CHL can now play NCAA - change everything !

[Corso]

I'm interested to see what a kid like Ryan Roobroeck does. He's a late 2007 & thus draft eligible in 2026, but has already proven to be one of the top producers in the O. He might feel a great challenge by going to Michigan, Boston University, etc as opposed to staying in Niagara.

I personally don't think Porter Martone is NHL ready next year, so going back to Brampton and not develop that much more seems pointless, which is why the NCAA rumors are quite intriguing for him.

No doubt. I mentioned the possibility of Roobroeck leaving for college after this year in the OHL board once and it wasn't well received . One thing to keep in mind is that a lot of CHL clubs are not completely helpless either. Lots of talk about new minimum standards that all teams have to abide by and those standards may include extra perks to keep players like Roobroeck firmly in the CHL until they turns pro.

 

[MS]

Is it just me or are most of the CHL guys committing to the NCAA are guys who probably would have went the Usports route or lower than AHL route in NA or Europe?

Yeah, the biggest change here so far is that CHL overage players who generally just went the USports route or went to some low-level Euro league now have a vastly better development opportunity for their next 4 years and are jumping at it in spades ... to the detriment of USHL-trained players. And that lots of BCHL/USHL types are jumping to the CHL to play at a higher level.

I'm sure we'll see the odd U-20 CHL player jump to the NCAA but I doubt it will be terribly common. If you're undrafted jumping into a fresh/unknown higher level represents a huge risk from just staying in the CHL and dominating, and if you're a drafted player it means you can't sign an ELC (which most high-drafted CHL players now do almost immediately) and are running a big risk of getting hurt, you don't get to go to NHL training camps, etc.

 

[Porter Stoutheart]

I wonder if this thread could sticky a list of CHLers who actually have committed to the NCAA jump after this season?

 

[jtechkid]

The USHL( on website ) I thought had a strange , defensive press release basically saying they have teams that want to join and basically said we are still the best league(with list of past players ect) . It looked very defensive and panic related probably too offset press that two teams want to leave and hired big time lawyer . They need to address :1, If teams want to join why hold up with the two teams that want to leave . 2, What’s the deal with the transfer fees and the league should put a cap on it at 5-10 k per players verse holding kids hostage that want move in different directions . BCHL press release basically said one of positive of its league can leave anytime . 3, What’s the relationship with the NHL going forward with this rule change . 4, Whats the league going to do with Omaha because it’s an utter disaster and my view only thing would be try to get new owner .

 

[Wieters]

Hence why I think hockey turns into quasi baseball with how the MLB Draft works for HS guys: those high end HS guys have an NCAA commitment lined up as a fall back option in case they aren't drafted high/aren't offered the slot money they want, but most sign and bypass university, forcing the NCAA coaches to fill spots through JUCO/portal/other new recruits

I don't think you can draw a 1:1 comparison between the NCAA in hockey versus baseball.

The AHL and minor league baseball are similar in one important way: no one wants to be in either of those leagues. But in baseball, there is no way around cutting your teeth in the minors (unless you have played in a professional league abroad, but that really only applies to the Japanese players coming over from the Nippon). So if you're an elite teenage baseball prospect coming out of either high school or Latin America, you might as well sign with the MLB team that drafted you rather than play in the NCAA because going to college does not mean you get to skip the minors and just means that your pathway to the MLB is going to take longer. Plus baseball draftees don't have a pathway to free agency the way that NHL draftees can conceivably run out the clock. College baseball really doesn't have much of a pitch to elite teenage prospects the way that college hockey does, which is why college baseball is almost entirely comprised of a) Americans who grew up wanting to go to college anyway and b) prospects who weren't particularly highly drafted coming out of high school.

Hockey is different in the sense that you could go to the NCAA and then skip the AHL completely in a way that you can't skip the minors in baseball. If you’re an elite hockey prospect, you can telegraph that you’re not going to sign until and unless you’re going to stick on an NHL roster and not be shipped down to the AHL. So the NCAA is a much more viable pathway for elite prospects in hockey to go to because prospects can conceivably stay with a college program that has a higher quality of life and better training facilities than the AHL until they're ready to go to the NHL directly.

 

[Corso]

The USHL( on website ) I thought had a strange , defensive press release basically saying they have teams that want to join and basically said we are still the best league(with list of past players ect) . It looked very defensive and panic related probably too offset press that two teams want to leave and hired big time lawyer . They need to address :1, If teams want to join why hold up with the two teams that want to leave . 2, What’s the deal with the transfer fees and the league should put a cap on it at 5-10 k per players verse holding kids hostage that want move in different directions . BCHL press release basically said one of positive of its league can leave anytime . 3, What’s the relationship with the NHL going forward with this rule change . 4, Whats the league going to do with Omaha because it’s an utter disaster and my view only thing would be try to get new owner .

