Established in 1975, the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) is the world’s largest development hockey league with 51 Canadian and nine American teams participating in the Western Hockey League (WHL), Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). The CHL supplies more players to the National Hockey League (NHL) and U SPORTS than any other league. During the 2023-24 campaign, of the 1,000-plus players who played a game in the NHL, over 430 came through the CHL. At the 2024 NHL Draft, 88 CHL players were selected, including 14 in the first round.
As a leader in education, the CHL’s 60 clubs collectively invested over $7 million to support more than 930 CHL graduates pursuing post-secondary education during the 2023-24 season – once again making this scholarship program one of the most comprehensive of its kind in North America. When also considering the almost $3 million invested by CHL teams in the schooling of current players on their roster, the total invested by CHL clubs on education came close to $10 million in 2023-24.
On an annual basis, the CHL supports many community causes including Pink in the Rink in support of breast cancer and cancer research charities, Talk Today in support of the Canadian Mental Health Association, and local children’s charities with Teddy Bear Toss nights, among others. The CHL is also a major supporter of Canadian minor hockey with strong support at the league and club levels, and backing community hockey at the grassroots level via local and regional minor hockey programs, player development camps, officiating development camps, sponsorship programs, community fundraising events and engagement, and more.