CHL to NCAA Commits

[AUS Fan]

If they aren’t able to get NCAA guys coming just for their 5th year of eligibility…maybe the strategy the next few years will be to try and get the younger NCAA guys who are getting squeezed out of lineup due to the influx of CHL guys.

Every player has different priorities…I’m sure there are lots of guys who prioritize playing time/location/academics above everything. Maybe there are guys out there who would rather play top line minutes at a U Sports school vs. being a depth guy at an NCAA school.

A lot of these guys are Americans. If you look now, there aren't many Americans playing CIS.
The NCAA has 64 D1 teams plus 82 D3 schools so if a guy gets cut he has options. Also, if he is cut that means he's the 26th best (or the worse) player on that team.
I don't think there are any shortcuts. As Foyle mentioned, there are certain requirements (except for Bryce Swan) in order to get into a program.

It's still very early in the process with lots to figure out. There are 180 OA's and not all of them are going NCAA, Not all of them go to CIS each year. A lot of OUA teams get Junior A players and that may be where the AUS ends up. Hardly any MHL players go NCAA but some go to OUA, so they may end up in AUS.

 

[dm8895]

A lot of these guys are Americans. If you look now, there aren't many Americans playing CIS.
The NCAA has 64 teams plus 28 D2 schools so if a guy gets cut he has options. Also, if he is cut that means he's the 26th best (or the worse) player on that team.
I don't think there are any shortcuts. As Foyle mentioned, there are certain requirements (except for Bryce Swan) in order to get into a program.

It's still very early in the process with lots to figure out. There are 180 OA's and not all of them are going NCAA, Not all of them go to CIS each year. A lot of OUA teams get Junior A players and that may be where the AUS ends up. Hardly any MHL players go NCAA but some go to OUA, so they may end up in AUS.

Agreed , I think the only ex-NCAA guys we see are Canadians or years from now a guy who played in the CHL before playing D-1 as it is only D-1 allowing CHL players from what I understand .

 

[Rob]

I'll go back to my FISU comments - If someone wants to "better" themselves, I think it's a good thing. UNB fans have had it so good all these years and now that may be going away. I understand that. I also understand that a league must have some balance or teams will fold. I think that was part of the decision to shut down STU Men's program.
Guys left SMU for greener pastures and I was happy for them. I understood that it made the team weaker, but also allowed other players to step up.
I don't know how many times I've said this, but these guys are not professionals. They're students playing a high level of hockey. If they have a chance to play a higher level they'll take it.

This whole NCAA thing has opened up lots of new possibilities for guys that they never had before, and that's good. We fans have to accept it and get used to it. Not easy, but must be done.

Well I'm not even sure that the league will become more competitive. The top teams will probably still get pros that want to play University. The one thing for sure is that USports Hockey is going to decrease in quality.

 

[AUS Fan]

Well I'm not even sure that the league will become more competitive. The top teams will probably still get pros that want to play University. The one thing for sure is that USports Hockey is going to decrease in quality.

You're probably right. Many years ago AUAA hockey was mediocre with mostly High School players. Then some teams started bring in Major Junior players from Ontario and they got better. I recall Jack Drover always complaining about that. If you look at the "quality" of the CIS, It's not great now. I'm not knocking any team, but there are several in the OUA and a few in CW and AUS who will never win anything.

I have a feeling that you're looking at this through (UNB) red coloured glasses and don't want the ride to end and I get that. To me, it's just another part of the evolution of hockey and I'm interested how it turns out.

As I've said several times, we don't know where this will go. Some CIS guys may go to NCAA, some may be from UNB. If the "Pro rule" gets passed, some guys may end up at UNB and the status quo will be maintained.

 

[dm8895]

I get what Rob is saying , I think you are a bit to hung up on the UNB aspect of it , I would take UNB being a .500 team if it kept the calibre of play where it is at now and I know many UNB fans who would feel the same way. As much as we are UNB fans I think it gets lost that if we are active on a niche forum like this we are also CIS fans, the city is full of “UNB Hockey game people” but if you are on this forum I’m pretty confident you are a CIS hockey fan first.

 

[AUS Fan]

I get what Rob is saying , I think you are a bit to hung up on the UNB aspect of it , I would take UNB being a .500 team if it kept the calibre of play where it is at now and I know many UNB fans who would feel the same way. As much as we are UNB fans I think it gets lost that if we are active on a niche forum like this we are also CIS fans, the city is full of “UNB Hockey game people” but if you are on this forum I’m pretty confident you are a CIS hockey fan first.

