With the New NCAA Rule Change, 10 Local Prospects Who Should Strongly Be Considering the CHL

The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) has long been the gold-standard of development for players aspiring to reach the NHL. In fact over the last 10 years, nearly 40% of all NHL draft selections came from one of the CHL’s 3 member-leagues, with the OHL sitting atop this developmental pyramid. Specifically the OHL has led every league in the world over the last 10 years in total NHL draft selections, as well as total 1st and 2nd round NHL picks. In fact, over the last 5 years, 25% of all opening-day NHL rosters were made up of players who have come through the OHL. 

With such a high rate of success the league has been an obvious choice for top-end prospects. Until recently however, players considering this path were faced with a difficult decision because signing in the CHL meant that they had to forfeit their NCAA eligibility. This resulted in the league being very appealing for players who were likely to be pro-ready immediately after aging out of junior hockey, but much less so for late-blooming players who might need a few extra seasons in college before being ready to sign professional contracts. 

Now, thanks to the recent NCAA rule changes, young players won’t have to make this decision, as CHL players will now be eligible to participate in NCAA hockey. While we are still awaiting specifics on how this situation plays out (and keeping in mind that the devil is often in the details), here are 10 local prospects that we believe should seriously consider signing in the OHL.

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Mason Courville - American goalies don’t always look to make the jump to the CHL but we think it could be a great move for the WBS netminder. To begin with, he’s got good size which is going to be appealing to OHL clubs who place a premium on NHL potential. Furthermore, a late October birthdate gives him extra runway for development, and having a father who played in the league is something that will certainly get attention from OHL brass. 

Braden Horton - The power- forward from SSM makes a ton of sense for the OHL. To begin with he already has a pro-frame so he likely won’t need the years of extra physical development after junior hockey. He also plays a heavy pro-style that should translate very well to major junior games. Add to that his 200-ft game, and you have a player who could be very pro-ready after a few seasons of development in the OHL.

Ryan Kaczynski - The MFF forward consistently stands out with his size and offensive tools. He generates a ton of chances with his strength and long reach and he shows some offensive creativity that is very difficult to teach. Like a lot of big players his age, he’s going to need to spend some time rounding out his game, but he has the physical tools to compete in the OHL and the league could be a good option for his long-term development. 

Mason Law - At 6’ 185 lbs. with smooth skills and offensive instincts, it's easy to see how the NJ Rockets’ forward ended up on our list. He’s big and physical and knows how to use his size to generate offense. He doesn’t have a ton to work with on his team, but he still finds a way to consistently create chances for himself. He’s going to need to work to round out his game and become a better 200ft player, but the OHL will certainly give him a chance to develop some of the finer parts of his play. 

Michael Leuthold - The Jr. Flyers defenceman is still a bit raw, but he has a lot of long-term upside that makes him intriguing for the OHL. He’s long and rangy and plays with a confident edge to his game that fits the major junior style. He doesn’t try to overplay situations and he’s steady and consistent making plays on both sides of the puck. He’s going to need to keep adding dynamics to his game, but once that happens, the OHL could help prepare him for long-term success. 

Karter Lundmark - The BK forward is another under-the-radar recruit that could be a great fit for the OHL. While he isn’t always the flashiest player on the ice, he’s consistently the most complete, which is something that will translate well to major jr games. At 6’ he’s already got a good frame and strong pedigree with a father who played in the CHL before embarking on his NHL career. Lundmark is a player who could find a long-term role at a pretty high level, and the OHL could certainly help prepare him for a good career. 

Rocco Olek - The Washington Capitals forward might not be a household name, but at 6’2 with smooth puck skills he makes a very compelling case for the OHL. While his overall play is still a bit raw, Olek has intriguing physical pieces that can’t be ignored. You can’t coach size and even more so, size with natural puck-skills and offensive instincts. He’s got a ways to go, but if things come together for him, the OHL could be a great fit. 

Rocco Pelosi - Mount St. Charles’ leading scorer is one of our highest rated players which makes him a logical choice for the OHL. While he doesn’t have pro-height, Pelosi is physically strong enough to compete in junior hockey right now and his offensive upside will only get better playing in the league. So far he has been able to produce at every level he’s played at, and if he can do the same thing in the CHL, it’s only going to help elevate his future NHL draft ranking. 

Braiden Scuderi - At 5’8 the MSC forward might not seem like a logical player for the OHL, but he’s arguably one of the most skilled and dynamic players in the region. He’s already shown that not only can he play with other elite talent, but that his presence on their line makes them better and more productive. He’s not afraid to mix things up physically against stronger players and his motor is off the charts. Whether he becomes a legitimate pro prospect remains to be seen, but playing in a heavy, controlled league is only going to help round out his play. 

Patrick Ula - The NJ Avalanche forward already has an older brother playing in the OHL, so he’s familiar with the league and what it has to offer. While he doesn’t yet have the size or strength of a prototypical OHL forward, he’s got the dynamic skills and hockey sense. If he fills out physically, the style of play in the league could really advance his development, and if needed, he’ll still have the extra years of college hockey to mature physically.