If you’ve been following hockey news recently, you’ve probably seen posts about Kitchener Rangers forward Jack Pridham and the Chicago Blackhawks potentially losing his NHL rights.
For many parents, players, and coaches, the headlines can be confusing.
Why would an NHL team lose the rights to a player they already drafted?
The answer lies in one of the biggest changes to the hockey development landscape in decades: CHL players are now eligible to play NCAA Division I hockey.
What Changed?
For years, hockey families had to choose between two very different paths:
Path 1: CHL (OHL, WHL, QMJHL)
- Higher game volume
- Major Junior environment
- Faster route toward professional hockey
- NCAA eligibility was lost
Path 2: NCAA Route
- Usually through Junior A leagues such as the BCHL, AJHL, USHL, etc.
- College education
- NCAA development model
- Maintained amateur eligibility
Historically, once a player played in the CHL, the NCAA considered them ineligible for Division I hockey. That changed when the NCAA approved new eligibility rules allowing CHL players to compete in NCAA Division I beginning in 2025-26.
This means players no longer have to choose one path forever.
Why Does This Matter?
The new rule gives players significantly more leverage and flexibility.
A player can:
- Play in the OHL, WHL, or QMJHL
- Continue developing against elite competition
- Still have the option to attend an NCAA school later
- Potentially earn a scholarship while continuing their hockey career
For families, this creates opportunities that simply did not exist before.
The Jack Pridham Example
Jack Pridham was drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in 2024.
Originally, he was committed to Boston University. However, after the NCAA opened its doors to CHL players, he joined the Kitchener Rangers and later chose to remain in the OHL. He went on to become one of the OHL’s top goal scorers.
Now he faces a unique situation:
- Sign an NHL Entry-Level Contract with Chicago
- Commit to an NCAA program
- Or potentially re-enter the NHL Draft if neither happens by the deadline
This situation would have been far less likely under the old rules.
What This Means for Parents
The biggest takeaway is that there is no longer one “correct” development path.
For years, families often felt pressure to choose between:
- Education or hockey
- CHL or NCAA
- Scholarship opportunities or Major Junior opportunities
Today, those lines are becoming increasingly blurred.
The conversation is shifting from:
“Which path should my child choose?”
to
“Which path is best for my child right now?”
That’s a major difference.
Potential Impact on Youth Hockey
Many experts believe we’ll see:
✅ More players choosing the CHL earlier.
✅ More NCAA recruiting of 18-, 19-, and 20-year-old CHL players.
✅ Increased competition between NCAA programs and NHL organizations for player development.
✅ More power in the hands of players and families.