For years, the CHL complained that its players should be eligible to play NCAA hockey. Decades really. As of 2025, CHL players are now playing NCAA hockey moving forward. One would think that the CHL as a group would be happy that their mission for inclusion has bee made successful because of the actions taken by a few players and a lawsuit not initiated by the CHL itself.
Now, after losing several high profile and talented young players from the CHL rosters, the group of Major Junior leagues is trying to hit back at the NCAA clubs they chased after for that very inclusion.
The CHL’s decision to deny scouting passes, and full scouting access to players, to NCAA programs is a childish reaction to losing some talented players. It is attempting to take its toys out of the sandbox so other children cannot play with them.
As if by doing this it will keep NCAA programs from contacting players, or by attending games to scout them. This is a case of be careful what you wish for.
NCAA scouts will simply now have to buy tickets and contact players outside of team chanels. So the CHL in its infinite wisdom has now taken above board scouting and player recruiting and turned it into something they will not even be involved with. Does that sound smart? Does that sound like they are looking out for the players best interests?
This action by the CHL shows clearly that they are about protecting their cash cows. This is about money, and limiting players ability to leave for what is the best development league in the world, NCAA hockey. If you lose talent, you lose ticket sales and a lot of other revenuw streams. The CHL is not about to let that happen without a fight.
Will USA Hockey and the USHL now stop allowing CHL scouts too attend games and events? Will we see more protective measures taking place at all levels of amateur hockey in North America? What happened to “its all about the kids”?
Parents and players take note of this. Its important that you understand that this game is also a financial machine. This machine, and those that operate it, will do everything they have to in order to protect what they have. This includes blocking people who may offer more attractive avenues for your development as a player and student athlete from contacting you.
The CHL actions though are really more likely to end as Don Quixote did when charging at windmills. Those windmills in the end may not have been giants, but they still knocked him down.
