On Thursday, the NCAA Division 1 Council approved a rule change that will make CHL players eligible to play NCAA hockey next season. The monumental decision could completely alter the way players think about CHL and NCAA hockey.
In a letter to the OHL community, Commissioner Brayn Crawford stated:
“This is a landmark decision that gives OHL players additional avenues and opportunities to pursue their hockey, academic and life goals upon graduation from our league. It also opens the OHL’s doors to talented young student athletes with NCAA aspirations, providing them the opportunity to take their game to the next level in the number one development league in the world.”
CHL players were previously barred from joining the NCAA due to receiving a monthly $600 stipend. In the eyes of the NCAA, this made them “professionals.”
The new ruling states that CHL players will be allowed to join the NCAA so long as they are not paid more than what would cover actual and necessary expenses.
The three leagues that make up the CHL are the Western Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League and the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
The ruling will have wide-reaching implications for junior leagues across North America. The big question remains how will this impact OHL players?
Background
A lawsuit filed during the Summer alleged that barring CHL players from the NCAA constituted a breach of antitrust laws. Many viewed the lawsuit as a legitimate threat to the NCAA since there seemed to be very few defenses that would counter the accusations.
Rumors began to swirl about negotiations between the CHL and the NCAA and before long Braxton Whitehead of the Regina Pats became the first CHL player to commit to an NCAA school.
The news broke in September that Whitehead had committed to play for Arizona State next season. The move suggested that Arizona State was at least reasonably certain that change was coming.
Since then, several other players have committed to NCAA schools while multiple players in the USHL have moved over to join OHL teams. Just last week, Ottawa Senators prospect Blake Montgomery left the Lincoln Stars in the USHL to join the London Knights.
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While some players with NCAA commitments have moved to the OHL there are still many more who remain in the USHL including young stars like Adam Valentini. It remains to be seen how player movement will continue.
No need to choose
Prior to the rule change young players faced the difficult decision of whether to join the CHL and thus burn their NCAA eligibility or remain at a lower level and work towards a future in the NCAA.
What was attractive about the NCAA was the possibility of an education while continuing to develop as a hockey player. In order to have those benefits though players needed to forgo playing at the top level domestically.
The CJHL notably benefited from the situation, as Tier II hockey in Canada became the designated route for players looking to play NCAA hockey. However, the changes could be a substantial blow to the CJHL and BCHL.
How does this impact the OHL?
The major implication for the OHL is that they, along with the WHL and QMJHL will become the only route for elite hockey players in Canada. Now that the drawback of burning the NCAA eligibility is gone, there is no reason why an elite player looking to improve would forgo joining the CHL.
Players like Adam Valentini and Ryder Cali, who were both first-round picks in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection, will become rare. Both elected to play Tier II rather than join their OHL club.
Credit: Dan Hickling/OHL Images
Additionally, it will become more attractive for American-born players to join OHL teams as they work towards NCAA commitments.
This should make the league stronger overall with more talent flowing into the league. This will hurt fringe players and potentially strengthen CJHL teams as fourth-line OHL players could be pushed down to Tier II.
Another potential outcome is that overage players become a thing of the past. Rather than play their final year in the OHL, it is understandable that they may transition onto NCAA rosters.
This would lower the average age of players in the league and make more room for young players on OHL rosters.
Finally, there have been rumors that the OHL is looking into expanding. Jeff Marek reported several weeks ago that several USHL teams approached the OHL about joining the league.
OHL/USHL news – Sometime before the season began both the Youngstown Phantoms and Muskegon Lumberjacks formally approached the OHL about joining the league. No word about where it stands now or how it would/could happen but there were conversations.
— Jeff Marek (@JeffMarek) October 22, 2024
OHL Commissioner Bryan Crawford has stated that he is open to expansion and is examining several markets that could make sense for the league.
Asked OHL commish. Bryan Crawford and CHL pres. Dan Mackenzie about expansion last week. Both said they were open to exploring and considering growth. OHL BoG would have to stamp it and CHL gets a second layer of approval. Both know they have to be open-minded about what’s next. https://t.co/tQkx03wL7Z
— Scott Wheeler (@scottcwheeler) October 22, 2024
Conclusions
It seems like the major ramifications of the NCAA rule changes are that the league will become younger and more skilled. This should lead to a streamlining of the elite talent in the OHL as a path is established from the CHL to the NCAA to the NHL.
Without a doubt, this will make the OHL, WHL and QMJHL the premiere development leagues in North America. The result could be a more skilled, younger and potentially larger OHL.
All of which should be incredibly appealing to OHL fans no matter what team they cheer for.
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