JUNIOR HOCKEY
Top junior leagues -- the world's best young talent and NHL draft pipeline.
Ontario Hockey League
Top junior hockey in Ontario, Canada. 20 teams. Premier path to NHL.
Western Hockey League
Western Canada and US Pacific Northwest. 22 teams. Major CHL league.
QMJHL
Quebec, Maritimes, and eastern Canada. 18 teams. French-language hub.
USHL
Top junior league in the US. 17 teams. Premier development path for American players.
ABOUT JUNIOR HOCKEY
Junior hockey is the primary development pathway for North American hockey players aiming for NCAA college hockey and the NHL. Major Junior leagues (OHL, WHL, QMJHL) offer elite competition for players ages 16-20, often as an alternative to college hockey. The USHL is the top junior league in the United States, serving as a pipeline for NCAA Division I players and future professionals.