Seattle Kraken top pick Chase Reid is one of at least seven 2026 1st rounders transferring this fall from their junior teams to the college ranks. A bonanza of talent for the NCAA, a worrying drain for major junior hockey.
Defenseman Reid, who spent the last two seasons with the OHL Soo Greyhounds, will play in 2026-27 for the University of Michigan.
The college-bound like Reid, who’s 18, are taking advantage of a Nov., 2024 change to NCAA eligibility. The U.S. college sports governing body now allows players from the three major junior leagues (OHL, WHL and QMJHL) to retain their amateur status.
WHL Executive Calls NCAA ‘Shiny New Toy’
Is U.S. colleges siphoning players a frustration to the teams and fans of the three junior circuits which comprise the Canadian Hockey League?
“Yeah, you better believe it,” says Western Hockey League commissioner Dan Near (pictured at right).
He’s especially irked by media spending more time reporting where draft picks are going than where they’ve been. “It’s frustrating not to get the credit for the work that we’ve done. A player who’s not yet stepped on the ice in an NCAA environment is being more associated with the NCAA than the WHL.”
Close to home, the WHL champs and Memorial Cup finalist Everett Silvertips are losing several stars with junior eligibility remaining. Captain Tarin Smith is headed to the U. of Minnesota, goalie Anders Miller will play for Lake Superior St. (Mich.), and Landon DuPont will join Reid playing defense for the Michigan Wolverines.
Commissioner Near calls the NCAA “a shiny new toy” enticing top recruits. “We all know the marketing reach that they have. The NCAA changed their regulations to take players as they wish. It defies how the organized hockey system has historically worked.”
Future Kraken Prospects May Shorten Stay In Junior Ranks
“We have roughly 15 players leave before the end of their 19-year-old season last year,” Near says, “what we would consider ‘early.’ It’s going to be a three, four, five year process to see what that looks like.”
Near’s prediction is that the best junior players will continue to be plucked by college programs. “You’re going to see more players joining our league who aren’t necessarily four or five year players. More star players who are 17 and 18 years old, than historically it’s been 19 and sometimes 20 years old.”
The three CHL leagues are hoping the number of defections will slow in future years. “Just because players are making the move right now, how much of it is a trend, and how much is where you’ll be better suited for development. We think the vast majority of players are going to develop best playing through their 19-year-old season in our league.”
Kraken Scouting Director Praised College Hockey
As we previously reported, most 2026 Kraken draft picks are taking the college route. Director of amateur scouting Robert Kron says the less punishing NCAA schedule is a feature. “They can focus on the off-ice, getting stronger, getting bigger. They can spend some time in the gym and get the physical aspect of their bodies up to where it needs to be for the next level.
“It’s a fast-paced game, faster than the junior leagues would be. They’re going to be tested. It’s a physical game. Things happen quickly. It speeds up their route to to the NHL ultimately.”
WHL Schedule ‘Enhanced’ To Counter College Advantages
The Silvertips, Seattle Thunderbirds, and all WHL teams will find changes to the league schedule and how they travel for 2026-27.
The adjustments are geared to counter the advantages Kron mentioned, and to make staying in junior a more attractive option.
The regular season will end Mar. 28, 2027, one week later than historically scheduled.
Speaking directly to Kron’s point, the league said in a statement, “The decompressed schedule will create additional rest and recovery for players, opportunity for additional strength and conditioning, and support the athletes’ educational priorities.”
To accommodate the extra week in the regular season, first round WHL playoff series will be best-of-five, instead of the previous best-of-seven.
Also, WHL teams will be permitted to travel via air to and from one set of road games. The selected trip must be one that would take more than 10 hours by bus, and must be against out-of-conference opponents.
“The enhancements are designed to take the best of what we have, and be the best of both worlds,” says Near. “We believe that after you’re drafted, coming back to our league provides a pretty darn good path, too.”
Earlier Kraken:
— Glenn’s Gems; Brighter Kraken Nights Will Be Lit By Emerging Stars
— Why We Don’t Fudge Our Kraken Predictions
— No No Kraken, It Ain’t Happening This Season
Earlier Canucks:
— Canucks PR Poisons The Writers Association
BONUS: And what about the rule change that would allow the Kraken to send a 19-year-old to the American Hockey League, rather than back to juniors. In this one-minute video, NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly tells us the latest …
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