In a move that could reshape the landscape of college hockey, the NCAA Division I Council is poised to reconsider its stance on Canadian Hockey League (CHL) players competing at American universities. This week, the council is expected to deliberate on a proposed rule change that would grant CHL athletes eligibility to play at U.S. colleges.
The push for reform comes on the heels of a class-action lawsuit filed in August, challenging the NCAA’s ban on CHL players. The lawsuit, brought forth by attorneys Stephen Lagos and others, argues that the current policy unfairly restricts opportunities for talented young players.
Forrest Karr, executive director of the American Hockey Coaches Association and athletic director at Minnesota-Duluth, has been instrumental in driving the conversation around eligibility reform. Karr’s committee submitted recommendations to the NCAA, which are now under consideration by the council.
The proposed change could have far-reaching implications, potentially sparking increased competition between the CHL and NCAA for top college-age talent. The NCAA and CHL are North America’s premier breeding grounds for NHL draft-eligible players, and a rule change could redraw the lines of recruitment and competition.
In a related development, 20-year-old Braxton Whitehead recently became the first CHL player to verbally commit to a Division I U.S. college program, Arizona State University. Whitehead plans to play for the WHL’s Regina Pats this season before joining the Sun Devils in 2025-26.
At the heart of the issue is the NCAA’s categorization of the CHL’s three leagues as professional entities, which currently bars their players from competing at the collegiate level. However, CHL players receive a modest stipend for living expenses, which is not considered taxable income. In contrast, college athletes can receive scholarships and now have the opportunity to earn money through endorsements and name, image, and likeness deals.
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