NCAA votes to allow CHL players to gain college eligiblity

The NCAA voted Thursday to make Canadian Hockey League players eligible to play collegiate hockey as of next year.

Players to participate in major junior hockey or on professional teams will be allowed to retain NCAA eligibility so long as they haven't been paid more than their exact expenses as part of their respective leagues.

Young players to this point have been forced to decide between major junior hockey and the collegiate route. The CHL's umbrella leagues include the OHL, WHL, and 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 and academic careers following their time in the CHL," The Canadian entity said in a statement.

In September, Regina Pats (WHL) forward Braxton Whitehead verbally committed to Arizona State for next season despite eligibility rules not permitting it yet. He was the first CHL player to commit to a U.S. college since OHL player Rylan Masterson filed a class-action lawsuit earlier this year against the NCAA and 10 of its schools.

The CHL and NCAA have different agreements with the NHL for players to turn pro, but the NHL's current collective bargaining agreement is set until September 2026.