NCAA / CHL Lawsuit

[AUS Fan]

"The top USports programs should still be able to recruit the best available players - they are destination hockey schools. But the overall talent level is probably going to drop a bit."

The best available player next year may not be as good as the best available player this year because he may have gone to NCAA. UNB will still get the best player.

I can't see many "pure" MHL guys going to AUS schools unless there is no one else available. The 2 guys at SMU (Chisholm and MacDonald) had a fair bit of QMJHL time.

I know I'm an aberration (in more ways than one) when it comes to hockey, but I don't want to see any team win or lose 10-0. The only time I felt differently was the 1993 CIAU final when ACA destroyed UofT 12-1 and only because the TSN guys were dumping on the AUAA.

The guys who play CIS are not looking to go to the NHL. They know they aren't going to the NHL, so they are getting a degree. As long as the hockey is entertaining, I'm happy.

 

[Corso]

The top USports programs should still be able to recruit the best available players - they are destination hockey schools. But the overall talent level is probably going to drop a bit. Oh well.

Honest question here (very ill informed about most things U-Sports related) but what do schools like UNB and other top schools offer that make them a destination and how do they compare with say even the mid-range D-1 schools, in terms of facilities, coaching and general development?

 

[FreddyFoyle]

Honest question here (very ill informed about most things U-Sports related) but what do schools like UNB and other top schools offer that make them a destination and how do they compare with say even the mid-range D-1 schools, in terms of facilities, coaching and general development?

The top USports programs, such as UNB, Alberta, UQTR, etc., do most of your list. They try to max out their scholarship pool (known as Athletic Financial Awards, or AFAs), they have good, well-maintained facilities, they have full-time head coaches and associate coaches, they have strength and conditioning coaches and all the other support you would expect from a Div I school or pro team, they put a lot of effort into recruiting, they have decent fan bases, and they have a record of developing players to graduate to pro hockey in Europe, ECHL, AHL and sometimes even the NHL. Bottom line, they are serious about winning, which is important considering most Canadian university undergraduate programs are pretty similar (they are all public universities, even those who see themselves as Canadian Ivies).

Teams like UNB and Alberta aren't as skilled as the top Div I teams with all of their first round draft picks, but they can hold their own and avoid being blown out, and they often win preseason games against the middile of the pack teams.

 

[AUS Fan]

Honest question here (very ill informed about most things U-Sports related) but what do schools like UNB and other top schools offer that make them a destination and how do they compare with say even the mid-range D-1 schools, in terms of facilities, coaching and general development?

Excellent question. The answer is that no one knows because NCAA D1 was not an option.

In the past, programs like University of Alberta and more recently, UNB could almost guarantee that they would be playing in the University Cup, giving exposure to scouts for their players.

Even with the new rules, I can't see top end players going to a mid-range school that will never win anything. They will want to go to the top NCAA programs, but even with that, if these guys are age 20, will a top NCAA school want them? Maybe...

I think the NCAA is looking for the next Fantilli or Celebrini coming out of the CHL after a year or 2 instead of the USHL.

Things should be a lot clearer this spring/summer when CIS schools are recruiting overagers and are told that they are going NCAA.

bungdropper has a post where he shows NCAA commits from OA's.

- Braxton Whitehead, F (Regina) - Arizona State
- Jackson Parsons, G (Kitchener) - Clarkson
- Calem Mangone, F (Saginaw) - Lake Superior State
- Tanner Scott, F (Victoria) - Bowling Green State
- Brayden Crampton, D (Spokane) - Bowling Green State
- Jake Sloan, F (Tri-City) - Bowling Green State
- Max Hildebrand, G (Prince Albert) - Bemidji State
- Beau Courtney, F (Everett) - Alaska-Fairbanks

I don't know anything about these players to determine if they would be top recruits to top CIS schools.

 

[AUS Fan]

Long-time lurker, first-time poster.

I've been doing a running tally of the overage CHL players who have committed to NCAA teams. Not sure if I've missed any, but...

- Braxton Whitehead, F (Regina) - Arizona State
- Jackson Parsons, G (Kitchener) - Clarkson
- Calem Mangone, F (Saginaw) - Lake Superior State
- Tanner Scott, F (Victoria) - Bowling Green State
- Brayden Crampton, D (Spokane) - Bowling Green State
- Jake Sloan, F (Tri-City) - Bowling Green State
- Max Hildebrand, G (Prince Albert) - Bemidji State
- Beau Courtney, F (Everett) - Alaska-Fairbanks

Will update regularly.

