Not to be confused with the real-life Canadian Hockey League The Canadian Hockey League is a junior-level hockey league comprised of 20 teams located in 4 U.S. states and 8 Canadian provinces. The league's headquarters are located in Quebec City, Quebec, and Jacques Demeres serves as the commissioner of the CHL. The CHL was created in 2010 following the mergers of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, the Ontario Hockey League, and the Western Hockey League.
Teams[]
30 Teams called the CHL home.
Eastern Conference
| Atlantic Division | Northern Division |
|---|---|
| Charlottetown Islanders | Flint Firebirds |
| Erie Otters | Guelph Storm |
| Halifax Mooseheads | Hamilton Bulldogs |
| Moncton Wildcats | Kingston Frontenacs |
| Niagara Ice Dogs | London Knights |
| Quebec Remparts | Ottawa 67’s |
| Saint John Sea Dogs | Saginaw Spirit |
| Sherbrooke Phoenix |
Western Conference
| Central Division | Pacific Division |
|---|---|
| Brandon Wheat Kings | Everett Silvertips |
| Calgary Hitmen | Portland Winterhawks |
| Edmonton Oil Kings | Seattle Thunderbirds |
| Kamloops Blazers | Spokane Chiefs |
| Lethbridge Hurricanes | Tri-City Easts |
| Medicine Hat Tigers | Vancouver Giants |
| Regina Pats | Victoria Royals |
| Saskatoon Blades |
Schedule[]
The five Pacific Northwest teams (Everett, Portland, Seattle, Spokane, and Tri-City) would each play 68-game schedule; the other 25 teams (including Vancouver and Victoria) would play 76 games apiece. The implementation of an unbalanced format was seen as a way to ease the Pacific Northwest teams' travel costs as well as reducing stretches of 3 games in 3 nights, which can impede player development and hamper attractive forms of play.
To alleviate the 68/76-game imbalance, the CHL began using an alternative method of ranking its teams and determining playoff seeds. As before, standings points are still awarded (two points for a win, one point for an overtime or shootout loss, none for a regulation loss) but rather than ranking teams by the total amount of points earned, they are positioned by their points percentage, determined as the number of points earned divided by points available to them. For example, a team earning one win and one overtime loss after two games would have a .750 points percentage (3 points earned divided by 4 points available
Memorial Cup[]
The top four teams in each division ranked by points percentage (points earned divided by points available) qualify for the 2016 Calder Cup Playoffs, with one exception in each conference: if the fifth-place team in the Atlantic or Central Division finishes with a better points percentage than the fourth-place team in the North or Pacific Division, it would cross over and compete in the other division’s bracket. All the rounds rounds are best-of-seven.
Memorial Cup Winners[]
2011: Saginaw Spirit
2012: Calgary Hitmen
2013: Vancouver Giants
2014: Guelph Storm
2015: Portland Winterhawks
2016: Saginaw Spirit
Television Partners[]
Following the 2015-16 season, Omni's television deal with the Canadian Hockey League came to an end. Already renewing their deal with HTN Communications to carry on the games in syndication, the league needed a new television deal. On July 1, 2016, it was announced that Trio, through their sister network, Trio Plus, will be carry games for the league, as well has hosting a nightly series for the CHL that will cover that night's games as well as news throughout the CHL. During the regular season, Trio Plus would be airing a Thursday Night Double-header every week, while HTN Communications will be airing Friday Night Hockey games and Sunday afternoon "Game of the Week" broadcasts for the league. Also during the playoff run, Trio Plus (Eastern Conference) and HTN Communications (Western Conference) will air separate playoff games throughout the run, leading to the Memorial Cup Finals, where HTN Communications will air games 1-3, and Trio Plus will air games 4-7.
