Report: NCAA considering rule change to allow junior hockey league pros to play

College hockey could be getting a massive influx of potential players, that is if the NCAA alters a rule preventing a certain type of professional players from participating.

ESPN's John Buccigross posted a report on X Monday providing an update on an evolving situation at the regulatory level.

Buccigross wrote that Division I commissioners are recommending "to consider emergency legislation" on Tuesday and Wednesday that would eliminate the bylaw forbidding athletes financially compensated for playing hockey from participating on college teams.

The issue that broached the hasty response by the NCAA is a class action lawsuit filed in September which contests the NCAA's rule violates anti-trust law.

Braxton Whitehead, who plays for the Western Hockey League's Regina Pats, committed to Arizona State despite being ineligible and joined the suit with the intent of playing at some point this season.

"Ice hockey teams in the United States and Canada, classified by the Canadian Hockey Association as major junior teams, are considered professional teams under NCAA legislation," Buccigross cited in his report.

However, other collegiate sports like tennis and golf — which allow its amateurs to play against professionals in competitions — permit players to participate if they were paid prior to enrolling in college.

"An individual may compete on a professional team provided the individual does not receive more than actual and necessary expenses to participate on the team," Buccigross explained.

Ice hockey and skiing are the only exceptions to this standard.

This would open the door to many players, who typically sign with teams in Canadian and American junior leagues to advance their hockey careers.