NCAA rule change shakes B.C. junior hockey [Video]

A college hockey rule imposed on Western Hockey League (WHL) players has been removed.

According to the WHL, players will be eligible to compete in NCAA D1 hockey beginning next season. The Canadian-based league believes this will create more opportunities for North American players to choose where they develop before going to university without the fear of compromising their eligibility.

The rule was believed to be in place for several reasons, including the draft process and a small stipend WHL players receive every month.

“This has been bubbling for a while. I don’t think it comes as an absolute surprise to anyone,” said Dan Near, the WHL commissioner.

“However it’s meaningful, it’s substantial. It’s monumental. For many, many years, we’ve been in a situation where 15-year-old kids were being asked to make a big life decision.”

David Rutherford was one of those kids. The recently retired pro hockey player was …