WESTERN CANADA HOCKEY EXPOSURE CAMP MAY 10-12, 2024 TSUUT'INA NATION, ALBERTA
WESTERN CANADA HOCKEY EXPOSURE CAMP MAY 10-12, 2024 TSUUT'INA NATION, ALBERTA
Founded in 1964, the AJHL has 15 teams. 8 teams play in the Viterra AJHL North Division and 7 teams play in the Viterra AJHL South Division. League and National Champions are the Brooks Bandits. The league is generally considered to be one of the top Junior A leagues in Canada. In 2022, Rieger Lorenz was drafted in the second round of the NHL Draft. In 2017, Cale Makar was drafted fourth overall, and has since won the Calder Trophy, the Norris Trophy, Conn Smythe Trophy and Stanley Cup. Of the leagues in the CJHL, the AJHL usually has the most players make NCAA Division 1 commitments, with a number of players making NCAA Division 3 commitments and USports and ACAC commitments.
Bonnyville Pontiacs Brooks Bandits
Drayton Valley Thunder Calgary Canucks
Fort McMurray Oil Barons Camrose Kodiaks
Grande Prairie Storm Canmore Eagles
Lloydminster Bobcats Drumheller Dragons
Sherwood Park Crusaders Okotoks Oilers
Spruce Grove Saints Olds Grizzlys
Whitecourt Wolverines Blackfalds Bulldogs
This season, 82 players in the AJHL have committed to play NCAA Division 1. The Brooks Bandits have 18 players committed; the Sherwood Park Crusaders have 16 players committed; and the Blackfalds Bulldogs have 9 players committed.
Teams use Letters of Intent to recruit players. Once a Letter of Intent is signed, no other AJHL team can recruit that player. The majority of the players are from Alberta. However, there are players from other provinces and a few players from the United States. Most players will have played U18 AAA or U18 Prep.
Founded in 1961, the BCHL has 18 teams. 9 teams play in the Interior Division and 9 teams play in the Coastal Division. In 2023, the BCHL left Hockey Canada and is an independent league. League champions are the Penticton Vees. Before leaving Hockey Canada, BCHL teams won the National Championship 14 times. The Chilliwack Chiefs most recently won the National Championship in 2018. The league is generally considered to be the best Junior A league in Canada. In 2023, the BCHL had 9 players selected in the NHL Draft. The highest pick was Aydar Suniev, selected in the third round. There are currently 19 BCHL alumni playing in the NHL. Of the Junior leagues in Canada, the BCHL has the most NCAA Division 1 commitments every year.
Cranbrook Bucks Alberni Valley Bulldogs
Merritt Centennials Chilliwack Chiefs
Penticton Vees Coquitlam Express
Prince George Spruce Kings Cowichan Valley Capitals
Salmon Arm Silverbacks Langley Rivermen
Trail Smoke Eaters Nanaimo Clippers
Vernon Vipers Powell River Kings
Wenatchee Wild Surrey Eagles
West Kelowna Warriors Victoria Grizzlies
This season, 194 players in the BCHL have committed to play NCAA Division 1. The Penticton Vees have 20 players committed; the West Kelowna Warriors and Salmon Arm Silverbacks each have 16 players committed; and the Nanaimo Clippers have 14 players committed.
The BCHL does not have a player protected list. Players come from all over North America. The BCHL has the most out-of-province players playing in their league than any other league Junior A League in Canada. Almost all players will have played U18 AAA or U18 Prep, and most will have been top players on their team. Teams must have a minimum of 5 players from BC and can have a maximum of 2 non-North American players. Many top players from other leagues that have already committed will transfer to the BCHL.
Founded in 1918, and the oldest junior league in Canada, the MJHL has 13 teams. 6 teams play in the West Division and 7 teams play in the East Division. League champions are the Steinbach Pistons. The last player to be selected in the NHL Entry Draft was Matthew Thiessen in the seventh round in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft.
