The NHL Entry Draft represents a monumental pivot point in a young hockey player`s career. After years of dedication, countless hours on the ice, and relentless scouting, hearing your name called is just the beginning. The next critical phase involves deciding *where* to play while developing towards the ultimate goal: a spot in the National Hockey League. For North American prospects, this often boils down to a strategic choice between two prominent pathways: the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) or NCAA college hockey.
Traditionally, the CHL—comprising the Western Hockey League (WHL), Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)—has been the primary feeder league for the NHL. It offers a rigorous schedule, extensive travel, and a professional-style environment. However, the landscape is gradually shifting, with the NCAA gaining increasing traction as a viable and attractive alternative for elite prospects.
The NCAA Option: A Rising Tide
The recent, albeit slightly forward-looking, decision by projected 2026 first-overall pick Gavin McKenna to commit to Penn State for the 2025-26 season cast a spotlight on the NCAA route. While McKenna`s move is for the following draft class, it underscores a growing confidence among top-tier talent in college hockey as a developmental path. This trend is already evident among players selected in the 2025 draft.
Unlike the CHL, the NCAA allows players to maintain amateur status, crucially preserving their eligibility for college scholarships while developing their game against older, stronger competition. For some, the appeal of pursuing a university education alongside their hockey career is a significant factor. The environment, often featuring fewer games than the CHL schedule, allows more time for training, skill development, and academic pursuits.
Two Paths Diverge: ELC vs. NCAA
A key differentiator dictating a drafted player`s immediate path is the signing of an NHL Entry-Level Contract (ELC). Once a player signs an ELC, they are no longer eligible to play in the NCAA. This forces a decision: commit to the professional track immediately (which might involve returning to the CHL if they don`t make the NHL roster) or choose the college route with its educational benefits and a potentially longer, but perhaps more structured, development period.
We`ve already seen this play out with several 2025 draftees:
- Some players, like eighth-overall pick Jake O`Brien (Seattle Kraken) and eleventh-overall pick Ben Kindel (Pittsburgh Penguins), have signed ELCs. This commits them to the professional system. If they don`t crack the NHL lineup straight away, they will return to their respective CHL teams (OHL`s Brantford and WHL`s Calgary, respectively). Lynden Lakovic (#27 to Washington Capitals) follows a similar path back to the WHL`s Moose Jaw.
- Conversely, other high picks have explicitly chosen the NCAA route. Jackson Smith, selected 14th overall by the Washington Capitals, has committed to Penn State. Cole Reschny, the 18th pick by an unmentioned team (the source article mentions “formerly of the WHL Victoria Royals,” but doesn`t state the NHL team), is heading to North Dakota. Their commitment signals a clear intention to develop in the college system for at least the upcoming season.
The Number One Pick`s Puzzle: Matthew Schaefer
All eyes are now on the first-overall pick, defenseman Matthew Schaefer, drafted by the New York Islanders from the OHL`s Erie Otters. While the aspiration for a first-overall pick is often to jump directly to the NHL, this is generally considered a more challenging feat for defensemen compared to forwards. History offers some precedent; the last defenseman taken first overall, Owen Power in 2021, spent an additional year developing at the University of Michigan after being drafted.
Schaefer`s situation is complicated slightly by an injury that limited his play last season. While an immediate leap to the NHL is undoubtedly the target, the Islanders and Schaefer himself face a strategic choice. Will he prove ready for the NHL? If not, will he return to Erie, or is an NCAA path, perhaps following the Power blueprint, on the table? His decision remains a key piece of the puzzle in the post-draft landscape.
Uncertainty for College Programs
This fluidity in prospect decisions poses a unique challenge for NCAA programs. College teams recruit players years in advance, building their rosters with commitments. When highly-drafted players hold off on signing ELCs, college teams must gauge the likelihood of these players actually joining their ranks versus making an NHL roster. Holding a valuable roster spot for a player who might not show up is a delicate balancing act, requiring careful communication and strategic planning in this evolving environment.
The Future is Flexible
Ultimately, the path a top prospect takes after the draft is a deeply personal and strategic decision influenced by various factors, including their development needs, academic aspirations, team needs, and contract offers. The traditional CHL route remains dominant, but the NCAA is clearly cementing its status as a legitimate and increasingly popular alternative for elite talent. As more high picks like Smith, Reschny, and even future prospects like McKenna choose college hockey, the dynamics of post-draft player development will continue to offer fascinating insights into the future of NHL star pipelines.
Ellis Thorne 
Percy Harlow