New NCAA rule lets CHL players join Division 1 men’s hockey, reshaping Canada’s player pipeline and creating ripple effects across leagues.
Rule Change Sparks Hockey Shake-Up
A landmark NCAA decision is changing the path for Canadian hockey players. On Aug. 1, 2025, new rules came into effect allowing Canadian Hockey League (CHL) athletes to play NCAA Division 1 men’s hockey. The move ends decades of strict separation between the two systems and is already altering the makeup of junior and university rosters across North America.
Why the Decision Matters
Before the rule change, players were forced to choose between the CHL or pursuing an NCAA route through Junior A hockey, often making life-altering decisions in their mid-teens. Now, CHL athletes can pursue both paths, opening doors to higher education while maintaining professional aspirations. Pierre Arsenault, CEO of U Sports, calls it “a destabilizing but inevitable shift” that will take time for leagues to fully understand.
Impact on Canadian Teams
The effects are most visible in the Western Hockey League (WHL). The Victoria Royals lost six players to U.S. colleges, including NHL first-round pick Cole Reschny and top 2026 draft prospect Keaton Verhoeff, who both committed to the University of North Dakota. Royals general manager Jake Heisinger says the team is adjusting on the fly, balancing development with the reality that players may leave earlier than expected.
Players Embrace New Choices
For young stars, the NCAA option is a welcome development. Reschny described the previous system as “tough,” forcing 14-year-olds into early career-defining choices. Verhoeff echoed the sentiment, saying the opportunity to face older NCAA competition was too valuable to pass up, even if it meant leaving behind teammates he considered family.
Shifting Recruitment Strategies
The ripple effects extend beyond the CHL. U Sports, Canada’s university sports governing body, has seen CHL recruits fall from 44.4% of its incoming hockey players last year to just 16% this season. At the same time, Junior A and BCHL players now make up over 62% of new recruits. BCHL commissioner Steven Cocker says the league is doubling down on its reputation as an academic-focused pathway, noting it already supplied a quarter of NCAA Division 1 rosters last season.
What Comes Next
The change is redefining how Canadian hockey talent develops. Teams like the Royals are signing prospects, such as 16-year-old Eli McKamey, who plan to spend only a short time in the CHL before heading to U.S. colleges. For players, the reform means more flexibility and opportunity. For leagues, it signals a new era of competition for talent and a reimagining of what the Canadian hockey pipeline looks like.
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