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 2024-2025 season, NHL draft results, and the flow of committed players to all leagues.
The criteria that was used in rating these four leagues, was how do teams within the leagues compare when developing players who move on to the NHL, NCAA, and Canadian University hockey programs.
Again this is not a historical account of each league but a rating based upon last season alone. We hope this series of articles is informative and promotes a healthy discussion.
1, The Ontario Hockey League.
The OHL had a great showing at the NHL draft last week. With forty one players selected, they lead the three Major Junior Leagues. The level scouting rose dramatically last season with the NCAA rule change allowing Major Junior players access to NCAA programs in 2025. And those NCAA commitments have been coming in regularly since the rule change was announced.
The OHL’s proximatey to NCAA programs allowed for scouts to increase player viewing without blowing scouting budgets. Also playing a role in the OHL taking the lead this year is the flow of American born players who were once committed to the USHL, or were early commits to NCAA programs, now signing in the OHL.
2 The United States Hockey League.
The USHL dropped down one position this year. While leading the NHL draft with forty four players selected, and an additional eight alumni selected, there has been a shift in where many American players who were on the USHL plath are chosing to play. The NCAA rule change allowing Major Junior players access to NCAA hockey has been a drain on American players heading to Major Junior leagues since October 2024.
USHL teams are seeing young American AAA players, and USHL veteran players take opportunities in Canada at an alarming rate. The outflow of young talent is a challenge the USHL will need to face and attempt to correct with continuing to improve the player ammenities and offereings.
3. The Western Hockey League
The WHL had an exceptional showing at the NHL draft with thirty three players selected. Also of note are the growing numbers of NCAA commitments coming from Western Canada. The commitments from the WHL began very quickly after the NCAA rule change, and those numbers continue to grow.
Also of note are the number of American players leaving for the WHL from AAA, Minnesota High School, and the USHL who were previously on the USHL track to NCAA hockey.
4. The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
The QMJHL while having noneteen players selected in the NHL draft, does not have the depth of talent that the other three leagues posses. This is shown in the NHL draft results and the lower numbers NCAA commitments and alumni signing minor pro contracts upon completion of the QMJHL careers.
That said, NCAA commitment numbers are increasing, and several high level American players have left the East Coast for QMJHL opportunities next season which bodes well for the QMJHL moving forward.
Next week we will publish the results of rating Canadian Junior A and Tier II in the United States.
