The new AHL age rule and what it means for Canucks prospects

Times are changing fast in the hockey landscape.

Keep up, or you’ll quickly fall behind.

Already, we’ve seen monumental changes in the development world, which began with the NCAA announcing a significant rule change to allow former major junior players to enroll in college hockey.

That change continues to have a ripple effect within the system, and on July 11, 2025, yet another piece of the puzzle fell into place.

According to Rule 21 under the new agreed CBA, NHL teams will be granted the right to assign one 19-year-old CHL player to their AHL affiliates.

“NHL will reopen its agreement with the CHL to seek to eliminate the mandatory return rule for 19-year-old Players. NHL will seek to limit NHL Clubs to Loaning no more than one (1) 19-year-old Player per year to the AHL without the requirement of first offering such Player to his junior club.”

 

The rule and the new CBA will officially kick in for the 2026-27 season, meaning the Vancouver Canucks’ latest draftees will be the first to be considered for this option.

Armed with foresight, the Canucks moved swiftly to secure their latest drafted prospects.

First, forward Braeden Cootes signed his entry-level contract (ELC), effectively closing the door on any NCAA aspirations beyond the 2025-26 season. Just 24 hours later, second-round pick Aleksei Medvedev, who was (reportedly) heavily recruited by several colleges, followed suit, locking both players into the Canucks’ development pipeline.

In just a few days, the Canucks went from having two (internally) highly rated prospects with uncertain futures to having full control over their respective development paths.

Why is this a big deal to have them signed so soon, you ask?

It allows the team to grab each respective player’s development by the horns and enjoy a relationship with them at arm’s length. While the NCAA is a beneficial route for various reasons (ice time, training time and facilities), it limits the amount of access NHL clubs can have on their drafted players, typically limiting them to video work that is passed on to the respective school’s on-ice staff.

There’s also a lack of ability to attend various team training events, such as Training Camp.

So now, the team has full access to be as hands-on as they feel necessary with nearly every aspect of their newest recruits’ development.

The AHL rule

Overall, this new rule should be considered a positive for both players and their NHL clubs as it keeps options open for both sides, and options are important.

It should also be considered a positive for the CHL in itself, serving as a lifeline by keeping talent in-house. Players who would otherwise have bolted to the NCAA can now sit tight, knowing their path can include a jump to the American League.

That helps the CHL.

Not every player wishes to head back to school, so this option opens a new avenue to continue their respective developments and make the jump, assuming their talents are strong enough to warrant the leap.

Of course, it’s important to remember that just because a 19-year-old can play in the American Hockey League, it doesn’t mean they will.

The AHL is a high-end professional league, representing a significant step up for young players. In 2024-25, just thirteen 19-year-olds played in 10 or more games in the league, with just one eclipsing the 50-point mark. That being Bradly Nadeau, who had himself a terrific season with 32 goals and 58 points with the Chicago Wolves.

With concerns about opportunity limitations and offensive stall-outs, the decision to jump up won’t be for everyone.

But this rule will help address those exceptional cases — the “tweener cases,” if you will.

We’ve seen several names fall victim to the “too good for the CHL, not ready for the NHL” scenario. This new rule will exacerbate those concerns.

Will either Cootes or Medvedev play in Abbotsford in 2026-27?

Looking ahead to the 2026-27 season, the Canucks face a pivotal decision: will Cootes and/or Medvedev be ready to leap the Abbotsford team?

Starting with the young netminder, there are a few factors which work against him making the jump to the AHL in such quick succession.

Medvedev, a 17-year-old with a mid-September birthday, will turn 19 just before the 2026 training camp. While that will change in the upcoming 2025-26 season, he has yet to play minutes as a starter at the junior level. Does a fast-track from one season as a starting goaltender to fighting for minutes in Abbotsford make sense?

He also plays for the London Knights, who have earned a strong reputation as a well-oiled machine that runs operations much like a professional team. With a continuous wheel of talent, every season between the pipes offers Medvedev a terrific avenue to grow his game on a night-to-night basis.

As for Cootes, with a more polished and responsible two-way game, he possesses a skill set that could transition to the professional ranks. But with areas to grow in his game as well, his 2025-26 season will ultimately showcase whether he is ready to make that leap so quickly or not.

Being a right-shot centre with a hard-nosed motor baked in, there is a much greater chance to earn a spot within an Abbotsford lineup. But will he be ready? Check back next summer.

The AHL’s professional demands mean neither is guaranteed a spot, but the Canucks’ early moves ensure they hold the reins to guide these talents toward their potential.

In a rapidly changing hockey world, the Canucks have positioned themselves well with their two most recent selections.