The NCAA has voted to make Canadian Hockey League players eligible to play college hockey, according to a statement.

As of the release of this article, there is just one known NCAA commitment of the Western Hockey League and it is strictly verbal: Forward Braxton Whitehead of the Regina Pats. Whitehead made history on September 13 by verbally committing to Arizona State University, and becoming the first WHL player to do so.

The decision lifts the NCAA’s longstanding ban on CHL players who were previously deemed to be professionals because they received a stipend of up to $600 per month for living expenses.

The NCAA Division 1 Council approved a rule Thursday allowing players with Canadian Hockey League experience to compete at U.S. colleges starting next season, a landmark decision that has the potential of shaking up the NHL's two largest sources of developmental talent.

The CHL, OHL and WHL expressed optimism about the NCAA's change to major junior hockey player eligibility, while the USHL discussed its path for NCAA hopefuls.