The NCAA recently made the decision to allow student athletes to compete in non NCAA programs for this season.
This says everything you need to know about NCAA and junior hockey for this season.
NCAA programs likely will not play until January 2021. Some sources are saying mid January to mid February are potential return dates. Others are saying that the potential for a November start is simply a pipe dream likely to blow up in peoples faces.
While the NCAA is many things, most of which are unfair to the players, it certainly got this call right this time.
Players in many cases can not even get into the United States, especially Canadian players. Those under age Canadians who can play junior will now solidify those Tier II rosters, and keep players on the ice.
Those in the United States will seek out the USHL and then trickle down to the NCDC and NAHL. Pushing more players down to Tier III.
The combination of all these events could raise the level of play at every level significantly.
The downside?
There is still a very high probability that not all teams will play or that many teams will be forced to stop after starting.
The most important thing is that the NCAA finally did something before it became too late. Known for complacency, the NCAA gets a high mark for this move.
Lets see what happens now.
Joseph Kolodziej – Adviser
