Whitehead is 1st CHL Player to Verbally Commit to NCAA Hockey

Braxton Whitehead has officially announced his verbal commitment to Arizona State University, marking a significant milestone in college hockey. He is the first player from a Canadian Hockey League (CHL) team to pursue collegiate hockey at the Division I level following a lawsuit that is challenging the NCAA’s long-standing prohibition on players considered to be professionals.

Whitehead shared his plans on social media, expressing anticipation about joining the Sun Devils for the 2025-26 season.

In response to the announcement, an Arizona State spokesperson noted that NCAA rules prevent them from commenting on verbal commitments. Additionally, there was no immediate reply from the CHL when contacted for comment.

The legal action, which was initiated on August 13 in a U.S. District Court in Buffalo, New York, has the potential to greatly impact players from the CHL’s three major leagues: the Western Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League, and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Currently, the NCAA regards these leagues as professional, and thus prohibits their players from eligibility in college hockey.

Documents filed in court indicate the NCAA has yet to respond to the lawsuit since its filing.

Players in the CHL typically receive a stipend for living expenses that does not exceed $600 each month. This stipend is not classified as income for tax purposes. In contrast, college athletes can access scholarships and have opportunities to profit from endorsements and their personal brands through name, image, and likeness (NIL) agreements.

The ramifications of this lawsuit could extend far beyond Whitehead’s decision. Should the plaintiffs succeed, it could intensify the competition for college-aged hockey talent between the primary feeder systems for the NHL in North America.

Forrest Karr, the executive director of the American Hockey Coaches Association and the athletic director at Minnesota-Duluth, acknowledged these transformative changes in collegiate sports. He also mentioned that efforts are underway to understand how these shifts will affect players and eligibility.

At the beginning of this year, Karr established two committees focused on men’s and women’s hockey to tackle various eligibility issues raised by NCAA policies. The men’s committee was set to review its responses a couple of weeks ago.

Don Lucia, a former Minnesota coach and Central Collegiate Hockey Association commissioner, expressed optimism regarding the lawsuit. He stated it presents a chance for stakeholders to reevaluate the eligibility criteria for CHL players regarding NCAA participation. Lucia noted, “I don’t know if it would be necessarily settled through the courts or changes at the NCAA level, but I think the time is certainly fast approaching where some decisions will be made in the near future of what the eligibility will look like for a player that plays in the CHL and NCAA.”

Whitehead is a 20-year-old forward from Alaska, who has developed into a notable player, averaging a point per game. He plans to continue playing this season with the Regina Pats of the Western Hockey League.

In his post on Instagram, Whitehead expressed gratitude for the opportunities afforded to him by the WHL, stating, “The WHL has given me an incredible opportunity to develop as a player, and I couldn’t be more excited.”

His commitment to Arizona State is a promising development for the hockey program, which has rapidly evolved since it transitioned to Division I in 2015. Arizona State is known for producing NHL talent, such as goaltender Joey Daccord, currently with the Seattle Kraken, and Josh Doan, son of former Coyotes captain Shane Doan, who now plays for the Utah Grizzlies after the team relocated from the Phoenix area to Salt Lake City.

As the future of collegiate ice hockey hangs in the balance amid ongoing legal challenges, the anticipation grows surrounding how these developments will shape the sport for aspiring players.

Source: AP News