A proposal that could reshape college hockey
The NCAA recently introduced a rule nicknamed "5 in 5" that would cap an athlete's college eligibility at five years beginning at high school graduation or upon turning 19. The measure, originally framed for high‑revenue sports such as football and basketball, has sparked particular concern in the hockey world.
Justen Close, a former Minnesota Gophers goalie, illustrates the stakes: under the new framework he would have exhausted his eligibility before ever stepping onto a college rink. Scott Sandelin, the long‑time coach of Minnesota Duluth, has called the opposition to "5 in 5" the strongest consensus he has witnessed in three decades of coaching.
Don Lucia, who once led the Gophers and now heads the Central Collegiate Hockey Association, argues that the rule fails to account for the unique development path of male hockey players, many of whom spend a year or more in junior leagues before college.
A coalition that includes USA Hockey and the National Hockey League has formally requested a hockey‑specific exemption, contending that the rule would disrupt traditional pipelines and force high‑school seniors to abandon their final season to preserve eligibility.
The NCAA's Division I Cabinet currently includes only a single member from a school that sponsors varsity hockey, limiting the sport's voice in the decision‑making process. Critics point out that the proposal is part of a broader trend of extended eligibility that became more common after the COVID‑19 pandemic, exemplified by Trinidad Chambliss, a sixth‑year quarterback at Ole Miss.
Greg May, the new Gophers women's hockey coach, sees a silver lining: the rule could simplify eligibility for women's hockey, where junior leagues are less entrenched and the National Team Development Program plays a smaller role.
In Minnesota, high‑school coaches are already hearing from parents worried that their sons might leave early for junior hockey to protect future college eligibility. Jon Ammerman, a Moorhead high‑school coach, notes that the traditional pathway has already been shaken by the pandemic's ripple effects.
Will Borgen, a former Moorhead star who later signed with the NHL, serves as a reminder that the state has produced successful talent through that conventional route, a model many fear could be eroded.
Mike Hastings, coach at the University of Wisconsin, likens adapting to the new rule to "eating vegetables one doesn't like," emphasizing the need for the hockey community to remain nimble and find ways to thrive under the new constraints.