Overview
- The Division I Cabinet recently discussed the age-based '5-in-5' plan and could hold a formal vote in June, with NCAA guidance already issued on transition rules.
- Under the proposal athletes would have five years to use their eligibility starting the academic year after high school graduation or on their 19th birthday, and most extended-eligibility waivers would be eliminated except for pregnancy, religious missions, or active-duty military service.
- The NCAA said athletes whose fourth college year ended by spring 2026 would not receive extra eligibility and that currently enrolled players with remaining eligibility after 2025–26 could choose the new model or keep existing rules if it helps them more.
- College hockey organizations including six conference commissioners, the CHL, USHL, USA Hockey, College Hockey Inc., coaches and the NHL have issued letters and a whitepaper and are lobbying Cabinet members with a counterproposal to start the clock at age 19 or at college enrollment.
- Stakeholders warn the change would cut years from players who spend post‑high‑school seasons in junior leagues, create roster strain and affect pro draft pools, and the rule is expected to face legal challenges if adopted.