Transfer Portal 2026

[robertearle]

I see the same thing on the NCAA site however, my daughters coach told the team the portal opens the 23rd and she just confirmed that her school compliance officer stated 23rd for the women.

http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/eligibility_center/Transfer/DIUG_Windows.pdf

Adding, it appears that in Jan of 2026, the NCAA changed the dates for a number of sports, including men's hockey, but not women's hockey. One article says there was a "recommendation' that women's hockey consider making a similar change to shorten the window, but that has not been implemented.

 

[OE2022]

I spoke directly to NCAA.
The correct dates are March 23rd - April 6. https://ncaaorg.s3.amazonaws.com/compliance/d1/D1Comp_UndergraduateTransferWindows.pdf

 

[OE2022]

I spoke with Mason and he confirmed the dates and guided me to the location on their website. He stated that this is the place for the most up to date information

 

[BuckyB]

Correct unless a coaching change or grad year situation which should mostly be done with now.

 

[robertearle]

Nothing like changing things right in the middle of the year ...

smh ...

 

[Scott_TG]

I spoke directly to NCAA.
The correct dates are March 23rd - April 6. https://ncaaorg.s3.amazonaws.com/compliance/d1/D1Comp_UndergraduateTransferWindows.pdf

Thank you for getting clarification. I wasn't trying to misinform anyone...

 

[OE2022]

Thank you for getting clarification. I wasn't trying to misinform anyone...

no problem. I actually pointed out to the chap at NCAA how most of the hockey websites had it wrong and google even confirmed the original 3/15 start date for the year. Honestly thought my kids coach was BS'ing her

 

[OE2022]

Out of curiosity, does anyone else agree that the portal is completely tilted towards the coaches and the few very top players? Meaning, every player has to request permission to be in the portal and they are likely then cut off from facilities and scholarship $ etc. with no guarantee that they will get picked up at another school. With the exception of the very top players who will certainly get picked up by another top team, most are put in a very difficult and situation with a lot of uncertainty...they may never play D1 again. Meanwhile, coaches dip into the portal hoping to upgrade every kid on their roster. Seems to me that the back room dealing should be encouraged, not discouraged. If a mid level, or even bench warmer is considering moving teams, they should be able to test the waters without disrupting their current situation. Maybe they get an eye opener and find out exactly where they fit in the world and decide to stay and work hard where they are at, or maybe they find that they have great value to a number of other teams and can better themselves, either by getting a better educational situation (yes some great hockey schools are not great places to get a degree or more playing time, better team, etc. that wasnt available when they first committed to their team. Its not a simple solution kind of problem but I dont think the portal and transfer rules work as is.

 

[Arreis]

Out of curiosity, does anyone else agree that the portal is completely tilted towards the coaches and the few very top players? Meaning, every player has to request permission to be in the portal and they are likely then cut off from facilities and scholarship $ etc. with no guarantee that they will get picked up at another school. With the exception of the very top players who will certainly get picked up by another top team, most are put in a very difficult and situation with a lot of uncertainty...they may never play D1 again. Meanwhile, coaches dip into the portal hoping to upgrade every kid on their roster. Seems to me that the back room dealing should be encouraged, not discouraged. If a mid level, or even bench warmer is considering moving teams, they should be able to test the waters without disrupting their current situation. Maybe they get an eye opener and find out exactly where they fit in the world and decide to stay and work hard where they are at, or maybe they find that they have great value to a number of other teams and can better themselves, either by getting a better educational situation (yes some great hockey schools are not great places to get a degree or more playing time, better team, etc. that wasnt available when they first committed to their team. Its not a simple solution kind of problem but I dont think the portal and transfer rules work as is.

That's exactly why the tampering occurs. You can pretty much guarantee tampering occurred if a player signs with a new school after only being in the portal for a few days. It was prearranged prior to filling out the paperwork.

 

[BuckyB]

That's exactly why the tampering occurs. You can pretty much guarantee tampering occurred if a player signs with a new school after only being in the portal for a few days. It was prearranged prior to filling out the paperwork.

Wow… another intelligent post !!
You people are catching on slowly but surely !!
Way to go !!

 

[Lindsay]

For the lower tier players, even though there is now a portal perhaps the experience is still like it was in the old days. Tell your coach you’re not returning, get cut off, and then go advocate for yourself. I guess one benefit is not having to sit out a year.

The portal probably does just make things more efficient for coaches and top tier like you say.

 

[OE2022]

That's exactly why the tampering occurs. You can pretty much guarantee tampering occurred if a player signs with a new school after only being in the portal for a few days. It was prearranged prior to filling out the paperwork.

personally, i think reaching out directly to other coaches should be encouraged, or, the players should be allowed to have agents to work on their behalf to get the best deal possible. Works that way, it appears, for the other sports and particularly the boys side of things. Normalize it and quit calling it tampering.

 

[robertearle]

Four names now listed at the Gopher Puck Live portal tracking site. Three since the first of Feb; and the most recent from Wednesday, Holy Cross first-string goalie Abby Hornung.

NCAA DI & DIII Hockey Transfer Portal

Search and sort through the NCAA Hockey Transfer Portal for both Men & Women.

gopherpucklive.com

 

[robertearle]

personally, i think reaching out directly to other coaches should be encouraged, or, the players should be allowed to have agents to work on their behalf to get the best deal possible. Works that way, it appears, for the other sports and particularly the boys side of things. Normalize it and quit calling it tampering.

I am not aware of any difference in portal rules from one sport to another, or between men and women athletes.

 

[Timothy A]

personally, i think reaching out directly to other coaches should be encouraged, or, the players should be allowed to have agents to work on their behalf to get the best deal possible. Works that way, it appears, for the other sports and particularly the boys side of things. Normalize it and quit calling it tampering.

No, enforce the rules and follow the process as laid out.

 

[ARM]

No, enforce the rules and follow the process as laid out.

Who set up the rules and process? The institutions. The way it works is kind of like if a student had to drop out of one university before they could investigate transfering to another one. I know that I wouldn't like it if I couldn't go shop for a new house until I had listed my current house.