'Bad for sport, bad for USA', 'This is end of USHL?': Hockey fans concerned as D1 council votes to allow CHL players to play in NCAA next season 

A new development in the world of college hockey has fans talking, and their reactions aren't all positive.

The NCAA Division 1 council officially approved the measure on Wednesday on a measure allowing hockey players from the Canadian Hockey League to begin suiting up in the NCAA.

The leagues that are included in the CHL are the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League, and Western Hockey League.

Fan reaction on social media to the measure is mixed, at best.

"I have zero desire to watch a 24-year-old CHL retread play D1 hockey. It will only make the collegiate level worse. This is quite simply bad for the sport and bad for USA," wrote @ScipioLonginus

"Nope. Hockey is already the only major sport where kids hoping to play NCAA have little choice but to pause life for 1-2 years and go play junior. This just makes that pattern worse. And almost none of these kids is playing pro. College hockey should be kids, not men," exclaimed @idiotboy1999

Big win here, all around. Lot of talent comes through the CHL, but very few kids actually get to play hockey for a living. Nice option, to be able to extend your playing career a little longer, and maybe get a free education out of it, too," opined @semiAutoDave, who clearly had a different viewpoint.

"I don’t think this is as good as it’s being made out to be in the longterm. If the concern is financials/making money…then sure it’s great. If it’s about USA hockey, growth and development of US collegiate players then this is going to change that glideslope," added @RIPPEY720.

"probably great for lower tier I programs and some CHL players but that's about it," wrote @BostonDumb.

"is this the end of USHL?" wondered @Igaliku.

It's clear that opinion on this measure is divided.

NCAA Council Chair Josh Whitman explained the measure

Part of the measure that was voted upon includes the stipulation that the athletes won't be paid more than actual and necessary expenses.

"As the council continues its review of the full spectrum of NCAA eligibility rules, this proposal, focused on a singular issue, represents a pragmatic step in aligning skiing and men's ice hockey with other sports in terms of allowable preenrollment activities," said Josh Whitman, athletics director at Illinois and chair of the council.

Recruitment is also allowed to begin immediately for NCAA clubs. The new date of the rule change is set for August 1, 2025.

The NCAA had previously forbidden any CHL player from participating due to some players having already been technically under contract with NHL clubs.