Here's why I don't think the new DHS rule on student visas will have much impact in college hockey
Plus: The NCAA could eliminate mid-year roster additions, more news on the Colorado injunction, Vermont is set to hire a new assistant, and a lot more
Opening Faceoff
There’s been a lot of online discussion about a new Department of Homeland Security rule set to take effect on Sept. 15. The rule would cap F-1 student visas at four years, raising concerns that it could make it more difficult for international student-athletes to play five seasons in the NCAA under the new age-based eligibility rules.
For several reasons, however, I don’t expect the rule change to have a significant impact on college hockey. I’ll explain why in today’s newsletter.
Other stories in today’s newsletter include:
The NCAA Division I Cabinet could vote in October to eliminate midseason additions in sports that span the first and second semesters. If approved, the proposal could outlaw midseason additions in college hockey.
We also update the status of last week’s Colorado injunction and the NCAA’s appeal. For now, the injunction has granted seniors who graduated in 2026 a fifth season of eligibility, provided they qualify under the age-based eligibility rules.
I’ve also updated my list of players who could receive a fifth year under the injunction. Including a notable player added to the list who was initially (inadvertently) left off.
The NCAA sent schools a memo regarding the enforcement of its “ghost transfer” rules.
Vermont is set to hire a new assistant coach to replace Scott Moser.
Youngstown is getting closer to hiring a new head coach, while Bowling Green added a former USHL general manager as an assistant coach.
Providence lost a goaltender because of academic ineligibility.
The NCAA named a new national coordinator of officials and secretary-rules editor.
Here’s why I don’t think the new DHS rule on student visas will have much impact in college hockey
The Department of Homeland Security announced a major change to its F-1 student visa program a few weeks ago.
Currently, international students admitted to the United States on an F-1 visa are generally permitted to remain for the “duration of status” — meaning they can stay as long as they remain enrolled and comply with the terms of their status.
Under the new rule, beginning Sept. 15, F-1 students will generally be admitted for a fixed period of no more than four years.
That raised eyebrows online, especially because the NCAA recently adopted age-based eligibility rules that could give athletes five years of eligibility.
I think the reaction is overblown, and there isn’t much cause for concern from a college hockey standpoint.
First, most international players in college hockey are Canadian. Based on conversations with coaches around the country, I still expect most of those players to arrive in college at 20 years old and have only four years of eligibility. Therefore, I’m not sure how many international players will qualify for a fifth season in the first place.
