The rule change allowing CHL players to play NCAA hockey is certainly a wonderful development for those players. But is it a good thing for the CHL itself?
The answer to that question is both yes and no.
The rule change permitting CHL players to continue on to play NCAA hockey is enabling a number of top prospects who’d otherwise be required to give the three CHL leagues — the OHL, QMJHL and WHL — a pass, the opportunity to play in what’s considered the top developmental league in North American amateur hockey.
It’s certainly taking the pressure off of kids who were being forced at the age of 15 or 16 to make a major decision on the future path for their elite hockey development. Prior to this rule change, anyone playing even one game in the CHL was immediately declared ineligible for NCAA hockey.
“For many years, parents and players who were 15 years old had to make a decision on their academic careers at a really young age and were not allowed to play in the CHL, which is the best development league in the world, while they’re waiting to go to college,” CHL president Dan MacKenzie told Canadian Press. “And so now that pathway is going to converge, and they’re not going to have to worry about that.”
Even those people on the college side of the equation are of the opinion that ultimately, this is opening up all the doors of opportunity for young players, and that’s going to be for the betterment of all leagues.
“I think for the fairness of everybody, it’s the right decision,” former NHLer player and Wisconsin coach Tony Granato told Sportsnet. “You can go play in the (CHL), just like you play in the USHL, and you should be able to go to college.
“I think that’s the way it should be. At the end of day, if you’re looking to have hockey grow and make it better, I think this is an opportunity to look at it that way, and I think that’s what’s going to happen.”
Players Moving In Both Directions
Dozens of CHL players were quick to take advantage of the opportunity to grab an NCAA scholarship from the moment it became a reality in November of 2024. It’s giving several of them a chance to extend their hockey careers and to get a post-secondary education while still pursuing the possibility of a career in pro hockey.
Windsor Spitfires overage forward Ryan Abraham, 21, recently accepted a scholarship offer from the Northern Michigan Huskies.
“I never thought I would get the chance to play college hockey,” Abraham told the Windsor Star. “Now, I get to extend my career playing it.”
It’s especially prevalent for goalies. Most netminders tend to be late bloomers when it comes to development. You won’t often find a regular NHL goalie under the age of 25. By being able to take the college route following their junior days, it gives these netminders more time to refine their skills.
For instance, Andrew Oke, who backstopped the Saginaw Spirit to the 2023-24 Memorial Cup title, is committed to play at Lake Superior State next season.
Top Players Moving To CHL
At the same time, players who weren’t previously able to play in the CHL made the jump to those leagues once they knew it wouldn’t preclude their NCAA opportunity. Goaltender Rudy Guimond left Cedar Rapids of the USHL to join the QMJHL Moncton Wildcats. Playing for the CHL’s top-ranked team, Guimond went 16-0 during the regular season with a 1.73 GAA and .940 save percentage, along with three shutouts.
“When it opened up, Moncton is the best team in the country,” Guimond said. “I was like, ‘I gotta go there.’”
What If Top Stars Leave?
One concern for the CHL is that there’s always the chance that top CHL stars might look to move to the NCAA.
There’s been speculation that the Michigan Wolverines are pursuing two of the best current CHL players, Porter Martone of the Brampton Steelheads and 16-year-old WHL phenom Gavin McKenna of the Medicine Hat Tigers.
Meanwhile, the Boston Terriers are reportedly after Michael Misa of the Spirit. However, both Misa and Martone are expected to be high first-round picks in the NHL entry draft and could be jumping directly into the show next fall.
MacKenzie, though, is of the belief that the opposite will be happening and that the CHL will become the place top prospects are choosing first.
“We think the best players in the world — 16, 17, 18, 19 year olds — are going to want to play in the CHL,” MacKenzie said. “So we see the talent level of our league increasing and increasing pretty dramatically and being a real destination for players.”
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