NCAA makes Canadian Hockey League players eligible for Div. I

Greg Wyshynski, ESPNNov 7, 2024, 04:53 PM ET

CloseGreg Wyshynski is ESPN’s senior NHL writer.

The NCAA Division I council voted Thursday to make Canadian Hockey League players eligible for NCAA Division I hockey in 2025, in a decision that could reshape the landscape of both college and major junior hockey.

The council ruled players can compete in the CHL — comprised of the Ontario Hockey League, Western Hockey League and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League — without jeopardizing their NCAA Division I hockey eligibility, provided they aren’t “paid more than actual and necessary expenses as part of that participation.”

The effective date of the rule change is Aug. 1, 2025. The new eligibility for CHL players does not apply to NCAA Division III; CHL players are still ineligible for NCAA Division III hockey.

The NCAA had previously deemed anyone who played in the CHL ineligible because there are players who have signed professional contracts with NHL teams playing in those leagues. CHL players are also paid a monthly stipend that’s capped at $250.

NCAA Bylaw 12.2.3.2 states that “an individual shall not be eligible for intercollegiate athletics in a sport if the individual ever competed on a professional team.”

Despite the rule change, players who sign NHL contracts and return to the CHL are still not eligible to play NCAA Division I hockey. Players can however participate in NHL training camps provided those teams don’t compensate the player beyond “beyond actual and necessary expenses.”

The CHL supported the rule change in a statement released 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,” the statement said. “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…

Source link : https://www.espn.com/college-sports/story/_/id/42254200/ncaa-makes-canadian-hockey-league-players-eligible-div-i

Author : Greg Wyshynski

Publish date : 2024-11-07 22:00:38

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