NCAA lifts ban on CHL players from participating; Husso named first star

News staff and telegraphic services
| The Detroit News

The NCAA Division I Council on Thursday approved a rule that will allow players with Canadian Hockey League experience to compete at U.S. colleges starting next season, a landmark decision that has the potential to shake up the NHL’s two biggest sources of developmental talent.

The decision, which takes effect Aug. 1, lifts the NCAA’s long-standing ban on CHL players previously considered professionals from receiving a living stipend of up to $600 per month.

The approval was expected after the council submitted a proposal last month to lift the ban. Players competing in major junior hockey or professional teams can maintain their NCAA qualification as long as they are not paid more than the actual and necessary costs.

The decision also applies to skiing, bringing both into line with NCAA eligibility rules for other sports.

In doing so, the council opened the door for a major change in the way players approaching their 16th birthday decide where to play. Instead of having to choose between one or the other, CHL players can now play NCAA hockey when they become eligible for college.

The decision has the potential to cost the CHL’s top 18-and-older talent or flood American college rosters with Canadians.

The NCAA’s ruling follows a class action lawsuit filed on August 13 in the US District Court in Buffalo, New York, seeking the ban of players from the CHL’s Western Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League is challenged.

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Riley Masterson of Fort Erie, Ont., who lost his college eligibility two years ago when he appeared in two exhibition games for the OHL’s Windsor Spitfires at the age of 16. It includes 10 Division I hockey programs, which were selected to show they follow NCAA statutes when it comes to excluding current or former CHL players.

In a separate post in September, Braxton Whitehead said he had verbally committed to Arizona State, making him the first CHL player to attempt to play hockey at the U.S. Division I college level. Whitehead, 20, said he plans to play for the WHL Regina Pats this season before playing for the Sun Devils in 2025-26.

The stipends that CHL players receive are not considered income for tax purposes. College players, meanwhile, receive scholarships and can now earn money through endorsements and other uses of their name, image or likeness.

The change in eligibility could also impact the USHL, which previously signed players who had rejected participation in the CHL to maintain their college eligibility. Two recent NHL No. 1 draft picks, San Jose forward Macklin Celebrini and Buffalo Sabers defenseman Owen Power, both played in the USHL.

Since its inception, the USHL development model has been “intentionally tailored to the student-athlete experience,” the league wrote in a statement in response to the NCAA decision. “The USHL remains the world’s premier development program. All aspects of the league are focused on preparing athletes for collegiate and professional hockey, including on-ice development, academics and character development.

Grand Rapids 5, Iowa 2

Grand Rapids goalie Ville Husso was named the starting star with 37 saves in a 5-2 win over the Iowa Wild on Thursday at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa.

It was Husso’s first goal since suffering an injury during a 2–1 win over the Springfield Thunderbirds on October 24. Husso stopped ten shots before leaving the game in the second period with an injury.

The Griffins snapped a three-game winless streak and got shorthanded goals from Sheldon Dries and Alex Doucet for Jakub Rychlovsky’s first career AHL goal.

Bruins’ Marchand scores OT goal

Brad Marchand scored a backhand on his own rebound with 20 seconds left in overtime to lift the Bruins to a 4-3 victory over the Flames on Thursday night.

It was Marchand’s second OT winner of the season, converting a penalty he committed that led to a power-play goal during the opening minute of the third period.

Hampus Lindholm, Pavel Zacha and Cole Koepke scored Boston’s other goals, and David Pastrnak had two assists. Joonas Korpisalo stopped 34 shots for the Bruins.

Calgary got goals from Tyson Barrie, Yegor Sharangovich and Nazem Kadri. The Flames trailed 3-1 entering the third period before Sharangovich scored with a man advantage and Kadri tied it at 9:55.

Dustin Wolf made 34 saves for the Flames.

United States 4, Czech Republic 3 (OT)

Luke Shairer scored 32 seconds into overtime to lift Team USA to a 4-3 comeback victory over the Czech Republic to advance to the semifinals of the 2024 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in Sarnia, Ontario.

Team USA 3, Sweden 2 (OT)

Jack Murtagh scored two goals, including the match winner in extra time, to beat Sweden 3-2 in the Under-18 Five Nations Tournament on Thursday in Tabor, Czech Republic.

Michigan area hockey schedule

Thursday

Grand Rapids 5, Iowa 2

World U17 Hockey Challenge in Sarnia, Ontario

US 4, Czech Republic 3 (OT)

U18 Five Nations in Tabor, Czech Republic

US 3, Sweden 2 (OT)

Friday

Red Wings at Maple Leafs, 7

Grand Rapids at Rockford, 8

Ohio State and Michigan State, 7

Notre Dame at Michigan, 6

Western Michigan at University of Nebraska at Omaha, 8

Lake Superior State in Northern Michigan, 7

Michigan Tech at Ferris State, 7

World U17 Hockey Challenge in Sarnia, Ontario

Semi-finals, 4 and 7:30 p.m

U18 Five Nations in Tabor, Czech Republic

US vs. Finland, 7

Michigan women at UMass-Amherst, 3:50

Michigan State Women at Aurora University, 9

Saturday November 9

Rangers at Red Wings, 7

Ohio State and Michigan State, 6

Notre Dame at Michigan, 7

Western Michigan at University of Nebraska at Omaha, 8

Lake Superior State in Northern Michigan, 7

Michigan Tech at Ferris State, 7

World U17 Hockey Challenge in Sarnia, Ontario

Third place match, 3:30 p.m

Championship match, 7:30 p.m

U18 Five Nations in Tabor, Czech Republic

USA vs. Czech Republic, 7

Michigan women at UMass-Amherst, 11:20 am

Michigan State Women at Aurora University, 6:50

Sunday November 10th

U18 Five Nations in Tabor, Czech Republic

USA vs Switzerland, 1

Michigan Women at the University of Rhode Island, 9:30 am