Explanation of the rule
Red Line Report of the Rule:
In a move that can only be described as a complete and utter defiance of all logic and sensibility, the NCAA has now ruled that they will allow 18-year-olds who have not yet entered university to make themselves available for the NHL Entry Draft without losing their collegiate eligibility.
Nothing so unusual about that on the surface. In fact, it's exactly what logic should have dictated about a decade ago, since all other players the world over could enter the draft at age 18.
It's the second part of the ruling that makes it mind boggling. And it goes like this: 18-year-olds who HAVE already entered university are still not allowed to opt-in to the draft without having their collegiate eligibility (and valuable scholarships) stripped.