Canadian Hockey League's newly opened pathway to NCAA schools a potential disruption for U Sports

Dwayne Hinger has been one of the Regina Pats' education advisors for 11 years. During that time, there have been a lot of shifts, including creating a new study environment for his team's players during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, another change is on the horizon.

On Thursday, the NCAA's Division I Council voted to give Canadian Hockey League players the opportunity to compete for NCAA teams starting next season, provided their clubs only give them payment for expected and necessary expenses. Previously, athletes signed to a CHL contract could not seek out competing in the top collegiate league in the U.S.

Hinger, who spoke to CBC Sports prior to the announcement, said that one of the things both athletes and administrators will have to keep in mind is the different entrance requirements for U.S. universities versus Canadian institutions.

"What's acceptable for admission at Harvard, for example, might be different than admission into Notre Dame, which might be different [to get] into the University of North Dakota. So, it will be really a challenge to try and figure out what are the requirements to get into whatever university there is, and then try to make sure that the student-athlete will be prepared and take courses that will get them into that institution."

Prior to the pandemic, like many other CHL teams, the Pats had a longstanding relationship with a Regina-area high school, allowing athletes to attend while competing. That has now shifted to a hybrid model, with athletes who enrolled in high school classes or those looking to work on school work from post secondary institutions studying from the rink each morning. Each student is engaged with their own distance learning program and Hinger is able to support them when they're on the road as well as over the summer.

Dwayne Hinger said that one of the things both athletes and administrators will have to keep in mind is the different entrance requirements for U.S. universities versus Canadian institutions. (Keith Hershmiller photography)

Hinger and his wife, Karen Fedor Klapatiuk, also an educational advisor with the team, will have a front row seat to witness how this newest change plays out.

Braxton Whitehead, an American-born player with the team, became the first CHL player to sign a letter of intent with a Division I school after a verbal commitment to Arizona State University for next season once the rule change has been implemented.

Hinger believes that Whitehead, who he says received over 90 per cent in many of his high school classes and is a previous academic award winner with the team, is a source of pride for the organization.

"We're just so proud of him and his ambition to pursue this opportunity for himself and kind of make a path for other athletes to be able to extend their careers, or extend their hockey time, both within U Sports or NCAA."

Some are concerned, however, that U Sports could be in trouble.

Potential U Sports disruption

In terms of recruitment, U Sports teams have been able to bolster their rosters with former CHL players looking to parlay that experience into a university education. Now, there is some concern that this pathway will be severely hampered by the opportunity for athletes to go to Division I schools.

Todd Johnson is the coach of the University of Regina Cougars men's hockey team and is involved in a leadership role at the U Sports level. Prior to the announcement, he told CBC Sports that this change will likely mean disruption to their typical recruiting process.

"Traditionally, the teams that win are filled with CHL players … So, typically, that is the first place that we start to recruit. We then move from there on to players that have possibly played in the WHL that are playing junior A at a 20-year-old level. And then we kind of branch out from there and look at the junior A players that possibly either haven't been recruited to the NCAA, or players that really want to stay in Canada and pursue an education here."

Regina Cougars men's hockey coach Todd Johnson, seen during a game in October, believes the NCAA's landmark decision to allow CHL players to compete for U.S. schools could disrupt the U Sports recruiting process in Canada. (Courtesy of Calvin Hui)

Johnson, who played for the Moose Jaw Warriors and was a coach for the Kootenay Ice before taking the helm at the University of Regina, said that he thinks that the perks of a Canadian education for a Canadian player — especially in fields that prioritize a Canadian degree for career advancement like the law and medical fields — may play a large part in recruiting once this rule change has been fully implemented.

"If you want to live in Canada and work in Canada, for a lot of these players, it's important that their education comes from up here."

From a CHL perspective, the league wrote in a Nov. 7 statement that it sees this development as a net gain for Canadian hockey.

"While we will take time to fully review this rule change, we believe this is a positive development that will provide our players with more opportunities to continue their hockey and academic careers following their time in the CHL. It will also give young players and their families more options in choosing their development path, which includes opening up the CHL — the best development hockey league in the world for players aged 16-20 — to more players worldwide."

According to Hinger, this prioritization of education is in line with a movement he's seen since he began advising the Pats players.

"When I first started, It was almost like the parents would smack their hands together when they got to the Regina Pats. And it was like, 'Okay, good for you guys. Now you need to look after my son, not only on the ice, but also in the classroom.' I think it's really changed to a more collaborative approach, where it's the player, it's the parents, it's the organization that are working collaboratively to make sure that not only they get a good education, but they become great citizens as well."

Where do things go from here?

While this ruling answers one looming question, more are on the horizon.

Like with previous decisions, such as the opening of name, image, and likeness (NIL) programs, the NCAA has been forced to action by lawsuits levelled by athletes. In the case of this CHL-focused ruling, it was a lawsuit brought by Riley Masterson, a former OHL exhibition game participant who was then rendered ineligible.

Canadians, like other international students, do not have the opportunity to partake in U.S.-based NIL deals because of visa restrictions. Those too are under judicial pressure as Louisiana State University basketball player Last-Tear Poa filed a lawsuit earlier this year with the goal of opening up that pathway.

Regardless of how this seismic change affects Canada's hockey clubs, Johnson is hopeful that, particularly in U Sports, the show will go on and the programs will continue to provide top tier talent to professional leagues.

"I believe that our product is getting better. I hope it can continue along that line. I hope that this doesn't … tarnish what is happening up in Canada here.

"I believe our product is heading in the right direction."