The Canadian Championship Hockey League (CCHL) was founded in 2013 and is the brainchild of Dale Marshall, who wanted to create a home for minor hockey players in Calgary, Alberta.
A product of the NHL’s new wave of expansion, the CCHL currently includes teams in Calgary, Edmonton, and Vancouver with one that will join the league in the future. Playing in an outdoor rink, home games are usually at night so that you can enjoy the beauty of the sky and bright stars.
The league allows minor hockey players to develop their skills through a structured schedule that includes both home and road games. Each team’s roster consists of between four and seven players who are between the ages of 15 and 17. With only one import per team allowed, the CCHL prioritizes local commitment and development. A full season in the CCHL takes place between October and March.
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How Does The CCHL Work?
Each team’s general manager hires a head coach, who, in turn, hires a manager to run the team. The head coach and manager are responsible for putting together a team of up to seven players that can play at least 40 games. The team plays a total of 40 games, with 20 home games and 20 away games. The number of home wins versus the number of away games decides the winner of the overall championship.
All teams practice three times a week and play one game every two weeks. The season kicks off in October and games continue until March, when the final standings are determined. In total, the CCHL offers a season that includes over 200 games.
Image courtesy of NHL.
Key Facts About The CCHL
The CCHL is affiliated with the Western Hockey League (WHL), which has 12 teams that play in Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan. Several players from the WHL also participate in the annual Memorial Cup Tournament, which is held each spring. The WHL and CCHL share a scouting network and combine their minor hockey player rankings to create the Max Pacioretty Memorial Ranking.
Last but not least, every two years the WHL, CCHL, and Alberta Federation of Minorties (AFL) combine to host the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) Championship, which highlights the best young talent in the country. The 2019 CJHL Championship will be held this coming May in Edmonton and Calgary.
Watch The International Ice Hockey Festival
This coming winter holiday season, you can experience the majesty of competitive ice hockey played by national teams from around the world. One of the biggest events that will span the holiday season is the International Ice Hockey Festival, which will run for 12 days and include competitions in both indoor and outdoor rinks.
The Festival will include the 2022 IIHF World Championship, which will be the 69th annual edition and the last major international competition held before the end of the summer season. This year’s world championship tournament in Bratislava, Slovakia, will pit eight teams against one another, featuring teams from Russia, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Canada, and the United States.
The outdoor rink at the Calgary Stampede will play host to the opening and closing ceremonies and feature a showcase of local talent in between the games. For complete information on the 2022 international hockey festival, visit the website of the Calgary International Hockey Festival.
Will The CCHL Survive Thrid Year?
Looking to the future, it’s tough to predict the CCHL’s success since its inception. The new minor hockey league has already had a successful first season and, hopefully, many more to come.
With the right marketing strategy and by following the model set by the Calgary Canucks and Edmonton Oil Kings, the future of the CCHL looks promising.