The NCAA Division I council has voted to adopt a rule change in men’s ice hockey, allowing involvement with Canadian Hockey League teams prior to university of college enrollment, effective Aug. 1, 2025.
This enables prospects who participate in major junior ice hockey or on professional teams to retain NCAA eligibility as long as the athlete are not paid more than actual and necessary expenses as part of that participation.
Up until a lawsuit was filed in August, the NCAA viewed any player who stepped on the ice in the CHL as ineligible because there are athletes who have signed NHL contracts in the WHL, OHL and QMJHL. CHL players are paid a monthly stipend capped at $250.
"This represents a pragmatic step in aligning men's ice hockey with other sports in terms of allowable pre-enrollment activities," Josh Whitman, athletics director at Illinois and chair of the council, said in a statement.
Regina Pats forward Braxton Whitehead has verbally committed to Arizona State University for the 2025-2026 season. The 20-year-old Whitehead is in his fifth season with the Pats. He recorded 52 points in 52 games last season, 17 goals and 35 assists, with Regina. The five-foot-10, 163-pound right shot forward has played 195 games with the Pats while totalling 38 goals and 56 assists. Regina selected him in the third round, 66th overall during the 2019 WHL Prospect Draft.
