Northeastern did not need to change its recruiting approach when the ruling granted CHL players NCAA eligibility. The ruling opened direct access to a region the program already knew well.

For the Huskies, Quebec has long been a productive recruiting ground, with notable names from the area having played for the program, including Jeremy Davies, Devon Levi, Jeremie Bucheler, Kevin Roy, and the Hryckowian brothers (Justin and Dylan), among others.

Of course, up until the ruling, those players primarily came from the USHL, BCHL, or as a transfer from another program. Now, Northeastern has direct access to Quebec.

“(Head coach) Jerry Keefe and (former head coach and current Athletic Director) Jim Madigan have made great inroads in Quebec and brought down some really good players,” associate head coach Mike Levine told Puck Preps. “The area has been so good to us in recruiting that when the Quebec League opened up, it was natural to keep going there and identify players we felt could help our program.”

That familiarity gave Northeastern a head start. While other programs were learning the league, the Huskies already understood its development model and the connections were already in place from years of relationship building.

”It was important for our staff to build trust and relationships with both coaches and general managers in the Quebec League,” Levine said. “There’s very good coaching there, and they’ve been receptive to us coming into their buildings and building trust.”

The clearest example of that trust turning into action is forward Jacob Mathieu. Now enrolled as a freshman at Northeastern, the 4-star recruit was among the first QMJHL players to commit to the Northeastern program after the eligibility change. Coming from the Rimouski Océanic, he finished his final junior season with 41 goals and 68 points in 59 games and totaled 184 points in 232 QMJHL games.

“Jacob was the first Quebec kid we committed,” Levine said. “He’s been really good for us. He came in ready to go, he’s a leader on and off the ice, and he’s transitioned well academically. You’re seeing more and more kids from that league come into college hockey and have immediate success.”

Mathieu’s impact reinforced Northeastern’s confidence in the league, and the current commitment list reflects that belief.

Cole Chandler, a 4-star recruit and Boston Bruins draft pick, committed to the Huskies back in July. The 2007-born forward has accumulated 12 goals and 33 points in 38 games with the Shawinigan Cataractes. Chandler is projected to arrive in 2026 or 2027, dependent on readiness and program attrition.

Nathan Quinn, a 4.5-star recruit from Napierville, Quebec, committed to Northeastern back in March. Like Chandler, he’s a 2007-born forward prospect playing for the Quebec Remparts this season, where he has 21 goals and 44 points across 34 games played. He, too, is projected to arrive either next year or Fall 2027.

Liam Kilfoil, a 4-star prospect, adds another proven QMJHL resume after producing 46 points with the Halifax Mooseheads last season. Through 46 games this year, the Quispamsis, New Brunswick, native has nine goals and 27 points in 34 games. He could arrive as soon as next year.

Defenseman Noah Laberge, a 3-star recruit from St-Bruno-de-Montarville, Quebec, has put up six goals and 33 points in 38 games with the Newfoundland Regiment from the back end. He is projected to come in next season.

Most recently, Northeastern received a commitment from 4-star defenseman Jordan Tourigny. The 2005-born recruit will come into the program next fall and has five goals and 22 assists split between two squads in the QMJHL this season.

The pipeline continues with future commitments from forwards Nathan Lecompte (4.5-star) and Maxime Lafond, and goaltender Samuel Meloche – all projected for a Fall 2027 arrival.

Lecompte has been a consistent scorer with Chicoutimi, having racked up 18 goals and 44 points in 37 games. Meloche owns a 2.99 goals-against average in 31 contests with Rouyn-Noranda Huskies. Lafond has produced nine goals and 33 points offensively with Drummondville.

Drummondville is also where current Northeastern commit Owen Keefe has played this season after transitioning into the league. The big defenseman has put up four goals and 26 points from the back end so far this year. His progress has reinforced the staff’s belief that time in the QMJHL can prepare players for college hockey.

With the NCAA barrier removed, Northeastern’s long standing Quebec ties now carry more weight, and they will continue to take full advantage of the talent coming out of the QMJHL.