The Dan K Show, a top platform for current and available news on Junior Hockey and Amateur hockey in the US has been producing great content for their website and social media accounts for some time now. One of the most interesting subjects has been the changing face and shape of NCAA hockey. With the landmark NCAA/CHL ruling now altering US College Hockey, the makeup of NCAA rosters are rapidly shifting to a Canadian- heavy demographic (check out the above image from the Dan K show). Follow this link here to the Dan K site as well as additional info- NCAA and CHL Recruiting Battleground Tracker — The Dan K Show
What was initially interpreted as mostly affecting NCAA Division 1 and age-out players from the CHL (WHL, OHL, QMJHL), has not changed just since the ruling in November, as we are seeing younger players within the 3 CHL leagues commit to NCAA hockey with Jr eligibility remaining.
Posted by the Hockey News on June 13th:
We’ve started to see younger players, including 2025 NHL draft eligibles, such as Jackson Smith, Cole Reschny and Jack Ivankovic, commit to NCAA programs for either next season or down the line. There are rumors about projected 2026 first overall pick and CHL player of the year, Gavin McKenna, heading to college hockey as well, but nothing has been confirmed yet. Many CHL Players Are Leaving Early For College – Here’s Why That’s A Good Thing – Yahoo Sports
Several reports have the 3rd youngest CHL Player of the year in its history (Gavin McKenna) with eyes on committing to Penn State University- HockeyBuzz.com – Eklund – Gavin McKenna to Penn State (e4+)
How this all shakes out in the coming years will certainly be ground-shifting across the Junior Hockey world, as the early indications are that NCAA division 1 hockey will become more Canadian and younger, as well as potentially more skilled. Players within their draft year and are NHL- destined are leaving their CHL Junior eligibility once they commit to NCAA schools.
Colorado College coach Kris Mayotte recently may have summed it up best. “With an influx of talent — I mean, college hockey is going to be more talented than it’s ever been, and it’s not even going to be close, I don’t think — how much does it change roster composition in terms of winning championships and being the best team in your league? “I think that’s what’s still so unknown.”
Rule change gives DU, Colorado College hockey flood of new talent
Stay tuned to this continually changing story as it unfolds on the Hockey Focus site- www.tjhpodcast.com
By Andrew Trimble
To Purchase Andrew’s new book, The Hockey Planner, follow this link here- The Hockey Planner: A Year by Year Plan to Assist You on Your Hockey Coaching Journey: From Learn to Play to Junior Hockey: Trimble, Andrew: 9781963743395: Amazon.com: Books
