What Will The NHL Do?
Written by Bob Turow and Dan k Show Staff
Hockey 101 March 18, 2025
For a long time, the NHL has not favored of any of the different North American development levels supplying the NHL with talent. The NHL has typically stayed neutral and allowed countries and leagues to organically compete and supply the NHL with talent.
There are exceptions. In 1967, the NHL supplied what is now called the CHL with development money that stemmed from the NHL divesting their financial stakes in the Canadian Junior feeder system. The NHL was expanding out from its original six-team model, and they needed to ensure the success of junior hockey against the entrenched popularity of Senior Hockey in Canada. These millions still flow to the CHL. The NHL matched this funding in America when in 2010 the NHL gave an equal amount to American interests that filtered through USAH to the USNTDP, USHL and NCAA. The NHL has stayed out of the way by not choosing favorites, while still supplying money to ensure the stability of the pipeline.
With CHL players now allowed to play in the NCAA, the NHL may be ready to change their thinking. When Youngstown and Muskegon wanted to leave the USHL and join the OHL it is reported that the NHL stepped in and supported USAH’s effort to block the moves. Further reports by Hockey Insider Elliotte Friedman from Hockey Night in Canada are that the three CHL leagues along with the USHL are meeting with the NHL this week to discuss the changing landscape. NHL to meet with CHL, other junior leagues.
Hockey 101 has long said whoever secures North America’s best 18- and 19-year-olds will supply the NHL with talent and that battle is between the NCAA and CHL. It is not between the CHL and the USHL. So, the question is why is the NCAA not in these meetings?
The next question is if the NHL is inserting itself into the development process, will they tip the scales in favor for either the CHL or NCAA? Hockey 101 has said that it is in the best interests of the NHL to have the future talent of the NHL game coming from the NCAA rather than the CHL: just like the NFL, NBA and MLB. Why should the NHL be more focused on supporting NCAA Hockey?
1) There is little to no more revenue for the NHL to make in Canada. The majority of revenue growth opportunities are in America.
2) The American general public has no idea what the CHL is or who their teams are.
3) The NCAA and schools like the Michigan Wolverines, Minnesota Gophers, Boston College Eagles, Penn State Nittany Lions, Ohio State Buckeyes, Boston University Terriers and Michigan State Spartans are American brands and the NHL should partner with the NCAA to realize potential revenue growth in America.
4) If NCAA Hockey attracts NHL bound players and has more exposure on TV and streaming, one could argue more players in America will play hockey and become fans from which the NHL will benefit from.
5) NCAA fans, some of the most dedicated fans in sports, follow their alumni. They travel and spend money to continue to watch players who no longer play for their schools but are not playing professionally.
6) All of this could lead to the expansion of NCAA hockey. Imagine if the UCLA Bruins, Georgia Bulldogs, USC Trojans, Florida Gators and Oregon Ducks establish D1 programs. This could lead to an explosion of hockey and NHL revenues like when Gretzky went to the Los Angeles Kings.
The NHL has these reasons, and potentially billions ($$$) more to wade into the fight for the best young players on the side of NCAA and US-based hockey.