NCAA re-considering ban on CHL players [Video]

A new rule change could alter NCAA eligibility for players in the Canadian Hockey League (CHL).

This month, the NCAA Division I Council is expected to vote on lifting a long-standing ban on CHL players to compete for American colleges, as early as next season.

The CHL governs three major junior hockey leagues in Canada:

Ontario Hockey League (OHL)

Western Hockey League (WHL)

Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)

The NCAA currently views CHL players as professionals, excluding them from college eligibility. Lifting the ban would allow players in the OHL, WHL, and QMJHL to transfer to the NCAA.

TSN Director of Scouting Craig Button said the rule change could put more options in the players’ hands.

“For a young athlete you can now have that option open to you,” Button told CTV News.

In August, a class-action lawsuit was filed against the NCAA on behalf of Rylan Masterson, who lost his NCAA eligibility after playing two OHL exhibition games from the Windsor Spitfires.

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