Major rule change opens door to U.S. colleges for young Ontario hockey players

A major shift in policy by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) means young Ontario hockey players will now be eligible to attend and play at U.S. Division 1 schools after careers in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL).

The eligibility rule change announced today (Nov. 7) applies to all those who play under the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) which includes the Western Hockey League, Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League and the OHL.

Previously a player was not allowed to play in the NCAA if he stepped onto the ice for a CHL-affiliated team. Under the new rules, a qualified player will be able to receive a college or university education in the United States after competing at the highest level of junior hockey in Canada.

It also means, to a certain extent, that the CHL and NCAA will no longer have to compete for the same players who had to choose between the two programs. But, it could also see the CHL players leave early to play in the U.S.

The new eligibility rules will come into effect on Aug. 1, 2025.

“While we will take time to fully review this rule change, we believe this is a positive development that will provide our players with more opportunities to continue their hockey and academic careers following their time in the CHL,” a statement by the CHL reads. “It will also give young players and their families more options in choosing their development path, which includes opening up the CHL – the best development hockey league in the world for players aged 16-20 – to more players worldwide.”

The NCAA had long held that CHL players were professionals because they received monthly stipends to pay for expenses thus making them ineligible for U.S. colleges once they took part in a game.

It is believed the move by the NCAA was prompted by a class-action lawsuit that challenged the eligibility rules.

Several young Mississauga and Brampton athletes play hockey for CHL teams. Mississauga had a long-stranding team competing in OHL but the squad has moved to Brampton this season to become the Brampton Steelheads.