Seasons[]
2010-11 CHL Season[]
Division Winners
| Atlantic | Saint John Sea Dogs (Best record in the conference) |
|---|---|
| Northern | Guelph Storm |
| Central | Calgary Hitmen (best record in the league) |
| Pacific | Portland Winterhawks |
Due to Kamloops having a higher point percentage than Spokane, the Blazers will be the No. 4 seed in the Pacific Divisional Playoffs
Playoffs
| Divisional Semifinals | |
|---|---|
| East | West |
| No. 1 Sea Dogs 4, No. 4 Islanders 2
No. 2 Mooseheads 4, No. 3 Otters 2 No. 3 Spirit 4, No. 2 67’s 3 |
No. 1 Hitmen 4, No. 4 Hurricanes 0
No. 2 Pats 4, No. 3 Oil Kings 3 No. 3 Thunderbirds 4, No. 2 Giants 3 |
| Divisional Finals | |
| East | West |
| Sea Dogs 4, Mooseheads 3
Spirit 4, Storm 2 |
Hitmen 4, Pats 3
Thunderbirds 4, Winterhawks 3 |
| Conference Finals | |
| East | West |
| Spirit 4, Sea Dogs 1 | Thunderbirds 4, Hitmen 3 |
Memorial Cup Finals: Spirit 4, Thunderbirds 2
Regular Season MVP:Rakeem Lynch, Saint John
Playoff MVP: Cornelius Holly, Saginaw
2011-12 CHL Season[]
Division Winners
| Atlantic | Saint John Sea Dogs (Best record in the conference) |
|---|---|
| Northern | Saginaw Spirit |
| Central | Calgary Hitmen |
| Pacific | Vancouver Giants (Best record in the league) |
Due to Lethbridge having a higher point percentage than Everett, the Hurricanes will be the No. 4 seed in the Pacific Divisional Playoffs
Playoffs
| Divisional Semifinals | |
|---|---|
| East | West |
| No. 1 Sea Dogs 4, No. 4 Wildcats 0
No. 2 Mooseheads 4, No. 3 Islanders 1 No. 3 Bulldogs 4, No. 2 Storm 3 |
No. 1 Hitmen 4, No. 4 Blazers 0
No. 3 Pats 4, No. 2 Oil Kings 0 No. 2 Winterhawks 4, No. 3 Thunderbirds 0 |
| Divisional Finals | |
| East | West |
| Sea Dogs 4, Mooseheads 1
Bulldogs 4, Spirit 3 |
Hitmen 4, Pats 1
Winterhawks 4, Giants 2 |
| Conference Finals | |
| East | West |
| Sea Dogs 4, Bulldogs 3 | Hitmen 4, Winterhawks 1 |
Memorial Cup Finals: Hitmen 4, Sea Dogs 0
Regular Season MVP:Lotavian Harris, Halifax
Playoff MVP: Justin Pittman, Calgary
2012-13 CHL Season[]
Division Winners
| Atlantic | Halifax Mooseheads (Best record in the conference) |
|---|---|
| Northern | Guelph Storm |
| Central | Calgary Hitmen (Best record in the league) |
| Pacific | Portland Winterhawks |
Due to Kamloops having a higher point percentage than Spokane, the Blazers will be the no. 4 seed in the Pacific Divisional playoffs
Playoffs
| Divisional Semifinals | |
|---|---|
| East | West |
| No. 1 Mooseheads 4, No. 4 Otters 3
No. 2 Sea Dogs 4, No. 3 Ice Dogs 2 No. 3 Bulldogs 4, No. 2 Spirit 3 |
No. 1 Hitmen 4, No. 4 Hurricanes 0
No. 3 Oil Kings 4, No. 2 Pats 2 No. 2 Giants 4, No. 3 Thunderbirds 3 |
| Divisional Finals | |
| East | West |
| Mooseheads 4, Sea Dogs 1
Bulldogs 4, Storm 3 |
Hitmen 4, Oil Kings 1
Giants 4, Winterhawks 3 |
| Conference Finals | |
| East | West |
| Mooseheads 4, Bulldogs 1 | Giants 4, Hitmen 3 |
Memorial Cup Finals: Giants 4, Mooseheads 1
Regular Season MVP: Rakeem Lynch, Saint John
Playoff MVP: James Williams, Vancouver
