Division I 17 and 18-year-old ice-hockey players now can enter the NHL draft and still maintain college eligibility, the NCAA announced Wednesday.

NCAA rules stated players less than 19 years of age were not able to enter the draft, slated for June 26-27. NHL teams can hold a player's draft rights for 30 days upon graduation. Players can still keep their college eligibility as long as they do not play for a professional team or hire an agent.

This new ruling would allow sophomore defenseman A.J. Thelen, with a March 11, 1986 birthday, to enter the draft.

Thelen is projected to be taken No. 16 overall, per the NHL's Central Scouting List, released Jan. 14. Junior forward David Booth also is on the list, at No. 24 overall.

Thelen finished his freshman campaign with 29 points, good for fourth on the team. He received the CCHA's Best Offensive Defenseman and became the first MSU rookie to be named to the All-CCHA First Team.