The criteria that was used in rating these leagues, was how do teams within the leagues compare when developing players who move on to the NHL, NCAA, USHL, NAHL, NCDC and other free to play Tier II leagues.
1 A. Eastern Hockey League
The EHL, is the leader in direct to NCAA D-2 and D-3 hockey commitments at the pay to play level. No other pay to play league does the volume of NCAA commitments that the EHL does. As a point of reference, the EHL beat all of the Canadian pay to play leagues combined when it comes to commitments for college. Yes, every league combined in Canada doesnt even come close to the commitment numbers.
1 B. USPHL Premier
The USPHL, is the benchmark in North America for moving players to free to play hockey in the NCDC, NAHL and USHL. This is the only league that actually promotes players to free to play as they say they will. When you combine this with the fact that it is also sending tremendous amounts of players to NCAA D3 directly you know why the league continues to grow. The number of free to play players coming out of the USPHL Premier increases every year and is a testament to great coaching. On top of this the USPHL Premier produces over one hundred NCAA commitments every year, making it the dual development option chosen most by players.
3. NA3HL
The NA3HL trails far behind the EHL and USPHL Premier by its NCAA commitment numbers. But it is a league still outpacing pay to play options in Canada. Largely a league for ACHA level players, the NA3HL is taking a more proactive approach to moving players up to the NAHL than it has in recent years.
4. OJHL
The OJHL leads all of the Canadian pay to play leagues when it comes to player development and upward mobility. Still producing some D1 and D3 commitments, they are moving more players on to the the CHL as well. The OJHL looks like it has embraced the be anything they can be role to help move players along.
5. CCHL
The CCHL is still moving players along to some NCAA opportunities, and some Canaidna Universities. Since the CCHL became a pay to play league, and immediately after abandoning the pay to play cap of $4000 a year, commitment numbers have dropped off predictably and steadily.
6. NOJHL
The NOJHL is still doing a very good job at preparing young players for the CHL, while adding some NCAA commitments along the way. It has largely become a great place for high end ACHA programs to recruit, and they are embracing this role.
7. GMHL
The GMHL has done a lot of heavy lifting over the last few years. Bad owners out, standards and rule enforcement in. These changes have raised the level of play, and the level of operators. The GMHL is slowly becoming a development opportunity for those players looking to go to Europe or while waiting to play in Canadian Universities. A league to watch as it continues to evolve.
8. SIJHL
The SIJHL is small, and remote. But it is still producing and developing some good NCAA D3 players and a lot of ACHA players. This trend will likely continue as the league adapts to the ever changing landscape of junior hockey.
9. USPHL – Elite
The USPHL Elite is a solid development platform for the USPHL Premier, and NCDC. Not by design but by necessity it is younger than the Premier division. For those younger players or those who want junior hockey but are not satisfied with their AAA options, the USPHL Elite has become a destination.
10. EHLP
The EHLP, the second division under the EHL is an option for players who may not have local AAA programs, or for those looking for a more inexpensive option to AAA. Younger and less experienced, EHLP players are seeing some players moved up to the EHL.
11. KIJHL
The KIJHL has some very good players. Unfortunately no one ever see’s them. The league is simply too far away from scouts for anyone to spend the time and money to go and watch when there are other options closer to home. Pay to play hockey is not Tier II hockey, no matter what label you give yourself, development is the only measure of success.
12. PJHL
The PJHL, is no different than the KIJHL in regard to scouting. The talent level is lower than the KIJHL though.
13. NJHL
The NJHL makes the list now because they are actually moving players on the ACHA, and NJCAA programs. A few alumni have gotten looks in minor pro in Europe as well.
14. VIJHL
The VIJHL is only relevant to the BCHL as a place to stash players who might be needed due to injury. Not a place to be seen.
Next week we will publish our top Canadian Junior B ranking.
