CHL, NCAA Eligibility Impacts Max Namestnikov joined the ranks of overage players who will join the NCAA [https://thehockeynews.com/ncaa/] next season. The experienced forward will play for Bemidji State University for the 2025-26 season. Born in Wolverine Michigan, Namestnikov will be returning to the United States after spending the last four years playing for Canadian teams in the OHL. The Sarnia Sting drafted Namestnikov third overall in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection. In 86 games with Sarnia, he recorded 20 goals and 27 assists before being traded to Guelph early in the 2022-23 season. The 5-foot-8 forward thrived in Guelph scoring 54 points in 47 games to end the season. During the three years he's played for Guelph, Namestnikov has averaged .85 points per game. In Namestnikov, Bemidji State gains a small, skilled forward who plays a fast game on the ice. He has proven his scoring ability and gained valuable experience having played more than 200 OHL games. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsMbthGHnxM[/embed] The downside to Namestnikov's game is his size. Due to his smaller stature, the speedy forward can struggle in physical battles and get pushed off of pucks. He will once again have to prove that his scoring ability outweighs his size when he joins the NCAA. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
