NHLPA to help members complete education with Boston College partnership

National Hockey League Players Association members will get the chance to go back to school. 

On Wednesday, the NHLPA and the Woods College of Advancing Studies at Boston College announced an agreement allowing current and former NHLPA members to complete their educations through the NHLPA UNLMT program. 

The UNLMT program was created in 2023 to “meet players where they are, maximize their experience on and off the ice, and give them the tools to leverage the game for a lifetime.”

The new partnership will help members work towards a college diploma or certificate, with applications and transfer credits reviewed on a case-by-case basis. 

With the program accepting up to 90 transfer credits of Boston College’s 120-credit degree requirement, the opportunity could be a game-changer for athletes who opted to leave their studies early before graduation to pursue professional hockey. 

According to the NHLPA’s press release, several players who did not attend university have also expressed interest in the program. 

“The NHLPA is constantly encouraging its players to take advantage of opportunities, including personal development through continuing education,” said NHLPA Executive Director Marty Walsh, a Wood College graduate himself. 

“The Woods College of Advancing Studies provides the needed flexibility in transferring existing college credits and the experience in providing degree completion for professional athletes. That is a big differentiator.  A college diploma sets players up for success by preparing them for the next phase of their lives. To help our members earn a degree from a renowned university like Boston College is a win-win for all involved.”

Over one-third of current NHL players played college hockey in the United States, with a select few playing university hockey north of the border. This number will likely increase in years to come, as former CHL players are now allowed to play in the NCAA. 

Chicago Blackhawks‘ defenceman Alex Vlasic is one of the many players who could take the opportunity, leaving rival Boston University in 2022 after three years to play in the NHL. Famously, he sent an email to classmates saying he was not continuing in the class after signing a six-year $4.6M AAV Contract in 2024.

Other professional sports player unions and leagues in the United States have taken on similar education programs. 

The MLS Players’ Association announced an educational partnership with the University of Florida, offering similar opportunities at UF as NHL players will get through BU. At the same time, the NFL’s Continuing Education Program assists current and former players in completing their undergraduate degrees. MLB has a CEP program with Northeastern University. 

“I had promised a lot of people, including my parents and former BC hockey coach Jerry York, that I would finish college at some point,” said two-time Stanley Cup champion Brooks Orpik, who returned to Boston College in 2020. 

“The Woods College faculty and staff made the process as easy as possible. The feeling of pride I had was just so different than anything, athletically, I have accomplished.”  

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