Dauphin Kings Steinbach Pistons
Neepawa Titans Swan Valley Stampeders
Niverville Nighthawks Waywayseecappo Wolverines
OCN Blizzard Winkler Flyers
Portage Terriers Winnipeg Blues
Selkirk Steelers Winnipeg Freeze
Virden Oil Capitals
This season, 6 players in the MJHL have committed to play NCAA Division 1. Three of those players were from the Niverville Nighthawks. Last season, 22 players from Manitoba were playing NCAA Division 1 hockey. Many others were playing NCAA Division 1, Usports and ACAC.
The MJHL has a Bantam Draft for Manitoba players. Each team is eligible to protect up to two players from their identified zone prior to the MJHL Draft. All teams then have a 50 player protected list which includes active players and prospects. Most players are from Manitoba, but there are players from other provinces and a few players from the United States. Most players will have played U18 AAA or U18 Prep, but there are a few players that will have played at a lower level.
Founded in 1962, the NOJHL has 12 teams. 6 teams play in the East Division and 6 teams play in the West Division. League champions are the Timmins Rock. No player has been drafted in the NHL Entry Draft directly from the NOJHL.
Cochrane Crunch Blind River Beavers
French River Rapids Elliot Lake Wildcats
Hearst Lumberjacks Espanola Paper Kings
Kirkland Lake Gold Miners Greater Sudbury Cubs
Powassan Voodoos Soo Eagles
Timmins Rock Soo Thunderbirds
This season, 1 player in the NOJHL has committed to play NCAA Division 1. 25 players have committed to play NCAA Division 3. A number of other players have committed to play ACHA and Usports. Each year, a few players also move on to play Major Junior in either the OHL or QMJHL.
The NOJHL does not have a Bantam Draft and does not have a player protected list. Most players come from Ontario; however, there are a few players that come from Western Canada. Many players will have played at the U18 AAA or U18 Prep level, but there are players that will have played at lower levels. This is a good league to consider for players that maybe played U18 AA or U18 Varsity or players that maybe weren't a top 6 forward or a top 4 defenceman on their U18 AAA or U18 Prep team.
Founded in 1975, the NAHL has 32 teams in 20 States in the United States. 6 teams play in the Central Division; 9 teams play in the East Division; 8 teams play in the Midwest Division; and 9 teams play in the South Division. League champions are the Oklahoma Warriors. The NAHL is the top Tier II Junior League in the United States and would be comparable to the BCHL. 7 players with ties to the NAHL were selected in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. There are currently 36 NAHL alumni playing in the NHL, including Connor Hellebuyck. The NAHL easily has the most NCAA Division 1 commitments of any Tier II or Tier III junior league in the States.
Aberdeen Wings Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks
Austin Bruins Jamestown Rebels
Bismarck Bobcats Johnstown Tomahawks
Minnesota Wilderness Maine Nordiques
Minot Minotauros Maryland Black Bears
St. Cloud Norseman New Jersey Titans
New Hampshire Mtn Kings Northeast Generals
Rochester Jr. Americans Philadelphia Rebels
Chippewa Steel Amarillo Bulls
Fairbanks Ice Dogs Corpus Christi IceRays
Janesville Jets El Paso Rhinos
Kanai River Brown Bears Lone Star Brahmas
Colorado Grit New Mexico Ice Wolves
Springfield Jr. Blues Odessa Jackalopes
Anchorage Wolverines Shreveport Mudbugs
Wisconsin Windigo Oklahoma Warriors
This season, 176 players in the NAHL have committed to playing NCAA Division 1. The New Jersey Titans have 12 players committed; the Bismarck Bobcats and the Janesville Jets each have 11 players committed.
The NAHL has a tender process and a draft. Each team is granted 10 tenders. Once a player signs a tender, he is no longer eligible for the draft and no other teams can recruit that player. There is then a draft in June. Each team has a protected list of 30 players. Many Canadian players are selected in the draft. Last year, the first overall selection was from Ontario. Most Canadian players drafted will come from Ontario. However, there have been players from Western Canada that have been high draft picks. In 2020, James Philpott, a defenceman from Calgary, was selected seventh overall by the Maine Nordiques. NAHL teams can select players from all age groups, including players going into their final year of junior hockey. Under the NAHL umbrella are three other leagues - NA3HL, T1ER and NAPHL. Some players play in these leagues as a step to playing in the NAHL. During the off-season, the NAHL also holds combines which gives players that haven't been tendered or drafted an opportunity to play in front of coaches and scouts from different teams. The NAHL does have an import rule. Each team can have up to 4 import players. An import player is a non-United States citizens. Because of the import rule, this is a tough league for young Canadians to play. Most teams use their import spot for older high-end players.
