Mailbag: What has been the biggest "big picture" takeaway from the first year of the CHL rule change?
Plus: Assistant coach updates, Landon DuPont, Harvard getting closer, Carter Meyer, and more
It’s time for another Mailbag Edition of the College Hockey Insider Newsletter.
Among the topics and questions in today’s edition:
After one full season of CHL players in the NCAA, what has been the biggest impact? And looking beyond college hockey, what long-term effects could this have on the broader hockey landscape?
Could there be any additional Division I head coaching openings before the start of the season?
If I were making the decision at Harvard, who would be my choice for the program’s next head coach?
Will Cam Reid play NCAA hockey next season? If so, which programs appear to be the most likely landing spots?
Could a proposed NCAA rule change effectively close the door on AHL and ECHL players moving into college hockey?
Would the proposed five-year eligibility rule also apply at the Division III level?
What should we make of Quinnipiac goaltenders entering the transfer portal after strong seasons?
How does the NCAA transfer portal actually work behind the scenes? Who has access to it, who manages it, and what does the process look like from a software standpoint?
What do Hockey East coaches think of the current setup, and would they prefer to see any changes?
Also in today's issue: Wisconsin has hired Nick Peruzzi, creating a vacancy on UConn's staff. ... St. Cloud State is still working to round out its coaching staff. Who are the names to watch there? ... Minnesota State moved quickly to fill its opening, adding a former U.S. NTDP assistant coach. ... Harvard's on-campus interviews are complete. What comes next, and when could a decision be made? ... Plus, updates on Landon DuPont and Carter Meyer, and much more.
This is issue #685 of the College Hockey Insider newsletter.
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Mailbag: What has been the biggest “big picture” takeaway from the first year of the CHL rule change?
Q. Now that you have seen the impact of CHL players for a year, what do you believe the biggest impact will be on the sport of hockey, not just college hockey. Is there a big picture thing that we need to pay attention to?
Absolutely.
My biggest takeaway is that fewer Americans will be playing Division I college hockey in the years ahead.
Last season, 908 Division I players were from the United States (55.8 percent), while 628 were from Canada (38.5 percent). That gap is going to shrink over time, and it would not surprise me if Canada eventually surpasses the United States in total representation.
Compared to 2024-25, the percentage of U.S.-born players declined by six percent, while the percentage of Canadian-born players increased by six percent. That’s not really open to debate; the numbers are the numbers (see below).
Whether that’s a good thing or a bad thing is a separate discussion. My point is simply that it appears to be the natural outcome of a recruiting landscape increasingly centered around four leagues: the CHL and the USHL.
Just look at the math.