Where did you find this list?

You can add Jack Pridham, released by West Kelowna Warriors, to the Kitchener Rangers of the OHL. The 19-year-old, Stouffville, Ont. product is committed to Boston University, for 2025-26.

Charlottetown Islanders, QMJHL get UMaine 2026-27 commit Jude Herron.

Ottawa Senators prospect Blake Montgomery has left USHL Lincoln Stars to join the London Knights of the OHL. The Maryland-born forward is committed to Wisconsin.

 

[bungdropper]

Where did you find this list?

You can add Jack Pridham, released by West Kelowna Warriors, to the Kitchener Rangers of the OHL. The 19-year-old, Stouffville, Ont. product is committed to Boston University, for 2025-26.

Charlottetown Islanders, QMJHL get UMaine 2026-27 commit Jude Herron.

Ottawa Senators prospect Blake Montgomery has left USHL Lincoln Stars to join the London Knights of the OHL. The Maryland-born forward is committed to Wisconsin.

Got the list from a combo of Elite Prospects and the WHL & OHL websites.

The guys I listed are just the OA guys currently in the CHL who've committed to NCAA schools since the rule change (though Whitehead was before). I don't know a ton about most of those players, but on the surface they look like the kinda guys who very likely would've found homes in U Sports.

Pridham, Herron, Montgomery are notable because they're prime examples of guys who went to junior leagues where they could retain NCAA eligibility but bailed now that CHL's an option. (I think there have been a few others too, though the names escape me at the moment - I know Victoriaville's first-rounder was in the BCHL and he's joining les Tigres now.)

Not sure how many more players are going to jump junior leagues mid-season, but next season's gonna look very, very different.

 

[dm8895]

I know I'm an aberration (in more ways than one) when it comes to hockey, but I don't want to see any team win or lose 10-0. The only time I felt differently was the 1993 CIAU final when ACA destroyed UofT 12-1 and only because the TSN guys were dumping on the AUAA.

Any level of competitive hockey can be great hockey as long as the teams are even. I’ve seen tons of Jr.A/B games and Senior hockey games that were far “better” games than I’d see at the Aitken Centre in the run of a year , honestly the best hockey game I’ve ever seen might be a midget AA game at SEDMHA I had family playing in. I was basically born into UNB fandom but I’m lying if I tell you I get excited to watch them play Dalhousie, I’m pretty sure I’m one of the few UNB fans you could count on one hand praying for parity . For every UNB fan I know who loves watching them steam roll everyone , I know 5 guys at Thursday night hockey who don’t bother going to UNB games because it’s a foregone conclusion.

 

[bungdropper]

Jacob Steinman, G (Moncton) - Bowling Green State

Bowling Green's got commits from four CHL guys so far. It'll be interesting to see how that works out for them.

 

[AUS Fan]

Jacob Steinman, G (Moncton) - Bowling Green State

Bowling Green's got commits from four CHL guys so far. It'll be interesting to see how that works out for them.

Bowling Green will be no better than last year. They're a .500 team in their conference.

 

[dm8895]

Hockey U Sports: «On ne disparaîtra pas, bien au contraire»

Avec le changement de réglementation concernant l’admissibilité des joueurs de la Ligue canadienne de hockey (LCH) dans la NCAA, le circuit U Sports a encaissé un coup qui ne fait pas du bien, c’est évident. Si les programmes des universités sont appelés à s’ajuster dès maintenant, ça n’annonce...

www-lenouvelliste-ca.translate.goog

(Translated to English)

 

[AUS Fan]

Meeting has been called between @NAHLHockey, @USHL and @usahockey to discuss the changing landscape of Jr. Hockey and its effect on @ncaa_hockey scheduled for 11/18 in Plymouth, according to multiple sources.

 

[JMCx4]

Bowling Green will be no better than last year. They're a .500 team in their conference.

In an extraordinary season, that is.

 

[MiamiHockeyII]

Meeting has been called between @NAHLHockey, @USHL and @usahockey to discuss the changing landscape of Jr. Hockey and its effect on @ncaa_hockey scheduled for 11/18 in Plymouth, according to multiple sources.

Currently, the USHL covers all player costs but does not provide any scholarship funds.
The NAHL covers playing costs, but players must pay to billet ($300 USD / month).
Both are going to be nervous because they can't compete with the CHL financially - they have relied on the NCAA eligibility rules to support their model.

