January 2, 2026, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States: Canada forward ZAYNE PAREKH 19 skates with the puck. Canada and Slovakia faced off in the quarterfinal round of the IIHF World Junior Championship on January 2nd. Canada was victorious 7-1. Minneapolis United States - ZUMAt166 20260102_zsp_t166_078 Copyright: xMichaelxTurnerx
January 2, 2026, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States: Canada forward ZAYNE PAREKH 19 skates with the puck. Canada and Slovakia faced off in the quarterfinal round of the IIHF World Junior Championship on January 2nd. Canada was victorious 7-1. Minneapolis United States - ZUMAt166 20260102_zsp_t166_078 Copyright: xMichaelxTurnerx
The 19-year-old hockey stars might get some good news, as the NHL, CHL, and AHL are coming to a potential agreement that helps youngsters in their careers.
The new agreement between the three parties could allow a change to the existing rule that limits 19-year-old prospects to the AHL.
Currently, under the agreement between the National Hockey League (NHL) and the Canadian Hockey League (CHL), a player who has been drafted from the CHL and is under 20 is not allowed to play in the American Hockey League (AHL).
Either that player has to play in the NHL or play for their junior team in the CHL. It’s been a while since this rule came into existence.
Now, if the NHL, AHL, and CHL come to an agreement, and the new proposed rule applies, it will allow the 19-year-old players to feature in the AHL.
The new rule might be applicable from the next season. It will help the teams to decide the players’ development. Players jumping directly from the CHL to the NHL sometimes struggle to adapt.
The AHL is like a linking pin for players’ development. With the new rule, a CHL-drafted player will go to the AHL before they go to the NHL.
How the NHL Rule Change Could Transform Development for 19-Year-Old Prospects?
Zayne Parekh was a prime example of why the new rule must be implemented. He is 19 years old and was drafted from the CHL to the NHL due to the current rule.
The youngster failed to adapt to the game's speed and physicality. The transition for the offensive defenseman was not smooth.
The new rule will help the player’s development. Teams can develop players in a structured way. A player does not have to rush from the junior level (CHL) to the highest level (NHL).
Now, it does not mean that every player will get selected from the CHL to the AHL. Only top prospects, first-round draft picks, and specially selected players will get the opportunity.
While the agreement is still being finalized, expectations are growing that the new system could take effect as early as the next season.
If implemented, the rule adjustment would mark one of the most notable development changes in North American hockey in recent years.
Read more at the NHL Fan Central!
Written by
Kapil Manghnani
Edited by
Shraabona Sengupta