We are seeing a steady flow of college commitments by current WHL players wishing to continue their hockey careers in the NCAA. Likewise, with respect to players just entering junior hockey, it certainly appears the shift in the NCAA/CHL interplay will result in an uptick in American players joining the WHL.
Currently, WHL rosters only consist of 5% of American players. That number has been kept low by players unwilling to forfeit their college eligibility at such a young age. As such, in the past they instead have joined the United States Hockey League or the British Columbia Hockey League. With that forfeiture removed, based upon the number of college commitments made by WHL players thus far that number will increase dramatically. That is especially true given the lack of USHL representation in the west, coupled with the fact that the WHL now provides a college-friendly alternative to quality junior hockey the BCHL offers.