The WHL commissioner and an NHL player agent shared different visions for player development through major junior hockey versus the NCAA.
WHL commissioner Dan Near was a guest on the July 18 episode of The Pipeline Show, hosted by Guy Flaming. On the show, Near discussed the path through the WHL to get to the pro level, where he thinks college-level hockey comes into play and the differences between major junior and the NCAA.
The episode came out after the projected first-overall pick in the 2026 NHL draft, Gavin McKenna, announced his commitment to the Penn State Nittany Lions on July 10. Other WHLers to commit to an NCAA program include Columbus Blue Jackets prospects Cayden Lindstrom and Jackson Smith, and Minnesota Wild prospect Ryder Ritchie.
Near said this won’t be the first time a top draft pick goes the college route, but it’s the first time they started in the WHL and moved on to college, and everyone will have to see how it turns out.
“Our perspective is we’re a development league for pro hockey,” Near said. “We think the majority of players coming through our league, once thing balances out over time, are going to say, ‘Wow, this whole thing is structured to get me to the pro level. If I need more time, I’m not ready to go pro when I’m done in the Western Hockey League, I’ve got NCAA and I’ve got U Sports as an option that can be a continued development option.’ But the idea that there’s going to be a mass exodus, I’m just not prepared to concede on that.”
Near referred to the WHL’s 68-game schedule, the best-of-seven playoff series and how the overall grind prepares players better for not only the NHL but for the AHL and other pro leagues.
He suggested WHL players are better prepared for what to expect in an AHL environment than college players because of the 68-game schedule, the best-of-seven playoff series and the overall grind.
“I know people who have flown coach their whole life and then had an opportunity to get upgraded, and they sat in business class,” Near said. “Do you know how hard it is to go back to coach once you’ve sat in business class?
“The American Hockey League versus the NCAA environment, I’m not sure that playing a Friday-Saturday schedule and then pumping iron and drinking smoothies all week is necessarily the best segway into what the AHL grind is like.”
He said every player has their nuances, but he’s very confident in how the WHL operates and its results, and there won’t be drastic changes. That said, he wished WHLers going to college hockey all the best.
The business class analogy and the AHL-versus-NCAA quote, which appeared in a promotional snippet of the full episode earlier in the week, were shared on social media on Wednesday. That prompted renowned player agent Allan Walsh to give his perspective.
“This is not the message to be sending,” Walsh said in a responding post on X. “The WHL will slowly bleed out and lose power, prestige, along with all their top players by mocking those who leave to play NCAA as soft.”
He also said that teams in the NHL love the development model and programs the NCAA provides.
“The WHL should allow teams to reimburse $2,000 per player for summer training like the OHL/QMJHL instead of banning it league-wide,” he added. “In no world should the WHL be selling (12-hour) bus rides as character-building opportunities. Either invest in the players or slowly fade away.”
Near became the WHL’s commissioner in February 2024, replacing Ron Robison, who retired after 24 seasons in the role. Near previously worked for the NHL, Five Ten and Adidas before joining the WHL.
Walsh is the co-managing director of hockey talent and properties at Octogon and oversees nearly 30 NHL player contracts. He was ranked 68th on The Hockey News’ 100 People of Power and Influence list in 2025.
Correction: Jackson Smith played in WHL Tri-City this past season.
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