Yahoo Sports November Recapped: NCAA Ruling, CHL/USA Prospect Challenge, Trades, News
League news
At the beginning of the month, the NCAA has repealed a rule which prohibited major junior players from being eligible to play Division-I college hockey. Meaning that CHL players, including QMJHLers, will now be able to play top-level NCAA hockey at the completion of their major junior career -- so long as they aren't contracted by an NHL team.
Also discussed is the league's appetite for expansion southwards as the renewed interest in major junior hockey from US-born athletes will allow the league to expand while keeping the level of play competitive.
Related: CHL Players Eligible For NCAA As Of Next Year. What Does This Mean For The QMJHL?
Given this ruling, we took a look at which US-born players --whose rights are already owned by QMJHL teams via the now defunct American draft -- who could join the QMJHL as soon as this season.
Related: Which American-Born Players Could Be Targets To Join The QMJHL?
Expanding on our earlier coverage of the renewed interest in hockey in Newfoundland, as well as the potential moving of the Acadie-Bathurst Titan. CBC did a piece with Glenn Sanford, the man spearheading the movement.
His group is trying to get the province to change its labour laws to accommodate the return of hockey in some capacity to St. John's Mary Brown's Centre as soon as next season.
In the article, Sanford said that they are looking at all options, whether QMJHL via expansion or relocation, or minor professional hockey.
Tournaments
November had a couple of tournaments that were worth the attention of QMJHL fans.
Firstly, Moncton's Caleb Desnoyers and Blainville's Justin Carbonneau participated in the first CHL/USA Hockey Challenge -- which replaces the CHL Top Prospects game. Both top 2025 NHL draft eligibles came out with two points over two games, helping Team CHL sweep the series.
Related: Desnoyers, Carbonneau Represented The QMJHL Well At CHL/USA Prospects Game
As for the younger prospects, eight QMJHL-affiliated players took part in the Under-17 World Challenge in Sarnia. All eight medaled at the tournament, with Benjamin Cosette-Ayotte (Val-d'Or), Jayden Plouffe (Chicoutimi), Antoine Proulx (Acadie-Bathurst) and Tynan Lawrence (Chicoutimi) winning gold with Team Canada White. Team Canada Red, featuring Maddox Dagenais (Quebec), Chad Lygitsakos (Shawinigan), Romain L'Italien (Cape Breton) and Cameron Chartrand (Saint John) finished with Silver.
Related: Recap: The QMJHL At Under-17 World Challenge
Miscellaneous
In some good news, Cape Breton alternate captain Brayden Schmitt suited up for his first game since he and two of his teammates were involved in a multi-car accident in early September.
Schmitt was the last to return with Lucas Romeo participating in the Boston Bruins training camp just a couple weeks later and Angelo Fullerton returning earlier this month as well.
Related: Eagles Drop Overager Andrews; Schmitt Returns From September Car Accident
Transactions
Below are all the notable transactions, and their respective articles.
Nov 7: Shawinigan trades for Remparts defenseman Antoine Michaud for a pick
Nov 13: Victoriaville signs 2024 first round forward Enzo Lottin
Nov 16: Shawinigan signs BCHL goaltender Owen Bresson; cuts overager goaltender Liam Sztuska
Nov 16: Chicoutimi releases forward Brennan O'Donnell and defenseman Christian White
Nov 22: Sherbrooke trades pick for, and signs BCHL goaltender Kyan Labbe
Nov 27: Moncton signs Red Wings prospect, USHL goaltender Rudy Guimond
Nov 28: Victoriaville claims import forward Robin Svancara from WHL
Commitments
Below are all the QMJHL players who committed to NCAA programs this month.
