The NCAA Division I Council has cleared the way for players with Canadian Hockey League experience to compete at U.S. colleges starting next season.
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NCAA lifts eligibility ban in allowing Canadian Hockey League players to compete at US colleges
The NCAA Division I Council approved a rule Thursday allowing players with Canadian Hockey League experience to compete at U.S. colleges starting next season, a landmark decision that has the potential of shaking up the NHL’s two largest sources of developmental talent.
The decision, effective Aug. 1, lifts the NCAA’s longstanding ban on CHL players who were previously deemed to be professionals because they received a stipend of up to $600 per month for living expenses.
The approval was expected after the council introduced a proposal to lift the ban last month. Players competing at the major junior level or on professional teams can retain NCAA eligibility as long as they are not paid more than actual and necessary expenses.
The decision also applies to skiing, bringing both in line with NCAA eligibility rules for other sports
In doing so, the council opened the door for a major change in how players approaching their 16th birthdays decide where to play. Rather than having to choose between one or the other, CHL players can now play NCAA hockey when they become college eligible.
“Everyone expected the rule to change. Now we will have to adapt,” Central Collegiate Hockey Association Commissioner Don Lucia wrote in a text to The Associated Press. “There may be a few issues as we transition. But hopefully, in time, it will prove to be a positive change for all involved.”
Just sayin': Are we talking about a lot of players here that would be very good at NCAA Div 1 hockey? If so, there are only 64 NCAA Div 1 hockey teams and obviously Ohio State is one of them. Recruitment will be very competitive with the top schools for the best players. Ohio State would need to put in place the necessary things to be competitive, i.e. which 2 major things would would include a new hockey arena and adequate available NIL money.