NCAA Changes Eligibility for CHL Hockey Players

The NCAA Division I Council has voted to allow Canadian Hockey League (CHL) players to retain eligibility for NCAA Division I hockey starting August 1, 2025, reversing a long-standing rule that classified CHL players as professionals and barred them from college hockey. The rule change requires CHL players to receive no more than actual and necessary expenses to maintain eligibility. This development is expected to significantly impact the hockey talent pool, providing players with more flexibility in their development pathways between the CHL and NCAA. The decision follows legal challenges and aligns with recent trends in adapting amateurism rules, such as those concerning NIL rights. The shift is anticipated to reshape recruitment and development dynamics across both the NCAA and CHL leagues.