Historically, men’s ice hockey players have been considered ineligible to compete in NCAA Division 1 hockey if they ever played professionally, regardless of whether they received any compensation. “Major Junior” hockey is considered professional by the NCAA, which includes the three leagues within the Canadian Hockey League (CHL): the Western Hockey League, the Ontario Hockey League, and the Quebec Maritimes Major Junior Hockey League.
Effective Aug. 1, 2025, the NCAA bylaws were changed to allow certain junior and professional ice hockey players to remain NCAA eligible, provided they are not paid more than actual and necessary expenses. This translates to players not being allowed to receive a salary, but can receive only “stipends covering meals, lodging, apparel and equipment, coaching and instruction, health and medical insurance, transportation, medical treatment and physical therapy, facility usage, entry fees and other reasonable expenses.”
Fellow 2024 Kraken draft class member, fifth-rounder Clarke Caswell, made a similar choice last spring. He decided while working out with American Hockey League affiliate Coachella Valley, following his major junior season with WHL Swift Current (SK). He signed to play for another NCAA Division I perennial national title contender, the University of Denver. The recruitment was all conducted via video and phone calls since Caswell didn’t want to miss any time with the Kraken’s AHL affiliate, a yearly springtime rite of passage for young recruits who rave about for the on-ice learnings and becoming familiar with the team’s training center, coaching staff, and the Southern California desert.
“When Denver showed their interest, it helped me make the decision,” said Caswell. “It is such a top school with all of their national championships and the facilities they have there. It’s a really good spot to develop as a player and a person, plus be around a great staff and great people all the time.”
Sizing Up NCAA Decisions
“Every player’s development path is a little bit different,” said Cory Murphy, Kraken director of player development. “It is more of a case-by-case. For some players, playing in the NCAA is appealing for the chance to play against older, stronger players offering which offers more pro-like competition. Both Ollie and Clarke are doing really well with the challenges so far. They are happy with their decision to make the move.”
One of the known benefits of playing for an NCAA squad compared to juniors is the ability to train more purposefully during the week, including additional strength work in the gym and more practices to master skills and systems of play. For his part, Josephson noted he feels fresher for games, too.
“That’s definitely an advantage already based on just a few weeks,” said Josephson, who totaled 14 goals and 21 assists for 35 points in 48 games while being named captain last season at age 18. “I have felt a little bit more juice going into games with them being on Friday and Saturday. Then you have the week to prepare your body, do some workouts. One of the biggest things is I want to improve on my overall strength, so this is a good situation.”
Caswell is enjoying similar benefits with NCAA Denver: “We’re definitely in the gym a lot more. Playing fewer games is different. I enjoyed playing a lot of games, but I think being in the gym more frequently this season, working on my body, will be huge, especially to hopefully help me with one day playing pro.”