 

[Corso]

Currently, the USHL covers all player costs but does not provide any scholarship funds.
The NAHL covers playing costs, but players must pay to billet ($300 USD / month).
Both are going to be nervous because they can't compete with the CHL financially - they have relied on the NCAA eligibility rules to support their model.

True and some USHL franchises are pretty stingy in covering all player costs (sticks, equipment ect).

 

[Drummer]

They (top end players) will want to go to the top NCAA programs, but even with that, if these guys are age 20, will a top NCAA school want them? Maybe...

For me - that will be the 'tell' for USPORTS. If the NCAA teams take/entice 20 and 21 year-olds or do they (NCAA Teams) stick to their 4-6 year recruiting plans. If the CHL over-ager isn't going south and wants to take advantage of their package - USPORTS remains their best option.

 

[MiamiHockeyII]

For me - that will be the 'tell' for USPORTS. If the NCAA teams take/entice 20 and 21 year-olds or do they (NCAA Teams) stick to their 4-6 year recruiting plans. If the CHL over-ager isn't going south and wants to take advantage of their package - USPORTS remains their best option.

I find it hard to imagine any 20/21 year old choosing the NCAA over an NHL ELC. You'd be insane to choose a 40 game NCAA schedule over playing in the AHL.
So, the NCAA and USports will be competing for 20/21 year olds who do not have NHL deals on the table. For most of those players, using the the CHL package in Canada is as enticing as a Full Div I scholarship, because the CHL package covers Room and Board, and of course USports teams find creative ways to (ahem) cover additional costs, such as hiring athletes to work camps. Put plainly, a Canadian can make money playing hockey in Canada, but cannot do so in the US while on a student VISA (see, e.g., Zach Edey),
So the real question is the extent to which Canadian OA players without an ELC view the NCAA as a pathway to the NHL. Once all the top players head to the CHL instead of the NCAA, I think the NCAA will no longer have NHL development as its sales pitch.
Nobody knows what will happen, but I agree that USports is not really going to be hurt, especially the teams that have $$$$ to support their players.

 

[AUS Fan]

I think some top players will end up in the NCAA after a year or 2 in the CHL. The big losers will be BCHL and USHL, as players leave for the CHL.

A 2-way NHL or 1-way AHL contract is more attractive than any NCAA offer.

There may be the odd OA who goes to an NCAA school, but I think that concern is overblown. If he's not going pro, he's going CIS.

The status quo will remain the same, with good OA's going to the top CIS schools as usual.

The ECHL will always be an option, but as I've said in the past - A CIS player is good enough to play in the ECHL, but smart enough not to.

 

[JMCx4]

... The ECHL will always be an option, but as I've said in the past - A CIS player is good enough to play in the ECHL, but smart enough not to.

Survival instinct.

 

[UNB Bruins Fan]

Drummondville overager - and NB native - Sam Oliver has committed to the University of New Hampshire for next season. Another guy that probably would have been on a lot of U Sports teams radar.

 

[AUS Fan]