Point taken.
I get what he's saying also, but I like to chirp the UNB guys. I'm not sure I agree with "many UNB fans who would be OK with a .500 team", regardless of the caliber. Perhaps you and a few others may be OK. Look at some of the posts on FISU where some were "worried" they may lose a game while guys were away. Look at the hand-wringing if they have an injury or lose 2 in a row. That doesn't look like happy with a .500 team group.

UNB posters dominate this forum with numbers, so it's easy to see a UNB slant in a lot of comments. But, without you guys there would be 2 people posting here.

Keep up the good work, trying to keep me honest.

 

[UNB Bruins Fan]

F - Adrian Misaljevic (Kitchener, OHL) to Clarkson

F - Michael Cicek (Kelowna, WHL) to Michigan Tech

 

[RED ARMY EAST]

F - Adrian Misaljevic (Kitchener, OHL) to Clarkson

F - Michael Cicek (Kelowna, WHL) to Michigan Tech

CHL has become the new feeder of NCAA hockey.

 

[UNB Bruins Fan]

CHL has become the new feeder of NCAA hockey.

I mean, did we expect anything else?

 

[AUS Fan]

I mean, did we expect anything else?

34 guys so far. Still lots of guys left for CIS teams.

 

[Hollywood3]

A few points:
1. This will neither increase nor decrease the number of teams.
2. This will neither increase nor decrease the number of players.
3. Some players who went major junior and are now doubtful about pro have an option.
4. NCAA teams have never been keen on players with only 1 or 2 years of eligibility.
5. There will be an initial push for the current crop.
6. Once the current crop is through the system, gone will be the player who skipped major junior to preserve NCAA eligibility.
7. The players covered by 6 will force some who would otherwise be major junior players into Junior A leagues, and those would be predominantly the group recruited into CIS.

As a result, few CIS teams would miss out on more than 1 or 2 recruits. The difference is that the same recruits obtained by CIS teams will not have major junior experience.

 

[dm8895]

Not sure on the rules on posting links that bypass paywalls … so you can do it yourself !

Interesting read .

Canadian university hockey teams feeling the pinch of NCAA hockey ruling

Coaches across Ontario University Athletics — and other U Sports leagues — are scrambling to navigate a radically shifting hockey scene ever since U.S. colleges decided to welcome Canada’s top junior players.

www.therecord.com

 

[AUS Fan]

Not sure on the rules on posting links that bypass paywalls … so you can do it yourself !

Interesting read .

Canadian university hockey teams feeling the pinch of NCAA hockey ruling

Coaches across Ontario University Athletics — and other U Sports leagues — are scrambling to navigate a radically shifting hockey scene ever since U.S. colleges decided to welcome Canada’s top junior players.

www.therecord.com

I paid my $1.15 and read the article.
Not really much info that was not already known from other sources.

I wonder who the player was that verbally committed to WLU and then had 4 NCAA offers? I didn't know WLU could attract those kind of players.

WLU coach says everyone is going South while WAT coach thinks not as many will go.
NIL is mentioned, but the money for hockey is nowhere near football money. A lot of NIL is just freebies from various sponsors to a player. Canadians will get a lot less because on a student visa.

One thing in the article was that 1/2 of WAT and 1/3 of WLU players have played CHL. A lot of Junior A guys.

The gist of the story is that things are in flux and teams will have to adapt.
Good to see that people on this site know as much as OUA coaches.

 

[AUS Fan]

