The NCAA is now allowing former Canadian Hockey League players to join U.S. college teams in 2025-26 after a rule change granted former major junior players NCAA eligibility. This new rule opened the door for rising CHL prospects to pursue a U.S. college education while developing their skills against Division I talent.
The result is a major influx of talent from Canada’s junior leagues to DI men’s hockey programs across the country. Here is a breakdown of some of the top CHL transfers and where they landed in the NCAA.
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1. LW Gavin McKenna — Penn State
What is there to say about McKenna that hasn’t been said before? At 17 years old, he is the consensus No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NHL draft before even setting foot on NCAA ice. His excellent skating, outstanding passing and unmatched creativity make him one of the best prospects the NHL has seen in years.
GAVIN MCKENNA JUST SCORED ONE OF THE MOST INSANE GOALS YOU’LL EVER SEE 🤯
(via @TheWHL) pic.twitter.com/VvI6pQ2PsM
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) April 14, 2025
McKenna comes to Penn State from the Western Hockey League’s Medicine Hat Tigers, where he dominated last year with 129 points (41G, 88A) in 56 games. McKenna is an instant contender for the Hobey Baker Award, and he’s a big part of why the Nittany Lions were ranked No. 5 in the preseason USCHO rankings.
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2. D Keaton Verhoeff — North Dakota
Verhoeff is the top defenseman in the 2026 NHL draft class and is projected to be a top-three pick in most draft projections, with some even saying he could even challenge McKenna for No. 1 overall. The 6-foot-4 defenseman from Fort Saskatchewan, Canada is a lockdown right-handed defender with an NHL-caliber shot, elite hockey sense and impressive mobility for his size.
Keaton Verhoeff has his 16th goal of the year! pic.twitter.com/dBWyNb7FVr
— Victoria Royals (@victoriaroyals) February 23, 2025
Verhoeff joins UND from the WHL’s Victoria Royals, where he became just the third 16-year-old defenseman in WHL history to score more than 16 goals in a year (21). Verhoeff adds to an already loaded Fighting Hawks blue line, and he’ll be a serious contender to be the top defenseman in the NCAA this season.
3. C Roger McQueen — Providence College
Roger McQueen joins Providence as the highest draft pick in program history after the Anaheim Ducks picked him 10th overall in the 2025 NHL draft. The 6-foot-5 center doesn’t fit the usual mold for forwards his size who rely on their size and physicality. Instead, McQueen excels with quick puck movement and stickhandling, and he is a solid skater with a nose for the net and elite scoring touch.
If you missed Roger McQueen’s goal last night, boy are you going to want to see this! I think we have our goal of the year! #2025nhldraft pic.twitter.com/ZAaqSpMKNn
— Brandon Wheat Kings (@bdnwheatkings) March 23, 2025
McQueen comes to Providence College from the WHL’s Brandon Wheat Kings, where he tallied 86 points (35G, 51A) in 127 career games. His electric puck control and finishing ability make him a must-watch prospect, and he should improve his strength and physicality while transitioning into the college game.
4. C Cayden Lindstrom — Michigan State
Cayden Lindstrom is one of two top CHL transfers coming to East Lansing alongside Porter Martone. Lindstrom was taken fourth overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2024 NHL Draft. He’s a tall power forward with a large frame, and he relies on his speed and size to either burn defenders on the rush or bull right through them.
Bounce pass and the breakaway tally.
That’s classic Cayden Lindstrom right there. @tigershockey pic.twitter.com/4sx5sg8bg2
— Western Hockey League (@TheWHL) January 14, 2023
Lindstrom missed the 2024-25 season for the Medicine Hat Tigers with a back injury, but he spent lots of time around the Blue Jackets as he rehabbed in Columbus. Now fully recovered, he’s primed for a major comeback with Big Ten powerhouse Michigan State. His wicked shot and gritty play style should translate well to the college level as he continues to develop his strength and skill amongst Big Ten competition.
5. RW Porter Martone — Michigan State
Porter Martone joins Lindstrom at Michigan State as another exciting top prospect that the Spartans hope can replace Hobey Baker Award winner Isaac Howard, who signed with the NHL’s Edmonton Oilers this summer. The 6-foot-3 RW from Peterborough, Ontario comes to Michigan State from the OHL’s Brampton Steelheads, where he put up 98 points (37G, 61A) in 57 games last season.
Martone 🤝MacDonell 🤝Making great plays pic.twitter.com/jYttssxy1Y
— Brampton Steelheads (@OHLSteelheads) February 2, 2025
Martone, a 2025 Philadelphia Flyers draft pick, is another big forward prospect, similar to McQueen. His tall frame gives him an advantage along the boards, and his brilliant passing and decision-making are typically the first things that stand out about his game, but he is also a skilled puck handler and has some sneaky good hands and scoring ability when he’s not dishing it to a teammate. With the Flyers possibly switching him to his off-side wing in the future, we could even see Martone slot in on the vacant top-line LW in Isaac Howard’s former spot.
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6. D Jackson Smith — Penn State
Another top pick by the Columbus Blue Jackets, Jackson Smith was taken 14th overall in the 2025 NHL draft. Smith joins Gavin McKenna and the Nittany Lions as an elite two-way defenseman with excellent skating, puck handling skills and creativity. Smith’s breakout passing is a major strength of his game, but he’s not afraid to jump in and join the rush when the opportunity presents itself.
All three of Jackson Smith’s goals this season have been game winners! #2025NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/QXjmBz8t0u
— Tri-City Americans (@TCAmericans) March 1, 2025
Smith is also solid in his own end, using his 6-foot-3 frame and puck handling skills to win defensive zone battles and excel in puck possession and the transitional game. He comes over from the WHL’s Tri-City Americans, where he put up 54 points (11G, 43A) in 68 games last season. He’ll be fun to watch this year as he takes on the speedy and strong talent of the Big Ten.
