US Edition
Myers: Big Money Signings the Latest Twist in College Hockey’s New World
UNITED STATES, JUL 14 – NCAA's 2024 rule change allows Canadian major junior players like McKenna to pursue college hockey, with Penn State reportedly offering a record six-figure deal, boosting program competitiveness.
- Projected first overall pick Gavin McKenna, 17, announced on June 8, 2025, during a live ESPN SportsCentre appearance that he will play NCAA hockey at Penn State University next season.
- The NCAA rule change in November 2024, which opened U.S. college eligibility to Canadian Hockey League players, has significantly boosted NCAA recruiting by allowing top juniors to compete at U.S. colleges.
- Recently, McKenna scored 129 points with 41 goals and 88 assists for the Medicine Hat Tigers, plus reportedly offered $250,000 to attend Michigan State and skate for Trey Augustine.
- His announcement drew attention to Pegula Ice Arena after Penn State's first Frozen Four appearance, in a move reminiscent of LeBron James’s televised `Decision` from 2010.
- In the broader landscape, the rule change opened new doors for junior athletes balancing professional aspirations with academic opportunity, marking a significant shift across roughly 60 teams nationwide.
25 Articles
25 Articles
Pioneer Press
Myers: Big money signings the latest twist in college hockey’s new world
At the 2023 NCAA Frozen Four in Tampa, Fla., Gophers coach Bob Motzko took questions before the tournament with future NHLers like Logan Cooley, Ryan Johnson and Jimmy Snuggerud flanking him. On that day, just over two years ago, Motzko was asked about how name, image and likeness money was affecting other college sports and how it might affect NCAA hockey in the future. “Hockey is behind a little bit in the conversation,” Motzko said, perhaps i…
After Gavin McKenna chose the NCAA over the WHL how worried should the CHL be going forward?
Bryan Hayes and Jonas Siegel are joined by OHL Commissioner Bryan Crawford and they discuss when NIL deals in the NCAA will hurt the future of the CHL and Crawford explains why the CHL future is in good hands and things are being blown out of proportion.
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