Rangers prospect MacBeath heads to Denver after strong WHL year
Ben MacBeath, a left-shot defenseman, had a standout 2025-26 season with the Calgary Hitmen of the WHL. He will now play at the University of Denver, taking advantage of the recent rule change allowing CHL players to compete in NCAA hockey. MacBeath is ranked No. 7 in the Rangers' top prospects list.
MacBeath, a 6-foot-2, 196-pound left-shot defenseman, was originally selected by the Kelowna Rockets in the 2023 WHL Prospect Draft but declined that route to preserve his NCAA eligibility at Denver. He spent time in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League and later with Salmon Arm of the BCHL before the August 2025 rule change permitted CHL participation without forfeiting college hockey. Calgary aggressively traded for his rights, and he delivered an all-situations season while averaging roughly 25–26 minutes per game by season's end. Hitmen GM Cass Bruni praised both his on-ice impact and off-ice character, noting MacBeath volunteered with local youth and maintained high academic standing. The Rangers selected him in the second round of the 2026 NHL Draft, with scouts citing elite skating, size, and a developing puck game.
This story reflects a broader shift in North American hockey development, as the CHL-NCAA rule change gives top prospects like MacBeath unprecedented flexibility to combine major junior experience with college education. That flexibility could reshape how teams like the Rangers evaluate and develop young defensemen, while also influencing where talented players choose to play. Colleges such as Denver may see an influx of higher-caliber athletes, potentially raising the competitive level of NCAA hockey. For young players and their families, the change could expand options and reduce pressure to commit to a single path early in their careers.