The NCAA Change: What It Really Means for Hockey's Future

Welcome to All Access Hockey.

The CHL has spoken, and NHL insider Elliotte Friedman just dropped some major insights about where this is all heading.

From potential CHL expansion to changing NHL draft rights, the hockey world is evolving fast - and it all centers on giving players more options.

Here's what we'll cover in less than 5 minutes:

• How the CHL leagues are embracing change

• What Elliotte sees coming (and why it matters)

• The real impact on player development

• The bigger picture: More paths to success

Let's dive in!

The Big News:

When big news breaks, I look to two things: what the leagues are saying officially, and what insiders like Elliotte Friedman are hearing behind the scenes. Today, we've got both, and it's painting a fascinating picture.

A Quick Note About Elliotte: When Elliotte Friedman reports on hockey, people listen - and for good reason. He's earned a reputation for being the guy who not only gets the inside scoop but delivers it with context and care. No agenda, no bias, just straight facts and thoughtful analysis. That's why when he weighs in on something this big, we pay attention.

Let's break this down:

The Official Response: The CHL didn't just accept this change - they embraced it: "We believe this is a positive development that will provide our players with more opportunities to continue their hockey and academic careers."

League Leaders Stepping Up: 

WHL Commissioner Dan Near stated: "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. This decision creates an opportunity for top elite hockey players to choose the WHL for their development without the risk of losing NCAA eligibility... The best in the West can now look forward to chasing their dreams alongside one another."

OHL Commissioner Brayn Crawford stated: "This is a landmark decision that gives OHL players additional avenues and opportunities to pursue their hockey, academic and life goals upon graduation from our league.

But Here's Where It Gets Interesting (Elliotte's Take):

The Transfer Portal Effect: Remember how NCAA sports changed with the transfer portal? Players gained more control, and coaches had to adapt. Now that same wave is hitting junior hockey. As Elliotte puts it: "The pendulum swings wildly the other way."

Think about this scenario Elliotte heard at a recent hockey fundraiser: Players talking about playing OHL, then NCAA, then finishing in U Sports. That kind of flexibility was unthinkable before.

The Future Landscape: Elliotte sees some major changes coming:

1. CHL potentially expanding into the U.S. (Massachusetts is looking prime)

2. USHL teams possibly jumping to the CHL

3. More NCAA schools adding hockey programs

4. NHL draft rights needing adjustment (currently 4 years for NCAA picks, 2 for CHL)

The Legal Side: The Bartlett Hockey agency (they're veterans in this game) dropped this insight: CHL teams likely can't stop players from leaving for NCAA during their contract. That's huge.

Why This Really Matters: Everything we do in hockey should launch players toward their best future, whatever that looks like. This change gives us more tools to do exactly that because:

• Every player's path is different

• Every family's situation is unique

• Success looks different for everyone

Some Questions to Consider:

• How will NHL teams adjust their draft strategies?

• What happens to current development agreements?

• How will this affect Canadian U Sports hockey?

• What happens to CHL scholarship money if players leave early for NCAA? (This is huge - we're talking about significant education funding that could be affected)

Think about it this way: We're not just adding options - we're removing barriers that never should have existed in the first place. As Elliotte says, "Adapt or die. The floodgates have opened, and no one knows where the water will go."

Bottom Line: Whether you're a parent, coach, or leader in hockey, our job is simple: support players in finding their best path. These changes just gave us more ways to do that.

PS: You can check out Elliotte Friedman’s 32 thoughts here:

The Mail Bag ✉️

Patrick asked: "I've heard that the SAT is no longer required for NCAA eligibility, but some schools still want SAT scores. Should my son take the SAT, and if so, when is the best time for him to do it?"

Great question, Patrick. With all the changes happening in college admissions and NCAA eligibility requirements, let me break this down for you:

1. For NCAA Eligibility: You're right - as of January 2023, the NCAA no longer requires SAT scores. This applies to all divisions.

2. For Individual Colleges: Here's the catch - while the NCAA doesn't require it, many colleges and universities still do for admission purposes. You'll need to check the requirements for each school your son is interested in.

3. Should Your Son Take It? Short answer: Yes. Even though it's not required for NCAA eligibility, having those scores keeps more doors open and can strengthen his application.

4. Best Timing: Spring semester of junior year is typically ideal. This gives you runway for retakes if needed, while working around the hockey schedule.

Bottom Line: While not mandatory for NCAA eligibility, taking the SAT can provide more options and potentially strengthen college applications.

Important Note: Always verify specific requirements with your academic advisors and each school's admissions office. Requirements can change, and each institution has its own policies.

That’s all for now! Hope you enjoyed it.

Quick favor: If you found value in this, please share it with another hockey family who might need this information. Every new subscriber helps me keep delivering the kind of no-nonsense, practical insights our community needs. Your shares keep me motivated to bring you the best content possible - straight, unfiltered, and always focused on what matters for our players.

Mike