The VICTORIOUS HOCKEY COMPANY’s Biweekly Newsletter:  THE GLUT

Hello Players and Families,

 

It’s the final days of August, and while many junior hockey training camps are underway, one trend has become impossible to ignore: the system is overloaded.

 

This summer marked a seismic shift in the junior and college hockey landscape. For the first time, CHL players are no longer barred from NCAA eligibility. That means more players than ever are trying their luck at the CHL level—without having to give up the dream of playing U.S. college hockey. On paper, that sounds like progress. But on the ground, at camps and tryouts across North America, it’s created a logjam.

 

CHL training camps are packed. WHL's Lethbridge Hurricanes brought 84 players to camp. OHL's Barrie Colts expected over 60. QMJHL’s Sea Dogs brought in 61. Those are massive numbers, and they’re not outliers. The trickle-down effect is already being felt: USHL clubs, many of which already bring 60 to 80 players to camp, are seeing more players than ever. NAHL and NCDC camps are overflowing as well—partly due to the push-down from CHL and Tier I cuts, and partly due to a simple math problem: too many good players, not enough open spots.

 

Consider this: If each CHL team (60 total) brought just 12–15 extra players to camp this year, that’s as many as 900 additional bodies trying out. That estimate tracks with insider reports and invites made public. With only 23 active roster spots per CHL team—and most teams returning over half their players—there are realistically just 8 to 11 spots open per club. It doesn’t take long for demand to outpace supply.

 

What’s more, NCAA Division I programs are facing their own cap: a hard 26-player roster limit that takes effect this season. That means fewer college spots, more players pushed back into juniors, and a significant uptick in NCAA Division III and ACHA commitments—something that some fans online have been quick to mock, but which actually reflects the new, harsher reality of roster math.

 

So what does all of this mean for you?

 

It means you need to be prepared for a longer decision timeline. Many teams—especially at the NAHL and NCDC levels—are holding back roster spots specifically for CHL and Tier I cuts that are still to come. It means that Division III and ACHA placements should not be viewed as “less than”—they’re legitimate destinations for strong players in a saturated market. And it means players and families must have multiple parallel plans in motion. Waiting on a single camp or offer is no longer a smart strategy.

 

We’re calling this issue “The Glut” because that’s exactly what it is: a surge of eligible, capable players all trying to squeeze through the same few doors. The opportunity is still there—but it’s tighter, more competitive, and slower to resolve than in years past. So stay patient, stay ready, and stay informed.

 

The roster picture might be muddy today—but it’s clearing soon. 

Let’s get after it,Mike

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Fifteen CHL players have been highlighted in Scott Wheeler’s pre-season rankings for the 2026 NHL Draft. Vancouver Giants defenseman Ryan Lin ranks highest at No. 4, praised for his elite hockey IQ, defensive maturity, and multi-medal international success. Other Top 10 prospects include Ryan Roobroeck, Ethan Belchetz, Adam Novotny, and Mathis Preston. Xavier Villeneuve leads QMJHL talent at No. 14. These rankings reflect the strong CHL presence and rising stars ahead of the 2026 draft.

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Aidan Park, a 2025 seventh-round NHL Draft pick by the Edmonton Oilers, is emerging as a potential underdog candidate for Team USA at the 2026 World Junior Championship. After a standout 66-point season with the USHL’s Green Bay Gamblers, Park impressed coaches with his work ethic during the World Junior Summer Showcase. Despite long-shot odds and exclusion from early roster projections, the Michigan-bound forward’s consistent compete level could earn him a surprise spot come December.

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For the 2025-26 season, NCAA men’s and women’s college hockey will allow conferences to request reviews of game misconduct penalties, expanding upon a previously limited but successful system. Additional changes include revised face mask penalties, mandatory instant replay reviews for major penalties with new outcomes, and clarified rules on high-sticking the puck based on crossbar and shoulder height. These updates aim to enhance fairness, consistency, and player safety across collegiate hockey.

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Top U18 Junior A players from the Maritime Hockey League (MHL) and Quebec Junior AAA League (QJHL) will compete in the inaugural East Coast Prospects Showcase on November 5 in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia. The event will draw scouts from the NHL, NCAA, CHL, and international federations, offering key exposure and potential selection for the World Junior A Challenge. Hosted at the Pictou County Wellness Centre, the showcase emphasizes regional talent development and inter-league collaboration.

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The 22nd annual NAHL Showcase, dubbed the “Greatest Show on Ice,” is set for September 24–27, 2025, at the NSC Super Rink in Blaine, Minnesota. Featuring all 34 NAHL teams and over 100 Tier I youth programs, the event offers unmatched exposure with over 300 NCAA, NHL, and junior scouts in attendance. Players compete in high-stakes regular-season games, aiming for NCAA commitments and scouting attention. All 52 games will stream live on NAHLTV.

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Players and families, we want to hear from you. If there are any questions, concerns, or if you just want to have a conversation, please feel free to contact us directly. We want to hear from you. Good Luck and Great Hockey!

 

Thank you,

Team VHC