WHL Players Can Now Freely Go Play NCAA Hockey; What Next?

Now that the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) and Canadian Hockey League have reached an agreement allowing CHL talent to play collegiate hockey in the U.S. as opposed to being restricted to USports for their education, there have been many questions raised as to what this holds for the future of the WHL. The agreement is set to take effect August 1 of the 2025/26 season.

As of the release of this article, there is just one known NCAA commitment of the Western Hockey League and it is strictly verbal: Forward Braxton Whitehead of the Regina Pats. Whitehead made history on September 13 by verbally committing to Arizona State University, and becoming the first WHL player to do so.

So that begs the question: What does this mean for WHL hockey?

In the short term, in this case within the next season or two, more than likely not a lot. Players that are already aging out of the WHL will have their commitments, but in the grand scheme of things the talent pool will not change any noticeable amount. Players that have already embedded themselves into their respective systems, such as the USHL, BCHL, and various Junior A leagues across North America will remain with their respective clubs unless the WHL team holding their rights is potentially closer to home.

Players entering their draft-eligible seasons may also choose to come to the WHL for more exposure, something that is limited in smaller leagues.

Looking at the landscape three to four years down the road, new players coming up the ranks will have an option to play in one of the most skilled junior leagues in the world, while still maintaining collegiate eligibility. This will undoubtedly have a major effect on recruiting and teams may have to get creative in how they get prospects to play for them.

WHL Commissioner Dan Near released a statement on Thursday, saying "As always – the player is at the heart of what we do across the WHL through our 22 Member Clubs. Most of our graduates note their time in 'The Dub' were the best years of their lives. We are thrilled that upon graduation from the WHL, players will have additional options as they pursue the next step in their personal and hockey journey. We look forward to the opportunity to welcome a new wave of talent and we take great pride in our responsibility to support all WHL players in the pursuit of their goals – be that on the ice, in the classroom, and as contributing members of the community."

While it's still unseen how the entire situation will play out in depth, this collaboration is a truly monumental event for the future of hockey and even the state of the sport right now.

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