CHL set to launch 2017-18 season
With the advent of autumn comes another year of exciting junior hockey from coast-to-coast as the 2017-18 Canadian Hockey League season gets underway on Thursday.
The 2017 Mastercard Memorial Cup champion Windsor Spitfires open the campaign on home ice, throwing a tailgate party for fans in advance of the big game that is one of four on the schedule across the country on Thursday night. Elsewhere the Ottawa 67’s will open their 50th OHL season in Barrie and the defending champion Erie Otters pay a visit to the Peterborough Petes.
Other anniversaries being celebrated in the OHL this season include the North Bay Battalion’s 20th campaign and fifth in North Bay following relocation from Brampton in 2013. The Kingston Frontenacs embark on their 45th season and the Kitchener Rangers hit the ice for their 55th.
5⃣0⃣ days out!
We’re celebrating our 50th anniversary season by paying tribute to our epic history.
DETAILS ➡️ https://t.co/He75oBjpul pic.twitter.com/0EM2CleVzK
— Ottawa 67’s (@Ottawa67sHockey) August 2, 2017
In the QMJHL, the defending President Cup champion Saint John Sea Dogs open the season on home ice against the Halifax Mooseheads. Eight more teams feature home openers on Friday night including the Val-d’Or Foreurs who open their 25th QMJHL season at home to the Sherbrooke Phoenix.
The WHL season opens with a busy night on Friday as 16 teams are in action. The 2018 Mastercard Memorial Cup host Regina Pats open their 100th season on the road in Brandon while other home openers take place in Kootenay, Prince Albert, Lethbridge, Saskatoon, Prince George, Victoria and Kelowna. The defending WHL champion Seattle Thunderbirds open their schedule on Saturday at home to the Tri-City Americans who are embarking on their 30th WHL season.
The 2017-18 season includes a number of dates of interest including the 2017 CIBC Canada Russia Series that takes place from November 6-16 with games in Moose Jaw, Swift Current, Owen Sound, Sudbury, Charlottetown and Moncton. The CHL’s top players represent their respective leagues, taking on Russian National Junior Team hopefuls in a showcase ahead of the 2018 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship this December in Buffalo, NY.
The ????rivalry continues.#CHL & title partner @CIBC proudly announce 2017 CIBC #CANvsRUS Series hosts.
DETAILS: https://t.co/oPVvk9YDv8 pic.twitter.com/ixRip8BvmI
— CanadianHockeyLeague (@CHLHockey) March 8, 2017
Last year, the CHL claimed victory for a second straight year over Russia, doing so in back-to-back seasons for the first time in seven years. The QMJHL confirmed the 13-5 points outcome with a pair of wins in Chicoutimi and Baie-Comeau.
One particular unique element to this year’s schedule includes a pair of games between inter-league opponents, both matchups that will count in the regular season standings. As part of their 50th anniversary celebrations, the Ottawa 67’s will take on their cross-river QMJHL neighbours the Gatineau Olympiques on Sunday December 17th before making a return visit to Gatineau on Friday January 12th.
The Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game comes to Guelph, Ont. on Thursday January 25th. The 2018 event marks the 23rd annual showcase of the CHLs top-40 NHL draft eligible players featuring talent from all three leagues.
Proud to announce Guelph @Storm_City to host 2018 @SherwinWilliams #CHL / #NHL Top Prospects Game.#SWTP DETAILS: https://t.co/04Gmm4Y71j pic.twitter.com/UKU3fvLn1Y
— CanadianHockeyLeague (@CHLHockey) April 5, 2017
Last year in Quebec City, Team Cherry got back in the win column for the first time since 2010 as eventual Chicago Blackhawks first round pick Henri Jokiharju of the Portland Winterhawks led his club to a 7-5 victory with three assists. Thirty-seven of the 89 CHL players chosen in the 2017 NHL Draft competed in the Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game.
The 2017-18 CHL season culminates in the 100th edition of the Mastercard Memorial Cup that will take place in Regina, Saskatchewan from May 17-27, 2018. The host Pats, who reached the WHL Championship Series last spring, will compete against the champions of the Western Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League, and the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League in the traditional round-robin tournament format.
The celebration of the century.@WHLPats to host historic 2018 Mastercard Memorial Cup.
DETAILS: https://t.co/JvtdIhcOjk #MCMemorialCup ? pic.twitter.com/n3TGfRhrp2
— CanadianHockeyLeague (@CHLHockey) February 20, 2017
It’s only fitting that the Pats, named after Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, will host the 100th celebration of the league’s prestigious national championship in their 100th season. They are the CHL’s oldest franchise, one that began operations in 1917.
This week, 60 teams from coast-to-coast embark on the quest to capture the Memorial Cup, a trophy dedicated to the many Canadian Military Personnel killed in combat serving our country.
Thursday presents part one of the journey, a regular season consisting of 2,086 games from coast-to-coast as clubs battle to be a part of the celebration of the century next May in Regina.