The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) received positive news.
Following the departure of several top players to the NCAA in recent months, the CHL got a boost on Friday when St. Louis Blues first-round draft pick Justin Carbonneau confirmed his plan.
Carbonneau, selected 19th overall in this year`s draft, will return to the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada of the QMJHL if he doesn`t make the NHL roster. He had been considering playing for Boston College as an alternative development path.
“That’s one of the topics to talk (about) with the Blues,” he said, per The Athletic, after being drafted. “Boston College is a great option for me to develop with older guys, or in Blainville. Two good options, but some talks that I’m going to do with St. Louis and decide in the next few days.”
Last season, Carbonneau was the second-leading scorer in the QMJHL, recording an impressive 46 goals and 43 assists for a total of 89 points in 62 games.
This decision comes amidst a trend of CHL players moving to the NCAA, highlighted by news earlier in the week that Gavin McKenna, the projected No. 1 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, left the WHL`s Medicine Hat Tigers to play for Penn State (NCAA).
CHL players became eligible to play in the NCAA starting next season after the U.S. college sports governing body modified its rules last November.
Already, over 150 players from the past CHL season have committed to NCAA programs for the upcoming season, many of whom were either overage players or would have aged out of junior hockey.
The decisions of other high CHL draft picks are now being closely watched. This includes No. 1 pick Matthew Schaefer (Islanders, Erie Otters), No. 2 Michael Misa (Sharks, Saginaw Spirit), No. 4 Caleb Desnoyers (Utah, Moncton Wildcats), and No. 6 Porter Martone (Flyers, Brampton Steelheads), who have not yet announced their plans.
Note that players who sign an NHL entry-level contract are ineligible to play in the NCAA.
Duncan Priestley