Transfer fees are at a set rate before and after the season. A team does not have to release a player during the season or it can charge as much as it wants until the conclusion of play within that league. So the Kitchener Rangers will save close to 48k when they sign Valentini during the off season.

Schedules are being constructed now across various leagues so it is to late for Youngstown and Muskegon to join for the 25-26 season. Look for them to most likely enter the OHL the following year.

Omaha in all honesty is a complete S**T SHOW. That owner is giving the entire league a massive black eye and a bloody nose to boot!

I wonder if this thread could sticky a list of CHLers who actually have committed to the NCAA jump after this season?

There have been a total of 66 commitments directly from the CHL since November. There are currently 85 players in the three leagues that are committed to play D-1 hockey next year.

 

[Hockeyville USA]

Some recent commits:

Ty Higgins (2004, QMJHL, Rouyn Noranda Huskies) commits to Bowling Green

Nathan Piling (2004, WHL, Seattle Thunderbirds) commits to St Thomas

Austin Elliott (2004, OHL, London Knights) commits to UMass Lowell

 

[jtechkid]

Transfer fees are at a set rate before and after the season. A team does not have to release a player during the season or it can charge as much as it wants until the conclusion of play within that league. So the Kitchener Rangers will save close to 48k when the sign Valentini during the off season.

Schedules are being constructed now across various leagues so it is to late for Youngstown and Muskegon to join for the 25-26 season. Look for them to most likely enter the OHL the following year.

Omaha in all honesty is a complete S**T SHOW. That owner is giving the entire league a massive black eye and a bloody nose to boot!



There have been a total of 66 commitments directly from the CHL since November. There are currently 85 players in the three leagues that are committed to play D-1 hockey next year.

thx great reply ! learned a lot .

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Strange that the two teams the CHL fans told us would join the OHL announced they are staying in the USHL.

Almost like the OHL has been trying to unsettle the USHL by making noises they were going to take their teams and it was supposedly a formality to happen. Only problem seems to be there wasn’t substance behind it on the part of the teams.

 

[Corso]

Some recent commits:

Ty Higgins (2004, QMJHL, Rouyn Noranda Huskies) commits to Bowling Green

Nathan Piling (2004, WHL, Seattle Thunderbirds) commits to St Thomas

Austin Elliott (2004, OHL, London Knights) commits to UMass Lowell

Approaching close to 70 O/A commitments now. My initial estimation was around 75 to 90 but it may be well over 100 by the time summer rolls around.

Yet another solid pick up by Bowling Green in Ty Higgins.....was ranked in the top 20 for all 04 born in N.A. (Juniors) by NZ.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Strange that the two teams the CHL fans told us would join the OHL announced they are staying in the USHL.

Almost like the OHL has been trying to unsettle the USHL by making noises they were going to take their teams and it was supposedly a formality to happen. Only problem seems to be there wasn’t substance behind it on the part of the teams.

Yeah no substance here at all, sounds like those 2 teams are super happy with staying in the USHL lol

"Famed sports litigator Jeffrey Kessler of Winston & Strawn confirmed to Sportico's Michael McCann and Scott Soshnick that he has been retained by the Youngstown Phantoms and another team from the USHL".

Report: USHL teams hire anti-trust lawyer in battle to join OHL

After being denied permission to join the OHL in December, it appears two USHL teams aren't going to go down without a fight.

www.sportsnet.ca

 

[Kingpin794]

Yeah no substance here at all, sounds like those 2 teams are super happy with staying in the USHL lol

"Famed sports litigator Jeffrey Kessler of Winston & Strawn confirmed to Sportico's Michael McCann and Scott Soshnick that he has been retained by the Youngstown Phantoms and another team from the USHL".

Report: USHL teams hire anti-trust lawyer in battle to join OHL

After being denied permission to join the OHL in December, it appears two USHL teams aren't going to go down without a fight.

www.sportsnet.ca

But you see that article was written by the big bad Canadian illuminati so it's propaganda. /s

 

[Andy Dufresne]

"Kessler confirmed to Sportico that he is advising two USHL teams on their different options moving forward, including possible legal actions if they are still denied permission to join the OHL".

 

[Corso]

Strange that the two teams the CHL fans told us would join the OHL announced they are staying in the USHL.