Entering its 14th season, the NA3HL is a Division III Junior A League in the United States. Under the umbrella of the NAHL, the NA3HL acts as a feeder league to the NAHL. There are 34 teams in the NA3HL in 17 states. 6 teams in the Central Division; 6 teams in the East Division; 8 teams in the Frontier Division; 8 teams in the South Division; and 6 teams in the West Division. League champions are the Granite City Lumberjacks. No players have been selected in the NHL Entry Draft from the NA3HL. There have been players that started their junior careers in the NA3HL and then selected in the NHL Entry Draft.
West Bend Power New Hampshire MTn. Kings
Oregon Tradesmen Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks
Peoria Mustangs Long Beach Sharks
Wisconsin Woodmen New Jersey Titans
St. Louis Jr. Blues Northeast Generals
Wausau Cyclones Norwich Sea Captains
Bozeman Icedogs Atlanta Capitals
Butte Irish El Paso Rhinos
Gillette Wild Louisiana Drillers
Great Falls Americans Mid Cities Jr. Stars
Helena Bighorns New Mexico Ice Wolves
Badlands Sabres Texas Brahmas
Sheridan Hawks Texas Roadrunners
Yellowstone Quake Austin Ice Bats
Alexandria Blizzard
Granite City Lumberjacks
Mason City Toros
Minnesota Loons
Rochester Grizzlies
Willmar WarHawks
This season, 3 NA3HL alumini have committed to playing NCAA Division 3. During the 2021-2022 Season, the NA3HL had over 80+ college commitments, with almost 70% of those being NCAA commitments. Over 300 former NA3HL players are currently playing in the NCAA.
The NA3HL has an Entry Draft in April. Like the NAHL, teams can select players from all ages, including players playing in their last year of junior hockey. NA3HL teams also attend the NAHL combines during the combine and will be at many of the exposure camps held throughout the United States. Because these teams don't have budgets, if you're interested in playing for a team in the NA3HL, it's recommended to contact the coach and provide the coach with video. The NA3HL has a similar import rule as the NAHL. This is a decent league to start your junior career. Players do move on to play in the USHL and the NAHL. In 2022, 34 NA3HL players signed tenders to play in the NAHL for the 2022-23 season; 27 more players were selected in the 2022 NAHL Draft.
Founded in 2001, the SIJHL has 7 teams. 6 teams from Canada and 1 team from the United States. The only team from the US is the Wisconsin Lumberjacks. League champions are the Kam River Fighting Walleye. No player has been drafted in the NHL Entry Draft directly from the SIJHL. However, there are a couple of alumni that are now playing in the NHL - Robert Bartuzzo and Carter Hutton. Both played for the Thunder Bay North Stars.
Dryden GM Ice Dogs
Fort Frances Lakers
Kam River Fighting Walleye
Red Lake Miners
Sioux Lookout Bombers
Thunder Bay North Stars
Wisconsin Lumberjacks
There are currently no players playing in the SIJHL that have made NCAA Division 1 commitments. However, in the past few years, the SIJHL has had players commit to NCAA Division 3, ACAC, BCIHL and ACHA.
The SIJHL does not have a Bantam Draft and does not have a protected player list. Players playing on the Canadian teams come from Western Canada and Eastern Ontario. Many teams have a large number of local players. Players playing on the American team mostly come from the Northern States. This a great league for players that may have been overlooked in U18 and are looking to play Junior A hockey.
The SJHL has 12 teams. 4 teams play in the Sherwood Division, 4 teams play in the Nutrien Division and 4 teams play in the Viterra Division. League champions are the Battlefords North Stars. It has been a few years since a player from the SJHL was drafted in the NHL Entry Draft. There are a number of current and former NHL players that played in the SJHL.