Latest Snowbird update -

Current Team	Player Name	Pos.	College
Brandon Wheat Kings	NGUYEN, Marcus	RW	University of Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks
Calgary Hitmen	TULK, Oliver	C	University of Wisconsin Badgers
Drummondville Voltigeurs	WOODWORTH, Luke	C	University of Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks
Drummondville Voltigeurs	OLIVER, Sam	C	University of New Hampshire Wildcats
Everett Silvertips	COURTNEY, Beau	C	University of Alaska-Fairbanks Nanooks
Flint Firebirds	KONYEN, Evan	RW	Rochester Institute of Technology Tigers
Gatineau Olympiques	MINVILLE, Jeremie	C	Bowling Green State University Falcons
Kelowna Rockets	CICEK, Micheal	RW	Michegan Tech
Kingston Frontenacs	GUINDON, Cedrick	C	University of Vermont Catamounts
Kitchener Rangers	PARSONS, Jackson	G	Clarkson University Golden Knights
Kitchener Rangers	MISALJEVIC, Adrian	C	Clarkson University Golden Knights
London Knights	FIMIS, Andoni	RD	University of Vermont Catamounts
Moncton Wildcats	STEINMAN, Jacob	G	Bowling Green State University Falcons
Moose Jaw Warriors	DOWHANIUK, Keaton	RD	University of Alaska-Fairbanks Nanooks
North Bay Battalion	VAN STEENSEL, Owen	LW	Clarkson University Golden Knights
North Bay Battalion	LEBLANC, Andrew	C	Princeton University Tigers
North Bay Battalion	LEBLANC, Jacob	RD	Princeton University Tigers
Prince Albert Raiders	HILDEBRAND, Max	G	Bemidji State University Beavers
Red Deer Rebels	LARSON, Jhett	C	University of Alaska-Fairbanks Nanooks
Regina Pats	WHITEHEAD, Braxton	RW	Arizona State University Sun Devils
Rimouski Oceanic	FAUCHON, Jonathan	C	Providence College Friars
Rouyn-Noranda Huskies	CARR, Alex	RD	University of New Hampshire Wildcats
Saginaw Spirit	MANGONE, Calem	RW	Lake Superior State Univ. Lakers
Saskatoon Blades	SAUNDERSON, Benjamin	LD	Quinnipiac University Bobcats
Saskatoon Blades	SIEPMANN, Grayden	RD	University of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs
Soo Greyhounds	CARLISLE, Caeden	LD	University of Notre Dame
Spokane Chiefs	CRAMPTON, Brayden	RD	Bowling Green State University Falcons
Swift Current Broncos	DEZAINDE, Carlin	C	University of Connecticut Huskies
Swift Current Broncos	BIRNIE, Brady	C	Bemidji State University Beavers
Tri-City Americans	MACADAMS, Carter	LW	Northern Michigan University Wildcats
Tri-City Americans	SLOAN, Jake	C	Bowling Green State University Falcons
Vancouver Giants	LEVIS, Connor	C	Bowling Green State University Falcons
Victoria Royals	SCOTT, Tanner	C	Bowling Green State University Falcons
Wenatchee Wild	HAUSER, Daniel	G	University of Wisconsin Badgers
Windsor Spitfires	MORNEAU, Noah	C	Bowling Green State University Falcons

 

[hockeyinsiderusports]

I paid my $1.15 and read the article.
Not really much info that was not already known from other sources.

I wonder who the player was that verbally committed to WLU and then had 4 NCAA offers? I didn't know WLU could attract those kind of players.

WLU coach says everyone is going South while WAT coach thinks not as many will go.
NIL is mentioned, but the money for hockey is nowhere near football money. A lot of NIL is just freebies from various sponsors to a player. Canadians will get a lot less because on a student visa.

One thing in the article was that 1/2 of WAT and 1/3 of WLU players have played CHL. A lot of Junior A guys.

The gist of the story is that things are in flux and teams will have to adapt.
Good to see that people on this site know as much as OUA coaches.

Jackson Parsons confirmed rumour of commit to Laurier
Adrian Misaljevic - rumour to Laurier
Both now headed to Clarkson

 

[AUS Fan]

Slightly off topic, but I was looking at the commits from Junior A leagues for 2025-26 season and there are about 650 so far. Most schools have 10 or more commits for next season with several schools with 15 or more. The turnover can't be that large and with a roster limit of 26 there's not much room. I'm curious how that works.

 

[JMCx4]

Latest Snowbird update - ...

I realize climate change may be accelerating, but only Braxton Whitehead's commit to ASU from Regina can be credibly characterized as a "Snowbird" move. If warmer/milder climes are a motivation for relocation, the vast majority of willing hockey escapees might as well stay in Canada. Maybe another label should be used, like "Gold Miners" or "Fortune Hunters" ... or "Traitors" ...

 

[leafhky88]

I paid my $1.15 and read the article.
Not really much info that was not already known from other sources.

I wonder who the player was that verbally committed to WLU and then had 4 NCAA offers? I didn't know WLU could attract those kind of players.

WLU coach says everyone is going South while WAT coach thinks not as many will go.
NIL is mentioned, but the money for hockey is nowhere near football money. A lot of NIL is just freebies from various sponsors to a player. Canadians will get a lot less because on a student visa.

One thing in the article was that 1/2 of WAT and 1/3 of WLU players have played CHL. A lot of Junior A guys.

