The NCAA has discussed implementing a few changes to its eligibility criteria and announced the new rule on Friday, which could have a huge impact on college hockey.

As reported by Ken Campbell of The Hockey News, a new "five-for-five" rule has been proposed, which offers athletes eligibility to play at the college level for five years. However, the clock for this starts after a player completes high school graduation or turns 19, whichever comes first.

In addition, the other rules for extended eligibility were eliminated except for pregnancy, active military service, or religious missions.

All this came after several college athletes filed a lawsuit over the NCAA eligibility rule. It was previously four years with no age restriction.

The NCAA has also explained how the new rules will apply to current and future student-athletes. Students who have already used up their eligibility by spring 2026 will not receive any extra years to compete.

Students graduating from high school in spring 2026 or later will follow the new age-based eligibility system. Those who graduated before spring 2026 but have not yet enrolled in college will have their cases reviewed individually. Student-athletes can request an eligibility waiver until July 31.

However, if the new model were imposed, some players' careers could be affected. Like Mizzou offensive tackle Keagen Trost. He was transferred for his final season of college football at Columbia after six years from graduation from high school. With the implementation of the new rule, he will not be eligible to play at the college level.

Meanwhile, Paul Mbiya, a Kansas center, started his college basketball career in 2025 when he was 20 years old. But if rules change, he could be a sophomore.

NCAA President Charlie Baker opens up about rule change

NCAA President Charlie Baker opened up about the "age-based eligibility model" in an interview with ESPN last month.

"I'm pretty optimistic it's going to happen," Baker said. "Mostly because the primary conversation hasn't been about the idea of an age-based eligibility model being controversial. A lot of people are familiar with it because they've dealt with it in other settings, and they understand the simplicity of it."

He called it a "significant shift."

"It's one that I think, because of the simplicity and ease of understanding, in particular, has a lot of support in the membership," he said.

While Baker is optimistic about the changes, what do you think? How will the new rule change the overall landscape of college hockey? Let us know in the comments section.

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Written by

Ankita Yadav

Edited by

Suyashdeep Sason