Canadian Hockey League (CHL) players could soon obtain the right to play in the American university circuit, a change that would disrupt the way things are done on several levels, but which would ultimately be positive, according to the players’ agent Pat Brisson.
The leaders of the NCAA, which oversees American university hockey, are these days considering authorizing players from the Canadian major junior circuits to come and play in their ranks – which has always been prohibited, since the organization considered the players junior leagues, who are paid, like professionals.
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It is the decision to allow college athletes to earn money through the use of their name or image, made in 2019, that now makes the reflection possible. A lawsuit notably involving a young Canadian hockey player deprived of access to American university hockey is also in question.
If the proposal is accepted, it will therefore become possible for a player who has played a few games or a few seasons in the CHL to continue his career in an American university at the age of 18, 19 or 20.
“We’ve been looking at this very closely for a long time,” Brisson admitted in an interview with “JiC”. It’s been about twenty years.”
“I see it as a great thing for hockey in Canada,” he added, deploring all the restrictions that the decision to commit to a team on the Canadian major junior circuits entailed for a young player.
“From now on, the way I see it is that the best league in the world should be the CHL when the best players aged 15, but especially 16, 17 and 18 years old should play there,” explained the powerful Quebec agent.
“But at 18-19-20 years old, the kid should have the right to leave and go play at Boston College or Michigan, or whatever,” he then clarified.
Such a system would benefit CHL teams, who would ensure they have the vast majority of the world’s best 15- to 18-year-old prospects, he said, since even European, or even American, players could suddenly be tempted by the experience now that it will no longer close the doors of American university hockey to them.
“The CHL is going to have all the best players in the world,” insisted Brisson. At that point, if you’re the owner of a team, you’re going to have the best talent in the world. You might not get them at 19, but the best ones are gone at that age anyway.”
“Players who have been in your league for three years and continue to progress, they can leave to go play in college at 19,” he continued. It’s correct, you got them at 16, 17, 18 years old. You’re going to sell your tickets the same.”
Brisson also believes that the NCAA could benefit, since it will no longer have, among other things, to promise scholarships to very young athletes. It will also have access to an expanded pool of high-caliber players.
“It’s a 100% win-win,” he said.
It was also discussed, during this interview, the upcoming renewal of television rights agreements in the NHL, the strong start to the season of his client Cole Caufield and the motivation still at the top of two of his oldest, but renowned colts. , Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.
Watch the full interview in the main video.
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