Canadian Hockey League’s Post

With the 2024 NHL Draft set to take place this week on June 28-29, countless draft-eligible prospects from the CHL are set to head to the Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada, for the two-day event. With 149 CHL players listed in NHL Central Scouting’s Final Rankings, the CHL is once again poised to have the greatest number of players drafted to the National Hockey League (NHL) of any other development league in the world. Last year at the 2023 NHL Draft, 80 CHL players were selected between rounds one through seven (accounting for about 36% of all draft picks), including 11 in the first round. The 80 selections, along with the 11 CHL players chosen among the first 32 picks, were the most of any league. For more about the storylines heading into the 2024 NHL Draft and the CHL players set to be selected, check out our story below. https://lnkd.in/gJBhXb6x Western Hockey League (WHL) | Ontario Hockey League (OHL) | Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)

The CHL is proud to announce that 14 CHL players were selected in the first round of the 2024 National Hockey League (NHL) Draft in Las Vegas, Nevada. The 14 selections represented nearly half of the NHL’s first-round picks on Friday and stood as the most of any development league in the world. In total, six CHL players were taken in the top 10, matching the highest number of CHL skaters selected within the first 10 picks since six were chosen in 2020. Over the last 55 years, the CHL has had 10 or more of its players selected in the first round of every NHL Draft dating back to 1969 – a streak that now runs at 56 consecutive drafts. Following last night's first round, there have now been a total of 894 players from the CHL selected in the first round of an NHL Draft since 1969 — accounting for nearly two-thirds of all first-rounders chosen over that time. The 2024 NHL Draft will continue today at 11:30 a.m. ET / 8:30 a.m. PT with rounds two through seven. To read more about the players and their accomplishments, please see the release below. https://lnkd.in/g5DbRt3p

Today, 147 CHL players have been listed in the NHL Central Scouting’s Midterm Rankings ahead of the 2024 NHL Draft, which is scheduled to take place in Las Vegas, Nevada from June 28-29. Of the 147 CHL players listed, which represents the most of any development hockey league in the world, 60 players hail from the Western Hockey League (WHL), 53 from the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and 34 from the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). Within the top-40 ranked North American skaters, the CHL counts 29 of its players among that group, including three defencemen in the top-10. The CHL continues to be the top supplier of talent in the National Hockey League (NHL). Last season, 139 CHL players appeared in the Midterm Rankings, before 80 CHL players were selected (accounting for nearly 36% of all draft picks) at the 2023 NHL Draft in Nashville. For more details about today's announcement, along with the full list of CHL players ranked by NHL Central Scouting, check out the release below. TSN - The Sports Network - Canada | RDS https://lnkd.in/d2mJBpr8

The CHL is proud to announce that a total of 88 CHL players were selected during the seven rounds of the 2024 National Hockey League (NHL) Draft, which was held over the last two days at the Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada. The 88 selections, which accounted for 39% of the 225 picks made by the NHL’s 32 clubs, were the largest from the CHL since 2017 and represented the most of any development league in the world at the 2024 NHL Draft. According to the NHL, the 88 selections from the CHL were more than the combined 38 players chosen out of the United States Hockey League (USHL) and USA Hockey's National Team Development Program (NTDP). The CHL also exceeded 80 draft picks for the fourth year in a row, marking the 17th time in the last 20 years that it has achieved this feat. Of the players chosen, the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) led the way with 39 drafted players, followed by the Western Hockey League (WHL) with 34 and the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) with 15. In total, 47 CHL clubs had a player picked in this draft led by the Brampton Steelheads Hockey Club of the OHL, who had five of their players selected between both Friday and Saturday. Meanwhile, 29 of the NHL’s 32 clubs drafted at least one CHL player with the Seattle Kraken and Calgary Flames (Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation) leading the way with seven. READ MORE | https://lnkd.in/gAm4yhm4

🏒 The Return of NHL Players to the Olympic Stage: A Game-Changer for Global Hockey 🌍 In Janelle Wells, Ph.D., Global Environment of Sport & Entertainment class we discussed the excitement surrounding the recent decision to allow NHL players to participate in the Winter Olympics, which marks a significant shift in the landscape of international hockey. Beyond the excitement of seeing our favorite players don their national jerseys once again, this move holds deeper implications for the sport as a whole. For starters, the absence of NHL stars from the past few Olympic Games undoubtedly impacted the level of competition and the overall viewing experience. While talented players from other leagues stepped up admirably, there's no denying the allure and skill that NHL players bring to the ice. Moreover, the return of NHL players to the Olympics reinforces the importance of unity and collaboration within the hockey community. It's a testament to the sport's ability to transcend borders and bring together athletes from diverse backgrounds for a common goal. From a strategic standpoint, this decision could also have ripple effects on player development, team dynamics, and the global hockey market. By showcasing their talents on the Olympic stage, players have the opportunity to elevate their profiles on an international scale, potentially attracting new fans and sponsors alike. Moreover, it's worth acknowledging the players' excitement to compete for their respective countries. As we look ahead to the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, it's clear that the inclusion of NHL players adds an extra layer of anticipation and excitement. Get ready for some unforgettable moments as the world's best hockey talent competes for gold on the grandest stage of all. Check out this article to learn more about the announcement! https://lnkd.in/gBJ4uw2m #NHLinOlympics #GlobalWells #VSEM

Lessons from the Oilers' Stanley Cup Loss No Canadian team has won the Stanley Cup in the last 30 years. And we are disappointed but we need to understand one thing first. The NHL stands out as a league with substantial competitive parity. Unlike the NFL, NBA, or top European soccer leagues, the NHL provides a platform where many teams can realistically aim for the Stanley Cup. In other words, there are no dynastic runs like the Patriots, Real Madrid, or Lakers sweeping all the championships and fans. At least not in the last three decades. No NHL team has won the Stanley Cup more than twice back-to-back in the last 30 years. And it's a healthy thing. In fact, it's so healthy that it's almost a requirement to lose in the finals to win the cup. Don't believe me? Check out the last 30 years' winners and losers: Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Pittsburgh Penguins, Detroit Red Wings, and Boston Bruins... All these teams made it to the finals and lost, significantly increasing their chances of winning the cup within 5 years. And the probability of winning the cup if you made it to the finals increases as high as 60% within 2 years among all the teams in the league. If you lost twice in the finals, it's almost certain that the team would win the Stanley Cup within 5 years. The Pittsburgh Penguins, Detroit Red Wings, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Vegas Golden Knights are great examples of this. In the NHL, losing in the finals isn't just a setback—it's often the stepping stone to ultimate victory. So, it takes a loser to win the Stanley Cup. P.S.: I am no hockey expert by any stretch of the imagination if you think my analysis is wrong, please correct me below. -------------------- Image: https://buff.ly/4cGOwKn by Bruce Bennet/Getty Images