On Friday, Braxton Whitehead announced that he has verbally committed to play for Arizona State, making him the first player from a Canadian Hockey League (CHL) team to plan on joining NCAA hockey at the Division I level since a lawsuit challenged the NCAA’s long-standing rule against players it considers professionals.
Whitehead shared on social media that he intends to join the Sun Devils starting in the 2025-26 season.
An Arizona State spokesperson mentioned that the school cannot comment on verbal commitments due to NCAA rules. The CHL did not respond immediately to a message seeking comment.
A class-action lawsuit filed on August 13 in U.S. District Court in Buffalo, New York, might affect players from the CHL’s Western Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League, and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. NCAA rules view these leagues as professional and currently prevent their players from joining college teams.
Online court records indicate that the NCAA has not yet responded to the lawsuit since it was filed.
CHL players receive a stipend of up to $600 per month for living expenses, which is not taxed as income. College players receive scholarships and can now earn money through endorsements and other uses of their name, image, and likeness (NIL).
The lawsuit could have significant effects. If successful, it might increase competition for college-aged players between the top sources of NHL draft-eligible talent in North America.
Forrest Karr, executive director of the American Hockey Coaches Association and athletic director at Minnesota-Duluth, mentioned last month that everyone in their coaches association is aware of the major changes happening in collegiate athletics and is working to understand these changes.
Karr was not available for comment on Friday.
