TMR Mailbag: Could the NCAA enforce a CHL roster cap?

This week’s mailbag topics include:

• Could the NCAA enforce a CHL cap?

• Why did AIC-Holy Cross get postponed for missing goalies, and Merrimack had to play the opener against Stonehill?

• How to improve strength and conditioning?

• How does this year in Hockey East compare to other years?

• Budd Clark’s future?

• Is Ayden Pereira the starting QB next season?

• Will the Warriors go into the portal to get a RB?

• Why is BC’s break so much longer than Merrimack’s?

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Now, onto this week's mailbag ...

Q. With the new CHL rule being passed allowing players to join NCAA teams this has the potential to get out of control, some European soccer leagues have caps of how many foreign players can join a team for a season, if they could enforce the rule, do you think the NCAA should put a cap on former CHL players to protect the idea of the “student athlete”?

A. The issue will be enforcing a rule that would restrict the player. That’s what the NCAA has repeatedly sued about (and lost). In theory, I don’t think it’s a bad idea. The CHL has a cap on foreign players (they call them import players). However, I think the NCAA would have a hard time legislating it, and they would likely face a legal challenge if they tried to enforce it. The NCAA (across multiple sports) is trying to remove as many restrictions as it can from players due to lawsuits. That’s why the transfer portal, unlimited transfer rule, and the CHL rule change have all come into existence.