Almost like the OHL has been trying to unsettle the USHL by making noises they were going to take their teams and it was supposedly a formality to happen. Only problem seems to be there wasn’t substance behind it on the part of the teams.

Pavel! You sir are to be commended for making all who use this medium aware of the nefarious plot by our eternal enemy to the north (I will not mention that dastardly nation's name) to undermine all that is pure and right within the organization we so proudly call USA HOCKEY!!!

I sincerely hope that you still maintain your hotline with our commander and chief Mike Trimboli and warn him of the dire situation we are in. The breadth and scope of this operation to forever place USA Hockey in a subordinate role is breathtaking in its scope and audacity! For all who may still be ignorant of our impending doom, please allow me to summarize what our hero, Pavel, has uncovered.

All the various scouting agencies have been co-opted, through what we believe to be the most effective propaganda campaign in history. It has been a true master class in its thorough success to have most of us believe that an unworthy non-American deserves to be ranked first over-all for the upcoming draft. To further sow confusion and doubt in our minds, the vast majority of the "ranked" players are foreign nationals!!!!!

Our esteemed tier 1 junior league has also been facing heavy pressure. OHL operatives have crafted a narrative that has us almost believing that two prominent franchises want to leave the warm embrace of the, as proudly and truthfully stated by the USHL, the best junior league in the world! So thorough is this deception that the hapless owners of both Muskegon and Youngstown inadvertently and as Pavel is finding out, unknowingly hired a high priced and famed litigator to explore the possibility of suing the league!!!!!!

Yes, yes I am well aware that many of you are saying this is to fantastical, unbelievable and plain insane. I say to you, however, TRUST IN PAVEL!!!!

I, humbly and with Pavel's blessings, state that the scouting agencies must once again place James Hagens as the prohibitive and undisputed number one ranked player for the upcoming draft! We also demand that Hagens be awarded 10 extra points as his PPG totals cannot be under players, who Pavel rightly claims were overrated, such as Celebrini and Fantili!!!! Furthermore, we demand that at least 12 American born players are placed in the first round, as the current low numbers are an insult to USA Hockey!

The OHL must immediately release the hostages, known as the Saginaw Spirit, Flint Firebirds and Erie Otters so that they may fulfill their express desire to join the premier junior league in the world! The OHL must then make full restitution to both Youngstown and Muskegon for damages done to their reputation and all legal expenses incurred!

We should demand the extradition of Jeff Marek, Elliot Freedman and Bob Mkenzie in order to be tried for agents of chaos and destruction that have subverted the wellbeing of USA Hockey!

Failure to meet these demands will be a call for....WAR!!!!!

 

[WarriorofTime]

Well this got weird.

Will be interested to see how the 2004 crew does. If they make a good instant impact, that’ll lead to better teams making more of a run at it.

 

[4thline]

Well this got weird.

Will be interested to see how the 2004 crew does. If they make a good instant impact, that’ll lead to better teams making more of a run at it.

I'm also very interested to see if there's any significant run of 05's that are waiting on the offseason to declare.

Will this be a double cohort instilling a "new normal" where the CHL OA year is essentially dead for players of note (ELC's to AHL, next tier to NCAA), does the OA year hold and NCAA becomes the non-pro logical next step, or somewhere in between?

 

[Kingpin794]

I'm also very interested to see if there's any significant run of 05's that are waiting on the offseason to declare.

Will this be a double cohort instilling a "new normal" where the CHL OA year is essentially dead for players of note (ELC's to AHL, next tier to NCAA), does the OA year hold and NCAA becomes the non-pro logical next step, or somewhere in between?

I think with the 05's you will see quite a few head to the NCAA in the offseason. But that will also be very dependent on what team they are on. On a projected contender where you'll get tons of exposure/points and impress someone, like the coach? Stay for an OA season. Stuck on a bottom feeder, hate the coach? Head for greener pastures. Overall the OA spot in the CHL is going to drop dramatically in quality. It won't be a guy who you're looking for 60-80 points out of anymore. It'll turn into a leadership/3rd line 40-50 pt type player.

 

[Corso]

I think with the 05's you will see quite a few head to the NCAA in the offseason. But that will also be very dependent on what team they are on. On a projected contender where you'll get tons of exposure/points and impress someone, like the coach? Stay for an OA season. Stuck on a bottom feeder, hate the coach? Head for greener pastures. Overall the OA spot in the CHL is going to drop dramatically in quality. It won't be a guy who you're looking for 60-80 points out of anymore. It'll turn into a leadership/3rd line 40-50 pt type player.

