Major rule change opens door to U.S. colleges for young Ontario hockey players [Video]

A major shift in policy by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) means young Ontario hockey players will now be eligible to attend and play at U.S. Division 1 schools after careers in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL).

The eligibility rule change announced today (Nov. 7) applies to all those who play under the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) which includes the Western Hockey League, Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League and the OHL.

Previously a player was not allowed to play in the NCAA if he stepped onto the ice for a CHL-affiliated team. Under the new rules, a qualified player will be able to receive a college or university education in the United States after competing at the highest level of junior hockey in Canada.

It also means, to a certain extent, that the CHL and NCAA will no longer have to compete for the same players who had to …