For serious hockey players with NCAA ambitions, one question continues to dominate conversations: Is the USHL or the CHL the better path to NCAA hockey? For years, the answer seemed simple. Players who chose the CHL were widely considered ineligible for NCAA competition. Meanwhile, the USHL positioned itself as the primary feeder league to Division I programs. Today , the landscape is more nuanced. If your goal is NCAA hockey, understanding the structural differences between

The NCAA hockey recruiting process is one of the most misunderstood parts of player development. Families often feel pressure to commit early, chase exposure, or compare timelines. But the truth is, NCAA hockey recruiting isn’t about hype — it’s about projection, development, and fit. If you want to understand how to get recruited for college hockey, here’s what actually matters. When Does the NCAA Hockey Recruiting Process Start? The NCAA hockey recruiting timeline varies de

In a groundbreaking shift for hockey development pathways, players from the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) are now able to retain NCAA eligibility — opening a major new opportunity for elite prospects. This change reshapes the traditional routes young players can take as they pursue both education and high-level hockey. What Changed? Historically, the CHL was classified as a professional league by the NCAA, meaning that players who competed in the WHL, OHL, or QMJHL would lose