In the ongoing battle for burgeoning hockey talent between the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) and the U.S. collegiate system (NCAA), a significant decision has surfaced. St. Louis Blues first-round draft pick, Justin Carbonneau, has opted for a potential return to the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) over pursuing a path with Boston College if he does not secure a spot on the NHL roster immediately.
This choice is particularly noteworthy in the current landscape. For several months, and increasingly in recent weeks, the CHL has seen a notable number of its promising players commit to NCAA programs, a trend significantly impacted by a recent rule change by the U.S. college sports governing body last November, which now permits CHL players eligibility.
Carbonneau, selected 19th overall in the most recent NHL Entry Draft, was evaluating his development options. As he commented post-draft, both Boston College, offering play alongside older athletes, and a return to Blainville presented viable avenues. The final decision, influenced by discussions with the St. Louis Blues organization, leans towards the QMJHL should the NHL dream require another year of seasoning.
His performance last season certainly justifies his high draft status. Skating for the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, Carbonneau finished second in QMJHL scoring, tallying an impressive 89 points, derived from 46 goals and 43 assists, over 62 games.
The recent wave of CHL-to-NCAA commitments includes high-profile prospects, such as Gavin McKenna, a projected top pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, who committed to Penn State earlier this week. The count of CHL players from the past season committing to NCAA programs for the upcoming year exceeds 150, though it`s important to note many of these are players who have aged out of major junior eligibility or would have been overage players.
With Carbonneau`s situation now clarified, attention shifts to other top CHL picks from this year`s draft who have yet to declare their path, including the first two overall selections, Matthew Schaefer (New York Islanders, Erie Otters) and Michael Misa (San Jose Sharks, Saginaw Spirit), along with Caleb Desnoyers (Utah Mammoth, Moncton Wildcats) and Porter Martone (Philadelphia Flyers, Brampton Steelheads). Their decisions will further shape the narrative of player development routes.
A key distinction remains: players who sign an NHL entry-level contract forfeit their NCAA eligibility. This regulatory boundary continues to influence prospect pathways, sometimes necessitating a choice between professional status and the collegiate route.
Ultimately, Carbonneau`s decision represents a win, however small, for the CHL in retaining a top-tier prospect amidst significant NCAA inroads. His focus remains on earning a spot with the Blues, but the planned fallback ensures his development continues, either in the professional ranks or back in the major junior environment where he excelled.