Some what surprised that more 05s have not made their intentions know. I'm assuming because most are waiting to see what spots and roles may be available for them the following season. It does stand to reason that the majority of the better ones, in time, will find their way into the D-1 ranks by their 20th birthday.

I was also made aware that O/A are paid more in stipends and are given other perks than the younger players, so this may have an impact on decisions made.

 

[Hockeyville USA]

Notable schools who haven't dipped into the CHL pool yet:

North Dakota
Michigan
Minnesota (no surprise, they recruit 90% Minnesotans except for goalies)
Michigan State
Boston College
Boston University

Expecting any to several of them to be big fish hunting this offseason and pursue the Gavin McKenna, Ryan Roobroeck, Beckham Edwards, Daxon Rudolph, Ryan Lin types who are 2026 Draft eligible, & you'd think they're going after a lot of the 2025 Draft guys that we've already gotten rumors about potentially coming to the NCAA like Porter Martone & Michael Misa, plus others such as Lynden Lakovic, Carter Bear, Ben Kindel, Jackson Smith, Brady Martin.

 

[Corso]

Notable schools who haven't dipped into the CHL pool yet:

North Dakota
Michigan
Minnesota (no surprise, they recruit 90% Minnesotans except for goalies)
Michigan State
Boston College
Boston University

Expecting any to several of them to be big fish hunting this offseason and pursue the Gavin McKenna, Ryan Roobroeck, Beckham Edwards, Daxon Rudolph, Ryan Lin types who are 2026 Draft eligible, & you'd think they're going after a lot of the 2025 Draft guys that we've already gotten rumors about potentially coming to the NCAA like Porter Martone & Michael Misa, plus others such as Lynden Lakovic, Carter Bear, Ben Kindel, Jackson Smith, Brady Martin.

I know of one player for certain who had more than just a "soft" commit to one of the above schools mentioned but had somewhat of a change of heart and is awaiting the decision as to whether his NHL team will offer an ELC or not. If his team does not extend an offer, then this 06 player will definitely be playing college hockey next season.

 

[WarriorofTime]

Notable schools who haven't dipped into the CHL pool yet:

North Dakota
Michigan
Minnesota (no surprise, they recruit 90% Minnesotans except for goalies)
Michigan State
Boston College
Boston University

Does Denver have any? May have missed. They're kind of the gold standard for "sweet spot" recruiting of getting NHL talent that sticks around for multiple years.

 

[Hockeyville USA]

Does Denver have any? May have missed. They're kind of the gold standard for "sweet spot" recruiting of getting NHL talent that sticks around for multiple years.

Eric Jamieson (2005, WHL, Everett Silvertips, 2024 Calgary 6th) committed to Denver but only Schlossman and EP Transfers has confirmed that IIRC

 

[WarriorofTime]

Eric Jamieson (2005, WHL, Everett Silvertips, 2024 Calgary 6th) committed to Denver but only Schlossman and EP Transfers has confirmed that IIRC

Gotcha, interesting one with a non-expiring draft prospect, as Calgary would have to sign by June 1, 2026 if they aren't going to move on. So if he played well enough, he'd have to get signed after only one year, so maybe that's the plan for now. Then from the other side of things, he could just decide to stay anyways even if they made an offer... which is kind of the big reason the CBA needs to get amended. Any draft prospect could just decide they don't like the team that drafted team and then go hide out on an NCAA team and go back into the Draft. The 2 year CHL deadline only really made sense when that coincided with the end of junior eligibility for first time go arounds.

 

[Hockeyville USA]

Gotcha, interesting one with a non-expiring draft prospect, as Calgary would have to sign by June 1, 2026 if they aren't going to move on. So if he played well enough, he'd have to get signed after only one year, so maybe that's the plan for now. Then from the other side of things, he could just decide to stay anyways even if they made an offer... which is kind of the big reason the CBA needs to get amended. Any draft prospect could just decide they don't like the team that drafted team and then go hide out on an NCAA team and go back into the Draft. The 2 year CHL deadline only really made sense when that coincided with the end of junior eligibility for first time go arounds.

Yes current rules would create a reverse Mike Van Ryn-esque loophole, which will get resolved with the new CBA, at least you'd think.

 

[Corso]

Eric Jamieson (2005, WHL, Everett Silvertips, 2024 Calgary 6th) committed to Denver but only Schlossman and EP Transfers has confirmed that IIRC

On NZ list of commits and a quick google search shows BVM sports confirming it.