The gist of the story is that things are in flux and teams will have to adapt.
Good to see that people on this site know as much as OUA coaches.

That was my initial thought as well - Laurier's CHL experienced players (with the exception of goaltenders) tend to be players who play roughly half their junior careers in the CHL, with the other half in Jr. A / Jr. B. Most tend to be players who do not play their overage year in the CHL. My expectation was along the lines of AdamMcg83 thoughts from an earlier post - likely these types of players (Jr.A / CHL "tweeners") might end up the types who end up committing to say AUS schools if the previous high-end players (50-60 point CHL players, and perhaps even mid-tier CHL players) they had been recruiting were now going NCAA. I was expecting Laurier to be affected more by a trickle down effect rather than competing directly with the NCAA for a player. Given where Laurier is in the standings, this to me indicates this is more widespread than I even expected - teams like UNB/Alberta/SMU etc. would be less of a surprise to me.

 

[leafhky88]

Jackson Parsons confirmed rumour of commit to Laurier
Adrian Misaljevic - rumour to Laurier
Both now headed to Clarkson

Those would have been 2 very large recruits for Laurier.

Despite a 3-11-3 first half (sitting last in the OUA West), goaltending for Laurier IMO is one area where they have some depth (although Parsons would have the best pedigree which I am sure the coaching staff would not turn down) - they have 2 existing major junior experienced goaltenders + another with an unusual route (VHL, KHL, Olympics). Not sure if that would speak at all to the intentions to return of any of their existing goaltenders....

Misaljevic would likely be a good recruit to likely all USports teams. From memory, Laurier has had I think 5 50+ point CHL players in the last 10-15 years. That would have been a very large get for their program.

 

[AUS Fan]

Those would have been 2 very large recruits for Laurier.

Despite a 3-11-3 first half (sitting last in the OUA West), goaltending for Laurier IMO is one area where they have some depth (although Parsons would have the best pedigree which I am sure the coaching staff would not turn down) - they have 2 existing major junior experienced goaltenders + another with an unusual route (VHL, KHL, Olympics). Not sure if that would speak at all to the intentions to return of any of their existing goaltenders....

Misaljevic would likely be a good recruit to likely all USports teams. From memory, Laurier has had I think 5 50+ point CHL players in the last 10-15 years. That would have been a very large get for their program.

A verbal contract is not worth the paper it's written on. If there was no LOI, it's just a rumor, as hockeyinsider said.

 

[MiamiHockeyII]

A verbal contract is not worth the paper it's written on. If there was no LOI, it's just a rumor, as hockeyinsider said.

This is true. It's also true that NCAA Commitments are worth precisely the paper they are printed on. They are not contracts, and NCAA programs can (and often do) rescind their offer just as quickly as they gave it.

Those would have been 2 very large recruits for Laurier.

Despite a 3-11-3 first half (sitting last in the OUA West), goaltending for Laurier IMO is one area where they have some depth (although Parsons would have the best pedigree which I am sure the coaching staff would not turn down) - they have 2 existing major junior experienced goaltenders + another with an unusual route (VHL, KHL, Olympics). Not sure if that would speak at all to the intentions to return of any of their existing goaltenders....

Misaljevic would likely be a good recruit to likely all USports teams. From memory, Laurier has had I think 5 50+ point CHL players in the last 10-15 years. That would have been a very large get for their program.

These verbal commitments often take the form of "if I play USports, I am coming to Laurier" which is what likely happened here. They were probably 50-50 propositions at best.

 

[UNB Bruins Fan]

D - Tyson Jugnauth (Portland, WHL) to Michigan State.

This is an interesting case as Jugnauth previously played 1 1/2 seasons of NCAA with Wisconsin before joining Portland midway through the 23-24 season.

D - Noah Van Vliet (Niagara, OHL) to Sacred Heart

 

[AUS Fan]

D - Tyson Jugnauth (Portland, WHL) to Michigan State.

This is an interesting case as Jugnauth previously played 1 1/2 seasons of NCAA with Wisconsin before joining Portland midway through the 23-24 season.

D - Noah Van Vliet (Niagara, OHL) to Sacred Heart

Got 'em added to my spreadsheet.

 

[AUC Regular]

Add to the growing list.

F-Zachary Wigle- Barrie Colts, OHL- RIT ( Rochester Inst. of Tech. )

​

 

[UNB Bruins Fan]

F - Tyson Zimmer (Vancouver, WHL) to Niagara