2013-14 CHL Season[]
Division Winners
| Atlantic | Saint John Sea Dogs (Best record in the conference) |
|---|---|
| Northern | Guelph Storm |
| Central | Calgary Hitmen |
| Pacific | Portland Winterhawks (Best record in the league) |
Due to Kamloops having a higher point percentage than Tri-City, the Blazers will be the no. 4 seed in the Pacific Divisional playoffs
Playoffs
| Divisional Semifinals | |
|---|---|
| East | West |
| No. 4 Islanders 4, No. 1 Sea Dogs 2
No. 2 Mooseheads 4, No. 3 Ice Dogs 2 No. 2 Spirit 4, No. 3 Bulldogs 2 |
No. 4 Hurricanes 4, No. 1 Hitmen 1
No. 2 Pats 4, No. 3 Oil Kings 2 No. 3 Thunderbirds 4, No. 2 Giants 1 |
| Divisional Finals | |
| East | West |
| Islanders 4, Mooseheads 3
Storm 4, Spirit 2 |
Pats 4, Hurricanes 0
Winterhawks 4, Thunderbirds 1 |
| Conference Finals | |
| East | West |
| Storm 4, Islanders 3 | Winterhawks 4, Pats 1 |
Memorial Cup Finals: Storm 4, Winterhawks 3
Regular Season MVP: Rakeem Lynch, Saint John
Playoff MVP: Taboree McBride, Guelph
2014-15 CHL Season[]
Division Winners
| Atlantic | Halifax Mooseheads |
|---|---|
| Northern | Guelph Storm (Best Record in the League) |
| Central | Calgary Hitmen |
| Pacific | Vancouver Giants (Best Record in the conference) |
Due to Lethbridge having a higher point percentage than Everett, the Hurricanes will be the No. 4 seed in the Pacific Divisional playoffs
Playoffs
| Divisional Semifinals | |
|---|---|
| East | West |
| No. 4 Islanders 4, No. 1 Mooseheads 1
No. 2 Sea Dogs 4, No. 3 Otters 1 No. 3 Bulldogs 4, No. 2 Spirit 2 |
No. 1 Hitmen 4, No. 4 Blazers 1
No. 3 Pats 4, No. 2 Oil Kings 0 No. 2 Winterhawks 4, No. 3 Thunderbirds 0 |
| Divisional Finals | |
| East | West |
| Sea Dogs 4, Islanders 1
Storm 4, Bulldogs 1 |
Hitmen 4, Pats 3
Winterhawks 4, Giants 1 |
| Conference Finals | |
| East | West |
| Sea Dogs 4, Storm 2 | Winterhawks 4, Hitmen 3 |
Memorial Cup Finals: Winterhawks 4, Sea Dogs 3
Regular Season MVP: Jametrius Hall, Halifax
Playoff MVP: Jack Chatman, Portland
2015-16 CHL Season[]
Division Winners[]
| Atlantic | Saint John Sea Dogs (Best record in the conference) |
|---|---|
| Northern | Guelph Storm |
| Central | Calgary Hitmen |
| Pacific | Portland Winterhawks (Best record in the League) |
Due to Kamloops having a higher point percentage than Everett, the Blazers will be the No. 4 seed in the Pacific Divisional playoffs
Playoffs
| Divisional Semifinals | |
|---|---|
| East | West |
| No. 1 Sea Dogs 4, No. 4 Otters 0
No. 2 Mooseheads 4, No. 3 Islanders 1 No. 2 Spirit 4, No. 3 67’s 2 |
No. 1 Hitmen 4, No. 4 Hurricanes 2
No. 3 Pats 4. No. 2 Oil Kings 1 No. 2 Giants 4, No. 3 Thunderbirds 2 |
| Divisional Finals | |
| East | West |
| Mooseheads 4, Sea Dogs 2
Spirit 4, Bulldogs 3 |
Hitmen 4, Pats 3
Winterhawks 4, Giants 0 |
| Conference Finals | |
| East | West |
| Spirit 4, Mooseheads 3 | Winterhawks 4, Hitmen 2 |
Memorial Cup Finals: Spirit 4, Winterhawks 3
Regular Season MVP: Lotavian Harris, Halifax
Playoff MVP: Laterrance Henderson, Saginaw