Battlefords North Stars
Estevan Bruins
Flin Flon Bombers
Humboldt Broncos
Kindersley Klippers
La Ronge Ice Wolves
Melfort Mustangs
Melville Millionaires
Nipawin Hawks
Notre Dame Hounds
Weyburn Red Wings
Yorkton Terriers
This season, 9 players from the SJHL have committed to playing NCAA Division 1. Last season, 21 players from the SJHL committed to playing NCAA Division 1. Many other players committed to playing NCAA Division 3, ACAC, Usports and ACAC.
The SJHL has a Bantam Draft for Saskatchewan players. Most players are from Saskatchewan, but there are players from other provinces, especially Alberta, and a handful of players from the United States. Most players will have played at the U18 AAA or U18 Prep level, but there are a few players that will have played at a lower level.
Founded in 2012, the USPHL has teams from youth to junior. There are three junior levels - the National Collegiate Development Conference (NCDC), Premier Division and Elite Division.
The NCDC is tuition-free. The NCDC recently expanded in the West. 18 teams play in the NCDC. 6 teams in the New England Division; 6 teams in the Atlantic Division; and 6 teams in the Mountain Division. League champions are the P.A.L. Jr Islanders.
The Premier Division is pay-to-play. 61 teams play in the Premier Division playing across the United States. 8 teams in the Atlantic Division; 6 teams in the Florida Division; teams in the Midwest East; 9 teams in the Midwest West; 7 teams in the New England Division; 5 teams in the Northwest Division; 7 teams in the Pacific Division; and 6 teams in the Southeast Division. League champions are the Charlotte Rush.
The Elite Division is pay-to-play. 28 teams play in the Elite Division paying mostly in the Eastern States. 6 teams in the Atlantic Division; 6 teams in the Florida Division; 6 team in the Midwest Division; 4 teams in the New England Division; and 6 in the Southeast Division. League champions are the Carolina Jr. Hurricanes.
According to the USPHL website, since 2012, the USPHL has sent more than 5,000 players to college hockey, and more than 3,300 into the NCAA realm of college hockey. The NCDC has put more than 200 players into NCAA Division 1 hockey and has seen seven players drafted by NHL teams directly from the NCDC.
This season, 9 players from the NCDC or NCDC alumni have committed to playing NCAA Division 1. Last year, 24 players from the NCDC or NCDC alumni committed to playing NCAA Division 1.
The NCDC has three combines - Detroit, Chicago and Boston. The NCDC also has a draft. Premier Division does not have a draft. Most players in the NCDC will have played U18 AAA or U18 Prep Hockey. However, there are opportunities for elite U18 AA and U18 Varsity players to play in the Premier or Elite Divisions.
Founded originally as the West Kootenay Junior Hockey League in 1966, the league has grown into the Kootenay Junior Hockey League. There are currently 20 teams in the league. 5 teams in the Eddie Mountain Division; 5 teams in the Neil Murdoch Division; 5 teams in the Doug Birks Division; and 5 teams in the Bill Ohlhausen Division. League champions are the Revelstoke Grizzlies. The Grizzlies will be hosting the Cyclone Taylor Cup this year, which is awarded to the winner of the annual tournament amongst the champions of the three Junior B leagues in British Columbia.
Columbia Valley Rockies Beaver Valley Nitehawks
Creston Valley Thundercats Castlegar Rebels
Fernie Ghostriders Grand Forks Border Bruins
Golden Rockets Nelson Leafs
Kimberley Dynamiters Spokane Braves
100 Mile House Wranglers Kelowna Chiefs
Chase Heat Okanagan Knights
Kamloops Storm Osoyoos Coyotes
Sicamous Eagles Princeton Posse
Revelstoke Grizzlies Summerland Steam
While there aren't many players that make an NCAA commitment out of the KIJHL, there are many players that move on to the the BCHL and other leagues that do make an NCAA commitment. There are a few players that will commit to the BCIHL and the ACHA directly from the KIJHL.
This is a great league for U18 AA players. Over the years, more and more Junior A teams in the SJHL and MJHL are looking to recruit players from the KIJHL. A lot of players from Alberta move to play in the KIJHL.