I want to remind all readers that this series of articles rating the junior hockey leagues in North America is based upon independent opinions and analysis of scouts throughout the United States and Canada.
This rating is based upon the 2015-2016 season and nothing more. A leagues history does not come into account in any way. Again, this is not a statement on the level of play in a league. It is a statement on development of players and how hard those leagues work to move players up to higher levels.
The criteria that was used in rating these eleven leagues, was how do teams within the leagues compare when developing players who move on to the NHL, NCAA, Canadian University, USHL, NAHL, Canada Junior A and Major Junior hockey programs. The size of the league as in number of teams was also taken into account for depth of player talent throughout the league. The level of promotion of commitments was also taken into account for this particular rating.
- The United States Hockey League
2. The Ontario Hockey League
3. The Western Hockey League
4. North American Hockey League
5. British Columbia Hockey League
6. The Quebec Major Junior League
7. Ontario Junior Hockey League
8. Eastern Hockey League
9. Central Canadian Hockey League
10. USPHL – Premier
11. Alberta Junior Hockey League
12. Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League
13. NA3HL
14. USPHL – Elite
15. Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League
16. Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League
17. Western States Hockey League
18. Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League
19. CCHL2
20. Kootenay International Junior Hockey League
This concludes our rankings for 2016. Next week we will resume our scheduled Black List.
