New NCAA Proposal
Posted: Sun Apr 26, 2026 8:01 am
Okay... There is a pending proposal with the NCAA, the "Five in Five" eligibility for D-I. It would allow athletes to compete for five seasons within a five-year period, starting at high school graduation or age 19, whichever occurs first. This would also eliminate most waivers/redshirts. Hockey would fall under this as it is proposed right now.
Hockey has always kind of been the "red-headed step child" when it comes to NCAA regulations. Everyone focuses on the major sports, which makes sense since those are the money makers and the sports most fans follow. Niche sports are always an after thought, and proposals in front of the NCAA for a vote always seem to not take niche sports into account.
If passed (vote is possible in May), what do you see happening with hockey, especially in the High School ranks in Minnesota? Will Juniors cease to exist, or will they get younger? Will high school players in Minnesota bolt for Juniors earlier?
If passed, it could be interesting as I would think the NCAA would have to "grandfather" in the current players. You could end up with a 19 year old freshman (possibly 18 depending on birthday and graduation) playing against 25 year old seniors for a few years (not that it couldn't happen now, but it is few and far between with the Junior Hockey structure).
My fear is that MN HS hockey will decline. I can see players leaving earlier for Juniors so they can get the games/experience before hitting the college ranks at 18/19.
I have said that since the Wild, Wild West of the portal/NIL/money has happened, the pendulum was eventually going to swing the other direction and possibly become too restrictive. I think it is going to take some time and probably several proposal passings to get everything into the so called "sweet spot".
Hockey has always kind of been the "red-headed step child" when it comes to NCAA regulations. Everyone focuses on the major sports, which makes sense since those are the money makers and the sports most fans follow. Niche sports are always an after thought, and proposals in front of the NCAA for a vote always seem to not take niche sports into account.
If passed (vote is possible in May), what do you see happening with hockey, especially in the High School ranks in Minnesota? Will Juniors cease to exist, or will they get younger? Will high school players in Minnesota bolt for Juniors earlier?
If passed, it could be interesting as I would think the NCAA would have to "grandfather" in the current players. You could end up with a 19 year old freshman (possibly 18 depending on birthday and graduation) playing against 25 year old seniors for a few years (not that it couldn't happen now, but it is few and far between with the Junior Hockey structure).
My fear is that MN HS hockey will decline. I can see players leaving earlier for Juniors so they can get the games/experience before hitting the college ranks at 18/19.
I have said that since the Wild, Wild West of the portal/NIL/money has happened, the pendulum was eventually going to swing the other direction and possibly become too restrictive. I think it is going to take some time and probably several proposal passings to get everything into the so called "sweet spot".