The NHL and NHLPA have released details about the new CBA that will come into effect for the 2026-27 season. The new agreement features numerous changes, including a playoff salary cap, the elimination of team-enforced dress codes and contract length limits. The 167-page document also includes a new rule regarding AHL eligibility, which will affect WHL players moving forward.
The 21st item in the new CBA has to do with what age players can join the AHL. The exact wording is, "NHL will reopen its agreement with the CHL to seek to eliminate the mandatory return rule for 19-year-old Players. NHL will seek to limit NHL Clubs to Loaning no more than one (1) 19-year-old Player per year to the AHL without the requirement of first offering such Player to his junior Club." In short, this means that a select number of players can make the jump to the AHL a year early if their drafted NHL team feels they are ready to turn pro.
Just like the new NCAA rule, this will impact the WHL. While only 32 players will be eligible for this rule, some will likely be from the WHL. Ultimately, this could impact how teams prepare for the season, as WHL franchises may lose their best players a year early.
The first players that this rule will impact are those born in 2007. Some notable names who could make the jump to the AHL early include Ben Kindel, Braeden Cootes and Radim Mrtka. These three players were all drafted in the top 15 of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft and could be deemed ready at 19 to join the AHL.
Ultimately, these new eligibility rules will impact not only WHL teams but also organizations across the CHL. While it is a positive that players have new options available, management groups from all 61 teams will need to adjust how they plan for the future. In the end, it will be interesting to see which players are selected to make the jump to the AHL early, as the list is sure to include those from the WHL.
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