The landscape of NCAA Hockey is changing at a rapid pace this upcoming season. With major rule changes allowing Canadian Hockey League players to transfer to NCAA schools, household names such as Gavin McKenna (Penn State Nittany Lions), Roger McQueen (Providence College Friars), and Porter Martone (Michigan State University) look to bring the college hockey game to new heights.
In addition to CHL players, we are starting to see commitments from pro players, transferring to college programs for the upcoming season. This is made possible due to amendments to the NCAA Bylaw 12.02.4(a), which now allows NCAA eligibility to pro players, as long as they meet certain financial criteria.
As of August 1, 2025, professional hockey players maintain their NCAA eligibility, provided they have not been compensated beyond "actual and necessary expenses." This means the professional players cannot receive a salary, but can receive stipends covering meals, lodging, apparel and equipment, coaching and instruction, health and medical insurance, transportation, medical treatment and physical therapy, facility usage, entry fees, and other reasonable expenses, per NCAA Bylaw 12.02.4(a).- NCAA Bylaw 12.02.4(a) interpretation by Phelps.com<br>
Of the pro-to-college commitments so far, the most prominent is Jack Beck who committed to the Arizona State Sun Devils this past week. Beck played four years in the OHL with the Ottawa 67's. Last year, he played pro hockey, splitting time with the ECHL's Wheeling Nailers (36 points in 36 games) and the American Hockey Leagues's Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (3 points in 4 games). He is expected to skate in his first NCAA game during the team's NCHC opener at Miami on October 31.
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Last season, <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins">Pittsburgh Penguins</a>' prospect Jack Beck got off to a great start with the Wheeling Nailers of the ECHL to kick off his professional career, establishing himself as a point-per-game player, seeing a small and successful sample size in the AHL, and - subsequently - <a href="https://www.wbspenguins.com/penguins-re-sign-beck-for-next-season/">earning himself an AHL contract for the 2025-26 season</a>.