[Update: It appears some sources jumped the gun on assuming that the 19-year-old exception would start this season. So, this is now just a wonderful thought exercise…JG]
Earlier this week, news dropped that some elements of the memorandum of understanding between the NHL and the NHLPA would roll into effect earlier than the September 15, 2026 start date for the agreement. While the vast majority of the early implantations dealt primarily with the salary cap, including the new playoff cap rules, one particular element might be of interest to fans of prospects.
Under the current agreement between the NHL, AHL, and CHL, players that have CHL eligibility are not allowed to play in the AHL unless they are over the age of 20. There were some exceptions to that rule during the COVID days, but for the most part, even if a 19-year-old player had gained all he could gain from junior hockey, but wasn’t ready for the NHL, he was stuck going back to juniors. With the new MOU, that is slated to change…slightly.
Teams are now allowed to select one 19-year-old player that can play for their AHL affiliate. It was assumed that rule would start for the 2026-27 season, but it appears to be part of the package of rules that is rolling out a little early. For the most part, it doesn’t affect many of the Lightning prospects. Namely because they’ve, for the most part, eschewed the Canadian junior hockey system, choosing a majority of their prospects from Europe or the U.S. collegiate system.
As of right now, according to Elite Prospects, the Lightning have a grand total of four prospects slated to play in the CHL. Two in the QMJHL (Jan Golicic and Everett Baldwin) and two in the OHL (Ethan Czata and Sam O’Reilly). Czata and Baldwin are both 18-years-old and therefore not eligible under the new rule. While Golicic just turned 19 and would therefore be eligible, another season with the Gatineau Olympiques is probably the best move for him.
That leaves the Bolts with one player that might just be in-line for a look at the AHL level. It just happens to be the newest member of the Lightning’s prospect family – Sam O’Reilly. The forward, acquired in the Isaac Howard trade, turned 19 in March. That puts him right in line with the type of player that might benefit from starting his pro career a little earlier than had been previously allowed.
Should he return to the London Knights it will be his fourth season (third full season) in the OHL. After a brief five-game debut in 2022-23, he’s appeared in 130 games over the past two seasons, posting 48 goals and 79 assists during the last two years. Not only that, he’s also appeared in 33 playoff games as London has taken back-to-back trips to the Memorial Cup Final, and lifted the trophy in 2025 after taking down Harrison Meneghin and the Medicine Hat Tigers.
O’Reilly assisted on Easton Cowan’s game-winning goal as the Knights won, 4-1.
#Leafs prospect Easton Cowan (#7 in white) beats out the icing and gets rewarded with the goal, giving London a 2-0 lead in the Memorial Cup final.
— Acceptable Treliving (@brigstew.bsky.social) June 1, 2025 at 8:18 PM
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That was a nifty little feed to the Maple Leafs prospect. Throughout the playoffs O’Reilly posted 22 points (7 goals, 15 assists) in 17 games. Not too shabby. There is the challenge of returning to London to repeat as champs, but is that best for his development?
At 19, he would be among the older players in the league. Yes, there are 20-year-old NHL prospects, however, the bulk of the players are between 16 and 18. He’s shown that he can play with the best of them at that age, and maybe the better challenge lies against older competition in the AHL.
While he’s not a towering giant, he isn’t a willow of a man either, and he plays a fairly physical game. Fear of injury shouldn’t be an issue with him playing against older, bigger competition, and it’s something he’ll have to get used to at some point in his professional career. Whether it’s this year or next year doesn’t really make that much of a difference.
Getting into the professional leagues a little earlier will give him a little more time to adjust to the increased pace of the game. As a player that is known for his defensive play so far in his young career, that is an aspect where having more time can be a benefit. It gives him more time to learn the angles needed to excel at the professional game.
Offensively, it’ll also give him an idea of what works in the pro level. His quick-natured game in the offensive zone should play well at upper levels of hockey, but he needs to play against better competition to see what works and what doesn’t.
Chances are the Lightning are going to keep a close eye on him during the prospect tournament and training camp to decide exactly where the next stop for his career might be. As an organization that is notoriously cautious with their prospects they might decide he needs another season in London. However, if he proves he can perform against better competition, it wouldn’t be a total shock to see him in Syracuse this fall.
