16-20 – to more players worldwide."

QMJHL commissioner Mario Cecchini also released a statement.

“We don’t have all the details of the new rule at this time, but based on what we do know, we view this historic change in a positive light," said QMJHL Commissioner Mario Cecchini. "First and foremost, I believe this is beneficial to younger players. The players and their families won’t have to rush to make an important decision at such a young age (15). All the best players from 16 to 20 years old will have the opportunity to play in the QMJHL (CHL), the best development league in the world. 

“For the QMJHL and our 18 teams, the player is always at the heart of our priorities," added Cecchini. "I hear often from our alumni that their years in the QMJHL were the best of their lives. We are delighted that after completing their careers in the QMJHL, players will have additional options to pursue their athletic and academic goals. We are also very much looking forward to welcoming a whole new wave of talented players, who, under the old rules, avoided our league to preserve their NCAA eligibility.”

Cecchini made headlines this week when, on a stop in Rimouski, told media that the QMJHL would like to expand into the United States within the next few years. Given Thursday's news, moving back into the US makes more sense than it has in some time.

We'll see what happens with all this, but we'll likely start to see the impact of this change very quickly.