“Major Junior” players can become eligible Aug. 1, 2025

by Bryan Zollman, Let’s Play Hockey

The NCAA Division I Council voted today to allow Canadian Hockey League players eligibility for participation in NCAA Division I Hockey.

The Canadian Hockey League, known as “Major Junior Hockey”, is comprised of 60 teams and more than 1,100 players. In years past, once those players joined a CHL team they were not eligible to play NCAA Hockey. That has now changed as CHL players will become eligible beginning August 1, 2025.

The rule states that players may be eligible as long as they are not compensated to play in the CHL above necessary expenses for their participation. The rule also only allows eligibility for Division I hockey, not Division III.

The Canadian Hockey League was formed in 1975 and consists of member leagues: Western Hockey League (WHL), Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL).

“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 hockey and academic careers following their time in the the CHL,” the league said in a statement. “It will also give young players and their families more options in choosing their development path.”

Currently, players ages 16-20 are eligible to play in the CHL. The CHL has had a strong pipeline to the NHL with 390 players NHL rosters this season. In last year’s NHL Draft, 88 CHL players were chosen including 14 in the first round.

“We remain strongly committed to carrying on the tradition of success on the ice while embracing the enhanced academic options that this rule change will present off the ice,” the statement said.

How this effects other junior leagues such as the North American Hockey League (NAHL) and United States Hockey League (USHL) remains to be seen. The USHL issued a statement upon the breaking news of the rule change.

“Since its inception, the United States Hockey League (USHL) development model has been holistically and intentionally aligned with the student-athlete experience.

The USHL remains the world’s premier development path. All aspects of the League are focused on preparing athletes for collegiate and professional hockey, inclusive of on-ice, academic and character development.

The USHL claims more than half of NCAA Division I men’s ice hockey players, while producing more NHL draft picks than any other league in the world over the past eight seasons. The USHL prepares players by providing them exposure, resources and experiences that empower young men for peak success.”

College Hockey Inc. answers some pertinent questions about the rule change HERE.

This is a developing story and Let’s Play Hockey will continue to cover the potential impact the rule change has on the high school, junior and college hockey landscape.