CHL to NCAA Recruiting Megathread

[cinnamoroll]

08 D Rhett Sather commits to Omaha for 27-28, plays for Spokane Chiefs. Omaha freshman goalie Dawson Cowan was a teammate of his last year.

OA F Caden Brown commits to Lindenwood, plays for Regina Pats.

Happy new years everyone! May 2026 bring health and happiness to you and yours

 

[cinnamoroll]

06 D Noah Laberge commits to Northeastern, plays for Newfoundland, Buffalo draft pick in 5th round last summer. 31 points in 33 games, 4th in defensemen scoring in the QMJHL behind Michigan State commit Tommy Bleyl, Harvard commit Alex Huang, and projected 1st round pick Xavier Villeneuve.

As pointed out by Robert Chalmers, this brings the number of Northeastern commits to have played a game in the QMJHL this season to 12. Some are affiliate players who have had a few games while in prep school, but there's a few key members of their teams- Owen Keefe has an A in his first season w Drummondville, Liam Kilfoil is a big trade target forward, Nathan Quinn is the Remparts captain, Samuel Meloche is Rouyn-Noranda's starter... Unsurprising since their recruiting areas overlap, but it's particularly significant for Northeastern so far.

 

[DLG]

At the beginning of the season it was mentioned that college players could return to their junior teams before January
while I have noticed a few mostly not playing much have but is it less than expected

 

[cinnamoroll]

OA F Thomas Verdon commits to BGSU, plays for Rouyn-Noranda. 49 points in 33 games, Cleveland, OH native. Massive get, in his first 3 full seasons he's been around 50 points a season. Consistently productive guy who is putting up big numbers

At the beginning of the season it was mentioned that college players could return to their junior teams before January
while I have noticed a few mostly not playing much have but is it less than expected

so far its:

Rylan Gould Michigan Tech back to WHL (traded to Everett)- only a few months in
Justin Cloutier ASU back to OHL Soo (presumed, but he hasn't joined the team yet)
Austin Zemlak ASU back to the WHL (traded to Edmonton)

Then the two guys who played in USHL before college that are joining the CHL:
Charlie Michaud Miami signed with Penticton (free agent)
Gavin Cornforth BC signing with Moncton (draft rights)

They're 06 so they don't take up an overage spot. Seems if overage players return to the league, there's usually a market for them as known entities.

I haven't heard anything on anyone else

 

[4four4]

At the beginning of the season it was mentioned that college players could return to their junior teams before January
while I have noticed a few mostly not playing much have but is it less than expected

Is it though? We were hearing this from the Canadian side, after adapting to the college game and school many of them are probably having fun enjoying school.

 

[cinnamoroll]

06 F Teddy Spitznagel has reportedly left Michigan. He hasn't played at all this year. Could return to Muskegon, but OHL teams are also an option.

07 F Joby Baumuller commits to Colorado College, plays for the Brandon Wheat Kings. 44 points in 37 games, big standout is his shot.

 

[cinnamoroll]

Bunch of CHL deadline deals.

QMJHL:
Rights to 09 F Caiden Pellegino (Providence) rights traded to Rimouski from Cape Breton, playing prep at St Marks.
08 F Samuel Boyer (UVM) traded to Shawinigan from Cape Breton.
Rights to 08 F Anthony Dontigny (Cornell) traded to Rimouski and he will join the team from BCHL West Kelowna once Hockey Canada processes the transaction.
Official trade call pending, 07 G Arseni Radkov (UMass) will be going to Saint John from BLB. This is in advance of BLB obtaining rockstar draft-eligible goalie William Lacelle from Rimouski, who isn't committed yet but probably will end up in college. Other implications: frees up an import spot for BLB, Saint John needs to trade one of theirs, likely the injury news on Milota concerns BLB. Radkov was good at times but inconsistent in net.
Chicoutimi is expected to trade for 07 F Liam Lefebvre (UVM) from Rimouski

WHL:
Red Deer had a very complicated 4-way deal, I'll focus on where commits ended up.

08 F Cameron Kuzma (LSSU) traded to Red Deer by Seattle
08 F Kalder Varga (DU) traded to Red Deer by Kelowna
06 D Keith McInnis (UMD) traded to Kelowna by Red Deer

OHL:
Rights to 08 D Jude Bray (Penn State) traded to Flint by Brantford, playing for BCHL Sherwood Park.

There are rumors of other significant OHL trades but the trade calls haven't come down. The ones not yet announced in the Q have a lot more confirmation than these