NCAA Men’s Hockey Rule Changes Approved For Recruiting

The NCAA Division I Council approved rule changes affecting recruitment periods, the NCAA announced Friday.

The rules were tailored to significantly alter the way that coaches can recruit athletes.

The rules now will permit coaches to have general conversations, including phone conversations, email, text message, and camp/clinic conversations starting Jan. 1 of the recruit’s sophomore year. Starting on August 1 leading into the recruit’s junior year, official visits and verbal offers can be tendered.

The new rules changed a historically unfettered process that allowed coaches to recruit and offer at any time.

The rule changes should be welcomed. The recruiting ecosystem has gotten absolutely out of control, to the point where recruits were being made offers early in their high school careers. The system put both programs and recruits in a bad position, and the change seems like a good fix.

Prospects and families with questions about the new rules are encouraged to check College Hockey Inc.’s Recruiting FAQ or to contact College Hockey Inc.