People of all ages can enjoy playing hockey, but it is most popular among the younger set. The sport is a great way for kids to stay active and social while having fun with their friends. However, for those who want to continue playing in the sport, there are different leagues and options available based on their age. Knowing which one is best for you can help settle on a strategy for your child’s hockey development.
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What Is The Most Popular Junior Hockey League?’
Based on popularity, the most followed junior hockey league is the Ontario Minor Hockey League. This league was founded in 1913 and is one of the largest in North America. The next three most followed leagues are the British Columbia Hockey League, the Western Hockey League, and the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. These four leagues cover most of the major junior hockey leagues in North America.
Even though these are the most followed leagues, they are not necessarily the best. Each one has something great to offer and understanding the differences between them can help guide your decision on which one is the right fit for your child. Let’s explore the differences between them.
The Ontario Minor Hockey League
The Ontario Minor Hockey League has an open ice policy, which means that even though the season is over, the action continues. This league allows for more games and allows for the play to continue through the winter. It also allows for more opportunities for the players as there are often public skating sessions during the week that the teams don’t play. One of the great things about this league is that it is a very stable league. This means that it has had the same commissioner since 1985 and the same office bearers since its founding. As well, there have only been 12 teams that have ever left the league. This suggests a well-oiled infrastructure that promotes continuity. Finally, the majority of its teams are located in Ontario, Canada, one of the most populated provinces in the country. This means that there is a wide demographic of potential fans.
The British Columbia Hockey League
The British Columbia Hockey League is, in fact, the youngest of the four leagues we’ve discussed so far. It is also the second smallest league in terms of the number of teams that it has, only having nine teams at the moment. This means that there aren’t many games per week and, thus, less travel. For the most part, the teams in this league are located in British Columbia. As well, the league itself was founded in 1911 and incorporated in 1922. Its first commissioner was elected in 1924 and, since then, there have only been two others. This suggests a certain level of maturity as the sport itself is over 100 years old. Finally, an interesting tidbit about this league is that it doesn’t just have nine teams, but it was also home to the first-ever NHL team captain to be born in the 20th century. His name was Frank Nighbor, but he never played a game in the NHL. Nevertheless, he is the all-time leading goal scorer in BC Hockey League history with 186 goals in just 167 games played. This makes him not only the all-time leading scorer, but also the all-time leader in terms of complete games, tied with 135 games played. The point is that even though this is a small league, it has a lot of history behind it. There are also plenty of opportunities for players to develop their skills in this league. For instance, two of the teams are currently coached by former NHL players and two more have past NHL players on their coaching staffs. This alone speaks to the quality of coaching in this league. In terms of equipment, the minimum uniform set is pretty standard and consists of a shirt, tie, and sweater. As well, the equipment bag is a small one, but it is big enough for all the uniforms and the necessary pucks, sticks, and cleats. The arena in this league is called the DEC, short for the Delta Cup, and it is located in a major urban center. This particular arena has a capacity of 2,500 and its doors open at 5 p.m. On the surface, the British Columbia Hockey League looks like a solid option for players looking to continue their hockey careers. Its teams are relatively close to one another, which means that travel is minimized and there is ample opportunity for players to develop their skills. Finally, there is a decent level of coaching available in this league, which provides for a more organized and professional atmosphere.
The Western Hockey League
The Western Hockey League is one of the older of the four leagues, being founded in 1906 and incorporated in 1910. This means that it has a lot of history behind it. It is also, at least on the surface, one of the most geographically diverse leagues with teams located in Canada, the United States, and even one in Europe. Some of the teams in this league have been around for a while and have already had their share of memorable moments. For example, the Seattle Thunderbirds were once known as the Seattle Millionaires. This was back in the days when they were a member of the WHL. They won the Turner Cup seven times in 11 years, which is the equivalent of winning the Stanley Cup seven times in 11 years. This speaks to the depth of the league itself. There is also the potential for a lot of rivalries with some of the teams in this league having had some memorable games against each other over the years. This is partly because of the increased geographic diversity that this league affords and partly because of the quality of the teams themselves. One interesting tidbit about the Western Hockey League is that it is fully sponsored by an alcohol company. This means that the teams get some financial support from a company that makes alcoholic beverages. Nevertheless, this isn’t necessarily a negative as the money from this sponsorship helps fund a great deal of the league’s activities. Finally, the minimum uniform set in this league includes a shirt, tie, and sweater. The equipment bag, however, is quite large and can accommodate most of what a player might need for a game. The arena in this league is called the Fischler Ice Palace and it holds 7,500 spectators. This particular arena opened its doors for the first time in 1923 and has been a part of the WHL since its inception.
The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League is the oldest of the four leagues and was founded in 1917. This makes it the equivalent of having 124 years under its belt. It is also, perhaps, the most diverse league in terms of the number of its teams that represent different parts of Canada and even the United States. This isn’t counting the American Hockey League teams that the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League teams share ice with, either. The minimum uniform set in this league is quite similar to that of the WHL. The shirt, tie, and sweater make up the majority of the uniform set. The equipment bag is also quite large and can handle all of a player’s gear. The arena in this league is called the Colisée Pepsi and it opened its doors for the first time back in 1967. Since then, it has continually been upgraded and includes the latest in technology, including video boards and ice-making machines. This particular arena’s capacity is 11,600 spectators and it is one of the premier places to play hockey in Canada. This is also due, in part, to the fact that it is the home of the Remparts de Charlevoix team. The point is that the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League offers players a diverse set of options when it comes to locations and travel, which provides for increased exposure and a greater opportunity to establish career goals. Finally, this league is the only one of the four that is not tied to a specific country. For example, the Montreal Junior Classics and the Saguenéens both represent Canada, but they are tied to the federal government and not the province of Quebec. This provides for better opportunities for players to get noticed by scouts and, subsequently, make the jump to the professional level. This is important because it means more money, more responsibility, and more exposure, all of which can help a player establish a successful career in hockey.