WHL's Whitehead commits to ASU despite NCAA eligibility rules

Regina Pats forward Braxton Whitehead verbally committed to Arizona State University for the 2025-26 season despite rules preventing players who've competed in the CHL from playing in the NCAA.

"(ASU's) slogan is 'Be the Tradition,' and I think they love the idea of me being a trailblazer throughout all this and paving the way with NCAA and CHL relations," Whitehead told ESPN's Greg Wyshynski on Thursday. "I'm very hopeful that (the rules) will turn over before the 2025-26 season."

Whitehead is the first CHL player to commit to a U.S. college since OHL player Rylan Masterson filed a class-action lawsuit against the NCAA and 10 of its schools in August claiming the eligibility rules go against antitrust laws. The goal of the legal action is to permit players to play in both Canadian major junior and U.S. college hockey.

The NCAA considers CHLers ineligible because some have signed professional contracts with NHL teams. CHL players also get a maximum monthly stipend of $250.

Masterson's proposed class action suit "sparked my interest," Whitehead told Wyshynski, adding that he sent letters to multiple NCAA programs, but Arizona State was his top choice.

"I kind of hit the lottery with the timing of all that's going on right now," Whitehead said. "I think (the suit) gave me that extra step just to put myself out there and try something that's never been done before."

Whitehead is entering his fifth season with the Pats. The 20-year-old Alaska-born center produced at a point-per-game rate with Regina last season, notching 17 goals and 35 assists in 52 contests.