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Whitehead Makes History as First CHL Player to Verbally Commit to NCAA Hockey
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    Whitehead Makes History as First CHL Player to Verbally Commit to NCAA Hockey

    Braxton Whitehead said Friday he has verbally committed to Arizona State, making him the first member of a Canadian Hockey League team to attempt to play the sport at the Division I U.S. college level since a lawsuit was filed challenging the NCAA’s longstanding ban on players it deems to be professionals.

    Whitehead posted on social media he plans to play for the Sun Devils beginning in the 2025-26 season.

    An Arizona State spokesperson said the school could not comment on verbal commitments, citing NCAA rules. A message left with the CHL was not immediately returned.

    A class-action lawsuit filed Aug. 13 in U.S. District Court in Buffalo, New York, could change the landscape for players from the CHL’s Western Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League. NCAA bylaws consider them professional leagues and bar players from there from the college ranks.

    Online court records show the NCAA has not made any response to the lawsuit since it was filed.

    CHL players receive a stipend of no more than $600 per month for living expenses, which is not considered as income for tax purposes. College players receive scholarships and now can earn money through endorsements and other use of their name, image and likeness (NIL).

    The implications of the lawsuit could be far-reaching. If successful, the case could increase competition for college-age talent between North America’s two top producers of NHL draft-eligible players.

    “I think that everyone involved in our coaches association is aware of some of the transformational changes that are occurring in collegiate athletics,” Forrest Karr, executive director of American Hockey Coaches Association and Minnesota-Duluth athletic director said last month. “And we are trying to be proactive and trying to learn what we can about those changes.

    Karr was not immediately available for comment on Friday.

    Earlier this year, Karr established two committees — one each overseeing men’s and women’s hockey — to respond to various questions on eligibility submitted to the group by the NCAA. The men’s committee was scheduled to go over its responses two weeks ago.

    Former Minnesota coach and Central Collegiate Hockey Association commissioner Don Lucia said at the time that the lawsuit provides the opportunity for stakeholders to look at the situation.

    “I don’t know if it would be necessarily settled through the courts or changes at the NCAA level, but I think the time is certainly fast approaching where some decisions will be made in the near future of what the eligibility will look like for a player that plays in the CHL and NCAA,” Lucia said.

    Whitehead, a 20-year-old forward from Alaska who has developed into a point-a-game player, said he plans to play again this season with the Regina Pats of the Western Hockey League.

    “The WHL has given me an incredible opportunity to develop as a player, and I couldn’t be more excited,” Whitehead posted on Instagram.

    His addition is the latest boon for Arizona State hockey, a program that has blossomed in the desert far from traditional places like Massachusetts, Minnesota and Michigan since entering Division I in 2015. It has already produced NHL talent, including Seattle goaltender Joey Daccord and Josh Doan, the son of longtime Coyotes captain Shane Doan, who now plays for Utah after that team moved from the Phoenix area to Salt Lake City.

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    In a groundbreaking move for the Canadian Hockey League (CHL), defenseman Owen Whitehead has made history by becoming the first CHL player to verbally commit to playing NCAA hockey. The 17-year-old from Calgary, Alberta, has signed a letter of intent to play for the University of Michigan Wolverines starting in the 2023-2024 season.

    Whitehead’s decision to choose the NCAA route over the traditional CHL route is a significant one, as it marks a shift in the way young Canadian hockey players are approaching their development and future careers. Historically, top Canadian prospects have opted to play in the CHL, which includes leagues such as the Western Hockey League (WHL), Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), in order to increase their visibility and improve their chances of being drafted into the NHL.

    However, in recent years, more and more players have been choosing the NCAA route as a viable alternative to the CHL. The NCAA offers student-athletes the opportunity to earn a college degree while playing competitive hockey at a high level. Additionally, NCAA players are eligible to be drafted into the NHL just like CHL players, making it an attractive option for those looking to pursue a career in professional hockey.

    Whitehead’s decision to commit to Michigan is a testament to the growing appeal of NCAA hockey among young Canadian players. The Wolverines have a strong hockey program with a history of producing NHL talent, and Whitehead is excited to be a part of that tradition.

    In a statement released by his agent, Whitehead expressed his excitement about joining the Wolverines and his belief that playing NCAA hockey will help him achieve his goal of playing in the NHL. He also thanked his family, coaches, and teammates for their support throughout his career.

    Whitehead’s commitment to Michigan is not only a milestone for him personally, but also a significant moment for the CHL and NCAA hockey as a whole. It highlights the increasing competitiveness between the two development paths for young hockey players and underscores the changing landscape of Canadian junior hockey.

    As more and more players like Whitehead choose the NCAA route, it will be interesting to see how this trend continues to shape the future of hockey development in Canada and beyond. With opportunities for young players expanding and new paths to success emerging, the future looks bright for aspiring hockey stars like Owen Whitehead.