Braxton Whitehead of WHL Commits to Arizona State, Takes on NCAA Rules

Braxton Whitehead, a forward for the Regina Pats in the Western Hockey League (WHL), has made headlines by securing a verbal commitment for the 2025-26 season with Arizona State University’s Division I hockey team. This development signals a remarkable shift in collegiate hockey dynamics, despite the current NCAA rules that typically disqualify players who have participated in major-junior hockey from joining NCAA programs.

This commitment marks the first NCAA engagement for a player from the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) since a significant class action lawsuit against the NCAA and ten universities was proposed in August. The lawsuit argues that the NCAA’s eligibility requirements infringe upon antitrust laws, aiming to allow players to compete in both major-junior and college hockey, a change that could reshape player development opportunities considerably.

Whitehead, along with Arizona State, remains optimistic that the current eligibility restrictions will be lifted before he takes the ice with the Sun Devils in 2025. “ASU’s slogan is ‘Be the Tradition’ and I think they love the idea of me being a trailblazer throughout all this and paving the way with NCAA and CHL relations,” he commented recently. His hope reflects a growing sentiment within the hockey community.

The NCAA currently rules that any player who has competed in the CHL, which includes the WHL, OHL, and QMJHL, is ineligible for NCAA competition. This decision stems from the existence of players signed to professional contracts in these leagues. Additionally, the CHL players receive a capped monthly stipend of $250, which also plays a role in NCAA ineligibility.

The relevant NCAA bylaw explicitly states that “an individual shall not be eligible for intercollegiate athletics in a sport if the individual ever competed on a professional team.”

Earlier this year, Ontario Hockey League player Rylan Masterson took a stand against this rule by filing a class-action lawsuit in U.S. District Court. The suit claims that the NCAA’s actions constitute a boycott against Canadian junior players, which suppresses competition and artificially limits player compensation, practices that the lawsuit argues violate antitrust laws.

Whitehead, who is set to enter his fifth and final season with the Pats, has showcased remarkable talent, recording 52 points in 52 games last season while appearing in a total of 195 WHL games overall.

Though Arizona State’s hockey program has declined to comment on the commitment due to NCAA regulations surrounding player discussions prior to official signings, the news has ignited conversations about the future of college hockey.

There is an increasing dialogue surrounding the need to revise rules regarding CHL players, especially following the relaxation of NCAA Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) guidelines in 2021. Advocates for change often highlight athletes in other sports, such as Olympic swimmers, who have maintained their NCAA eligibility while also being well-compensated. Furthermore, certain college hockey programs have successfully enlisted players who competed overseas without facing barriers from the NCAA.

WHL Commissioner Dan Near commented on the ongoing changes in hockey, noting, “Anyone who loves hockey and developmental leagues has been watching what’s been happening in the NIL space and in the transfer portal space, trying to imagine if this will have implications on the future of how junior hockey players develop.” He emphasized the possibility of this action being the catalyst for further changes in this arena.

Whitehead attributes his commitment to Arizona State to the groundwork laid by the recent class-action lawsuit. While the NCAA anticipated legal maneuvering in this domain, they had not modified their stance prior to the lawsuit being filed.

Eliminating these restrictions could broaden the talent pool available for NCAA hockey teams, although some coaches express concerns. Their worry is that top-tier talents might opt against college hockey if the current eligibility penalties are lifted, preferring instead to remain in major-junior leagues.

Whitehead has always dreamed of playing collegiate hockey in the United States, a passion ignited during his upbringing in Alaska. He found inspiration in the class-action lawsuit, which motivated him to reach out to various NCAA programs, making Arizona State his top choice.

He expressed his excitement about the timing of his commitment amidst these transformative conversations. After revealing the commitment to his teammates in Regina, he was met with overwhelming support, sparking interest among some of them to consider pursuing their own NCAA commitments.

Whitehead’s commitment to ASU could potentially pave the way for numerous CHL players in the future. Reports suggest that some NCAA programs are preparing to reallocate their recruiting resources to actively scout CHL games this season.

With discussions about expanding post-graduation options for WHL players on the rise, Commissioner Near remarked, “The more options our players have coming out of our league, the better.”

Source: ESPN