NCAA Transfer Portal: Who’s in it and why the outrage?

Harvard goaltender Michael Lackey entered the transfer portal before landing with Providence. (John McCreary/Harvard Athletics)

Nothing has been a more hot-button topic in college hockey over the last two months than the NCAA Transfer Portal.

In a new phenomenon, the NCAA is allowing players to enter into the transfer portal. Players opting to go into the transfer portal are not required to transfer or guaranteeing they will transfer, but it leaves the door open — and allows other schools’ coaches to speak with them.

The transfer portal first made major news this year in New England when Holy Cross freshman forward Matt Barry went into the transfer portal during the first semester. He has since transferred to Miami (Ohio).

Transfers, especially grad transfers who can play immediately, can have a major impact for a team. After transferring from St. Lawrence, Jacob Pritchard was the second-leading scorer for UMass and just signed a NHL entry level contract with the Carolina Hurricanes.