The NCAA Ruling to allow CHL players into NCAA is already having a significant impact on the landscape of Jr hockey.
Most impacted seems to be the BCHL, where a significant number of standout player have left their respective teams to join teams in Major Junior, as their NCAA eligibility is no longer affected by participation in Major Junior Hockey. This represents a seismic shift in the landscape where their once was two career pathways in Canadian Junior Hockey, a Pro Pathway and an NCAA Pathway.
Furthermore, Canadian Jr A (or Tier II) and US Tier I & II Jr A are having closed door meetings to determine a course of action that could greatly change the landscape, as the ruling affects everything from marketing, to recruitment, retention, and profitability.
On the US side, the USPHL continues to expand at both the NCDC, Premier and Elite levels, thereby continuing to capture large swaths of territory throughout the United States. Their college placements however, continue to suffer with only 2 current players (5 other Alumni commits- meaning they committed while playing in another league) in their 60 + team league announcing NCAA commitments. click on link to view- 2024-25 Commitments | USPHL Premier Division
The NA3HL has announced ZERO NCAA or ACHA commitments- College Commitments | North American Tier III Hockey League | NA3HL
Comparatively, the EHL with its now reduced number of teams has 12 current season commitments- (click on link to view) – 2024-25 NCAA Commitments
Stay tuned to this ongoing story as the landscape is sure to change in the coming months and years for Jr hockey here in North America and College Hockey everywhere.
BY Andrew Trimble
