It may not be major news yet, but it could lead to something groundbreaking. Today the NCAA, the organization that regulates university sports in the USA, announced that they will hold a vote to decide whether or not to allow major junior hockey players to play in the NCAA. NCAA conference commissioners have a meeting planned for Monday. One of the hot ticket items for them to discuss will be this decision.
The NCAA to Vote to Allow CHL Players
The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) is a major junior hockey league that is made up of three leagues. The Western Hockey League, the Ontario Hockey League, and the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League are the three leagues spreading across Canada, including a few teams in the States. It has long been the determination that CHL players are paid athletes, opposed to being amateurs, as they are given up to $600 as a living allowance. Moreover, this amount is not considered income for the purposes of personal taxes.
However, part of what has created this discussion is that college players also receive economic benefits. The obvious way is through scholarships, but there are more ways such as endorsement deals. Also, more recently, college players have fought for compensation for their likeness being used in such things as video games.
Why Does This Proposed Change Make Sense for the NCAA and Junior Hockey Landscapes?
Therefore, it makes sense that players who were previously unable to play in the NCAA, shouldn’t be denied that opportunity. The amount of compensation CHL players receive currently isn’t tangibly different than a player receiving a full scholarship and not having to worry about room and board.
Of course, even if this seems like a simple process, it truly is far from it. The CHL has many rules with the NHL. One such rule being, that a player drafted from a CHL team is unable to play in the AHL if they don’t make the NHL team. So, it is unclear the type of impact this decision could have in that process.
Currently, NCAA players are not allowed to be under NHL contracts. As soon as they sign an NHL contract, they forego their eligibility to the NCAA. These types of rules have long caused a rift between the CHL and the NCAA. A rift as in the two organizations fighting for the premier talent to develop before the players embark on their NHL or other professional hockey careers. Hopefully the NCAA comes to its senses and allows this vote to pass. Then the CHL and NCAA can work together in developing players. This will be a welcomed change rather than as it currently stands, they’re in direct competition with one another.
Main Photo: Matt Krohn – USA TODAY Sports