CHL players committed to NCAA teams -

Current Team	Player Name	Pos.	College	Starting Year	Date
Ontario Hockey League (OHL)​
Erie Otters	HUGHES, Callum	C	Boston University Terriers	2025-26	10/04/22
Flint Firebirds	REID, Hayden	LW	University of Minnesota Golden Gophers	2025-26	10/15/23
Kitchener Rangers	PARSONS, Jackson	G	Clarkson University Golden Knights	2025-26	11/07/24
Kitchener Rangers	ELLIS, Haeden	C	Northeastern University Huskies	2026-27	08/01/23
Kitchener Rangers	PRIDHAM, Jack	RW	Boston University Terriers	2025-26	04/11/22
London Knights	MONTGOMERY, Blake	LW	University of Wisconsin Badgers	2025-26	09/09/24
Saginaw Spirit	MANGONE, Calem	RW	Lake Superior State Univ. Lakers	2025-26	11/12/24
Sarnia Sting	BEAMISH, Liam	C	Penn State University Nittany Lions	2026-27	01/09/24
Soo Greyhounds	CHARRON, Jordan	RW	St. Lawrence University Saints	2026-27	08/09/24
Sudbury Wolves	ECCLESTON, Kimani	LW	Union College Dutchmen	2025-26	12/05/23
Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)​
Charlottetown Islanders	HERRON, Jude	C	University of Maine Black Bears	2026-27	08/02/24
Chicoutimi Sagueneens	WASMER, Julien	LD	University of Maine Black Bears	2025-26	10/17/23
Moncton Wildcats	STEINMAN, Jacob	G	Bowling Green State University Falcons	2025-26	11/18/24
Rimouski Oceanic	BELZIL, Thomas	C	UMass Amherst Minutemen	2025-26	08/02/23
Shawinigan Cataractes	BEAULIEU, Olivier	LD	Clarkson University Golden Knights	2025-26	09/19/24
Sherbrooke Phoenix	LABBÉ, Kyan	G	Union College Dutchmen	2026-27	05/06/24
Sherbrooke Phoenix	BENOIT, Robin	C	University of Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks	2026-27	08/11/23
Western Hockey League (WHL)​
Everett Silvertips	COURTNEY, Beau	C	University of Alaska-Fairbanks Nanooks	2025-26	11/14/24
Everett Silvertips	LEGALL, Raiden	G	Bemidji State University Beavers	2026-27	11/16/23
Kelowna Rockets	BENSON, Levi	LW	Arizona State University Sun Devils	2026-27	03/01/24
Moose Jaw Warriors	BROWN, Casey	RW	Arizona State University Sun Devils	2025-26	10/20/22
Prince Albert Raiders	HILDEBRAND, Max	G	Bemidji State University Beavers	2025-26	11/14/24
Regina Pats	WHITEHEAD, Braxton	RW	Arizona State University Sun Devils	2025-26	09/13/24
Spokane Chiefs	CRAMPTON, Brayden	RD	Bowling Green State University Falcons	2025-26	11/14/24
Swift Current Broncos	BIRNIE, Brady	C	Bemidji State University Beavers	2025-26	11/18/24
Tri-City Americans	SLOAN, Jake	C	Bowling Green State University Falcons	2025-26	11/14/24
Tri-City Americans	VIRK, Savin	RW	Michigan State University Spartans	2026-27	08/19/23
Victoria Royals	SCOTT, Tanner	C	Bowling Green State University Falcons	2025-26	11/14/24
Wenatchee Wild	HAUSER, Daniel	G	University of Wisconsin Badgers	2025-26	11/22/24
Wenatchee Wild	DUNPHY, Brendan	LD	University of Connecticut Huskies	2026-27	09/09/24
Wenatchee Wild	MCCLOSKEY, Lukas	RD	U.S. Military Academy (Army) Black Knights	2025-26	07/08/24
Wenatchee Wild	RIOS, Shaun	LW	Lindenwood University Lions	2025-26	02/27/24

 

[UNB Bruins Fan]

I just looked up 8-10 of those guys (particularly the BU/Wisconsin/Northeastern commits)….all guys who were playing in the BCHL/USHL until the rule change and then went to the CHL, so they appeared to be going the NCAA route all along…none are “overagers”. In other words, nobody that was going to be recruited by U SPORTS teams this year.

 

[AUS Fan]

I just looked up 8-10 of those guys (particularly the BU/Wisconsin/Northeastern commits)….all guys who were playing in the BCHL/USHL until the rule change and then went to the CHL, so they appeared to be going the NCAA route all along…none are “overagers”. In other words, nobody that was going to be recruited by U SPORTS teams this year.

Several of the guys left Jr A teams and went to CHL. Mangone and Beamish are 4 years CHL guys who won't be going to a CIS school. Steinman is a 3 yr guy. So, there are some who could/would have gone CIS.

I'm too lazy to look up all of them.

Edit: I think just the 3 I noted are full time CHL players.

 

[AUS Fan]

Add to the list -
Nicholas DeAngelis, Sudbury, Alex Carr, Rouyn-Noranda and Sam Oliver, Drummondville all going to UNH.

 

[bungdropper]

More overage CHL players who have opted for the NCAA:

Daniel Hauser, G (Wenatchee) - University of Wisconsin
Sam Oliver, F (Drummondville) - University of New Hampshire
Noah Morneau, F (Windsor) - Bowling Green State
Carlin Dezainde, F (Swift Current) - University of Connecticut
Cedrick Guindon, F (Kingston) - University of Vermont

 

[UNB Bruins Fan]

Question - If a player was playing Junior A/USHL and hadn’t been previously drafted by a CHL team….and now wants to go to the CHL, are they essentially free agents and can pick what team they want to play for (within the appropriate CHL league)?