CHL and juniors all-incompassing thread

Men's Sports Ice Hockey
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This is a major story right now and will be for some time, so I think it deserves its own thread.

For those that don’t follow closely, it appears players from the Canadian Hockey League – which encompasses the Ontario Hockey League, the Quebec Maritimes League and the Western Hockey League – will be allowed to play in the NCAA.

Previously CHL players were considered pro because of their contracts/education structures, but that’s about to go bye-bye.

The USHL is where much of the NCAA talent is drawn from – it’s a juniors league based in Iowa, Nebraska, Illinois, Michigan and South Dakota, and players in that league retain their eligibility.

And a story just broke that USHL Youngstown and Muskegon asked the OHL about joining that league prior to this season:

Jeff Marek on X: “OHL/USHL news - Sometime before the season began both the Youngstown Phantoms and Muskegon Lumberjacks formally approached the OHL about joining the league. No word about where it stands now or how it would/could happen but there were conversations.” / X

So that happens next is extremely consequential for college hockey. Does the USHL become a fourth CHL arm? Do teams in those leagues align, or in this case, realign?

Lots to watch and the next year will be fascinating.

Fortunately for Miami, Noreen already has 16 USHL products committed to Miami over the next three years.

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I think it will be harder for American born players to make NCAA rosters.

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I agree, JohnnyMac.This will inject a huge pool of top line Canadian players into the NCAA pool. While the USHL has always been the most significant feeder to the NCAA, the CHL has been the most significant feeder to the NHL.

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Sounds like we need to start building some more Tim Hortons on campus…

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Tim Bits and Maple Bars! Love it!

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