Soakin’ in the Tubb: A new era of junior hockey is here

By JAMES TUBB on November 9, 2024.

The junior hockey world is entering a revolution with players at the forefront.

Thursday’s announcement of the NCAA granting CHL players eligibility to play at the Division I level has created a seismic shift in hockey’s developmental series with a lot of questions still to be answered.

What is known, effective Aug. 1, 2025, CHL players will be eligible to participate on NCAA Div. I teams provided they were not compensated above actual and necessary expenses for their participation.

The last part of that sentence raises its own questions. ‘Actual and necessary expenses’ are any expenses necessary or required for a player’s participation in practice or competition, including meals, lodging, transportation, apparel, equipment, supplies, etc.

A funny bit of that, if players are drafted into the CHL and that team sends them a hat or a jersey, a player can not accept that apparel, without paying for it. They have to either mail it back, pay for it or donate it to charity, to ensure their NCAA Eligibility is not endangered.

That’s just a small part of a large bucket of questions that will continue to flood timelines and hockey circles as a result of the announcement. Another known is players already signed to NHL contracts, like Medicine Hat Tigers’ forwards Andrew Basha and Hunter St. Martin, would be ineligible for DI hockey.

College scouts have already been seen in the stands in the WHL in the weeks leading up to the announcement, looking for potential recruits for next season and beyond. The trailblazer of this announcement of course, is Regina Pats forward Braxton Whitehead who announced his verbal commitment to Arizona State on Sept. 13.

For fans, the idea of players leaving the CHL early for the NCAA and the potential Name, Image and Likeness financial opportunities available, can be a concern. It’s way too early to start projecting or fearing who or how many players could make that jump. Whether it will only be overage players looking to extend their careers, or 18 and 19 year olds leaving early for the NCAA.

According to Bartlett Hockey player management, CHL players interested in the NCAA would still have to meet eligibility requirements, including academic requirements like graduating high school, completing 16 “core” classes and having a 2.3+ GPA in those classes.

The next question is how will this affect other junior leagues like the AJHL and BCHL, as well as USports programs. Will those juniors leagues, the previous option for players looking to go to NCAA, lose their top talent to the CHL, or will they have to adjust where they draw players from, increasing the import limits as an example.

With so much unknown about Thursday’s announcement, the one true takeaway is how much of a win this is for players in Canada and the United States. They no longer have to make career-altering choices at 15 and 16 years old, with a plethora of options now available.

Saskatoon Blades general manager Colin Priestner was the first WHL team executive to comment publicly Thursday posting on X, focusing on the benefit for the players.

“Today is an incredible day for young hockey players across North America,” Priestner said in a tweet.

“The junior leagues, colleges, associations and advisors will sort out the pros and cons… there will be hurdles and adjustments… but it’s the PLAYERS that win big today and that’s cause for celebration.”

Tub(b) Thoughts

– This column has already pointed eyes at this player, but Thursday’s announcement will have Tigers’ fans looking at 2023 U.S. Draft pick Noah Davidson. The Irvine, Ca. forward announced his commitment to Boston College for the 2026-27 season. He’s currently playing for Shattuck St Mary’s 18U Prep, notching eight goals and 20 points in 19 games. Could he be interested in joining a Tigers’ team with Gavin McKenna potentially hosting the 2026 Memorial Cup? Throw another question in the mix.

– Speaking of the Mem Cup, Thursday’s News had a story on Medicine Hat’s bid to host the 2026 tournament and the local committee’s final meeting with the CHL. Head coach Willie Desjardins, not one to pump his own tires, didn’t share too much about his part of the pitch. The News heard rumbles that the franchise’s winningest coach made quite an impression on the meeting, speaking on the pedigree of Medicine Hat the city and the Tigers’ roster. The winning team/city is expected to be announced later this month.

– The WHL has partnered with Re/Max for a third year of Nickelodeon Nights for Children’s Miracle Network. The night brings special theme jerseys, giveaway items and in-game activities. The Tigers wore SpongeBob SquarePants jerseys in 2023-24 and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles jerseys in 2022-23. Their jersey theme is still to be announced, but their Nickelodeon Night will be Dec. 28 against the Lethbridge Hurricanes.

James Tubb is sports reporter with the Medicine Hat News. He can be reached at jtubb@medicinehatnews.com