On November 7, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I council announced the removal of its long-standing eligibility ban on Canadian Hockey League (CHL) players, allowing them to compete in NCAA Division I hockey after their careers in Canada’s premier development league. The historic policy shift, effective August 1, 2025, removes barriers for CHL athletes, enabling them to choose between professional aspirations and academic opportunities. Beyond its ramifications, the change also carries significant financial consequences for aspiring student-athletes, offering greater access to scholarships and financial aid. 

Prior to the ban being lifted, the NCAA deemed CHL players ineligible for NCAA Division I hockey because the NCAA classified the hockey league as professional since players received a maximum monthly stipend of $600, disqualifying them from the NCAA’s amateur status. 

As a result, CHL players who did not turn professional faced financial hurdles when pursuing post-secondary education. While Canadian universities offer competition through the U SPORTS leagues, they lack the NCAA programs’ resources and exposure. 

For example, in two of the last four NHL drafts, the first overall pick were Canadians Owen Power and Macklin Celebrini who chose the NCAA route, with Power and Celebrini attending Michigan University and Boston University, respectively. In contrast, one of the most recent U SPORTS athletes to earn an NHL roster spot is Washington Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson, who played for Brock University’s hockey team in 2019 — though such cases are far rarer. By comparison, the CHL accounted for nearly 40 per cent of all players drafted to the NHL last season, and consistently ranks as the world’s top-talent producing league. 

From an academic standpoint, while the CHL offers post-secondary education packages, the benefits are contingent on the length of time a player spends in the league and often have limits, sometimes covering only a portion of tuition and related expenses. As a result, the former CHL model primarily favoured those trying to pursue professional hockey over balancing academics and sport. 

By contrast, CHL players will now have access to the extensive athletic and financial benefits that the NCAA program offers. Among these benefits, scholarships play the most significant role in providing financial support to student-athletes. Beginning in the 2025–2026 academic year, only Division I hockey teams can offer scholarships to all 26 players on their roster. With scholarship values reaching over $50,000 at some US schools — and the average Division I hockey scholarship valued at approximately $17,000 — the financial support surpasses the CHL’s current offerings. In comparison, CHL players receive a maximum of $600 for living expenses and a capped tuition benefit for every year spent competing in the league. 

Players will benefit from scholarship funds and be eligible for the recent “name, image, and likeness” (NIL) opportunities available to NCAA athletes. Depending on their performances and personal brand built during their college careers, they may earn additional income through endorsements and sponsorships. For top-tier and high-profile athletes, these earnings can exceed one million dollars. 

Therefore, the NCAA’s decision to lift this eligibility ban marks the beginning of a new era — for both CHL players and Canadian hockey players as a whole — who can now pursue their athletic aspirations without compromising their academic potential. With access to scholarships, NIL opportunities, and extensive academic resources, these players are better positioned to excel both on and off the ice.