(NEW) USHL 2026-27 Season Thread

[JMCx4]

Starting off with an even further look into the future (maybe), with S/T to @SemireliableSource ...

West Coast Expansion on the Horizon

Men's Ice Hockey | 6/4/2026 10:00:00 AM

In continuance of the National Hockey League (NHL) and USA Hockey’s expanded collaboration supporting advancement of the Tier I junior hockey development pathway in the United States, the United States Hockey League (USHL) and a group of stakeholders have signed a memorandum of understanding to establish member clubs in Arizona, California, and Nevada.

"This expansion is about more than adding teams. It is about expanding opportunity," said USHL President and Commissioner, Glenn Hefferan. "Together with the NHL and USA Hockey, we have committed ourselves to creating the world's premier environment for player development. Bringing the USHL to the western United States allows more players and families to access that experience while further strengthening a pathway that prepares young athletes for success in hockey, in the classroom, and in life.” ...

"We couldn’t be more excited about the expansion into the West of the USHL. This has been a group effort by multiple parties all with the shared goal of combining our influence to ultimately grow the game of hockey,” said Los Angeles Kings President, Luc Robitaille. “I want to commend Tom Garrity and Ben Robert for their vision and perseverance as well as thank our NHL team partners in Anaheim and San Jose. Similar to the success we saw with American Hockey League (AHL) expansion almost a decade ago, this will create a whole new competitive layer to the western region that will allow junior level players to develop and compete closer to home.” ...

An announcement about member club principals, markets, and timelines will be made on Wednesday, June 24. ...

Read more at:

West Coast Expansion on the Horizon

In continuance of the National Hockey League (NHL) and USA Hockey’s expanded collaboration supporting advancement of the Tier I junior hockey development pathway in the United States, the United States Hockey League (USHL) and a group of stakeholders have signed a memorandum of understanding to...

ushl.com

 

[JMCx4]

This little detail was buried in the USHL West Coast Expansion press release: "An announcement about member club principals, markets, and timelines will be made on Wednesday, June 24." That was the date the 2025-26 regular season's League schedule was released, so odds are the upcoming "announcement" will include a 2026-27 schedule drop ... a key milestone for U-fans like me who are planning to travel to Tier I games this coming season.

 

[GindyDraws]

League Announces Markets, Partners for West Coast Expansion

Backed by Hockey Hall of Famers Luc Robitaille, Joe Sakic, and Teemu Selanne, the United States Hockey League (USHL) has announced the six West Coast markets targeted to launch teams by the 2027-28 season, along with the accompanying partners committed to expanding access to the Tier-I American...

ushl.com

Despite having Nevada on the map, none of the markets are in the Silver State.

*San Diego
*Orange County
*Simi Valley
*"Northern California"
*Prescott Valley
*Phoenix

 

[JMCx4]

... Despite having Nevada on the map, none of the markets are in the Silver State. ...

Which map?

 

[Brodeur]

Curious which rink they'll run the San Diego team out of, maybe the Gulls practice rink in Poway? That'd probably be the most convenient one for me to check out games.

 

[GindyDraws]

Which map?

The map on the original news article you posted in this thread. The one that said "In continuance of the National Hockey League (NHL) and USA Hockey’s expanded collaboration supporting advancement of the Tier I junior hockey development pathway in the United States, the United States Hockey League (USHL) and a group of stakeholders have signed a memorandum of understanding to establish member clubs in Arizona, California, and Nevada."

 

[JMCx4]

Maybe the USHL & Fed-West will share league office space somewhere Off-Strip.

 

[JMCx4]

Curious which rink they'll run the San Diego team out of, maybe the Gulls practice rink in Poway? That'd probably be the most convenient one for me to check out games.

Well, by all means then, you are hereby authorized to claim The USHL West-SD #1 Season Ticket Holder title! Make haste to Poway to be first in line at the box office, so you can snag primo seats.

 

[Slowdive]

Well, by all means then, you are hereby authorized to claim The USHL West-SD #1 Season Ticket Holder title! Make haste to Poway to be first in line at the box office, so you can snag primo seats.

Last time I was there, there are no seats in Poway.

 

[JMCx4]

Last time I was there, there are no seats in Poway.

I guess @Brodeur will be The USHL West-SD #1 Season Recliner Holder, then.

P.S. - BYOR (Bring Your Own Recliner). Certainly more comfy than the minimally padded stadium seats that me 'n' Mrs. JMC drag around to bleacher-equipped hockey arenas.

 

[JMCx4]

In other news ...

League Announces Schedule for 25th Anniversary Season
Men's Ice Hockey | 6/23/2026 10:00:00 AM

2026-27 SCHEDULE

The United States Hockey League (USHL) has unveiled the schedule for the 2026-27 regular season, which will mark the USHL’s 25th season as USA Hockey’s only Tier-I junior league. All 16 USHL teams will play a 62-game, cross-conference schedule beginning with each team playing two games at the 11th annual USHL Fall Classic, which will run from Wednesday, Sept. 16 through Sunday, Sept. 20, in Chicago, Ill. The season will conclude with every team in action on Saturday, April 3, 2027. ...

Read more at: https://ushl.com/news/2026/6/23/mens-ice-hockey-ushl-announces-2026-27-schedule.aspx

 

[JMCx4]

On the annual "Keeping the Dream Alive" subtopic for USHL draftees ... League Tabs 44 Selections in 2026 NHL Draft

 

[JMCx4]

From the City of Simi Valley, CA's News List, a look forward in USHL-West expansion plans ...

U.S. Hockey League Selects Simi Valley for a New Franchise
Post Date:06/24/2026 3:30 p.m.

The City of Simi Valley welcomes today's announcement by the United States Hockey League (USHL), the nation's only Tier I junior hockey league, naming Simi Valley as one of six West Coast markets targeted to launch a USHL franchise by the 2027-28 season.

The announcement introduces a new USHL franchise that will bring elite junior hockey to Simi Valley while serving as an anchor for a proposed sports and entertainment destination. Stakeholders have outlined a vision for a venue that would include a hockey arena that would also host concerts, entertainment events, and other community gatherings. The space has the potential to become a regional destination for sports, entertainment, and tourism, attracting visitors from throughout Southern California while creating new recreational and economic opportunities for the community. ...

As venues continue to be considered throughout the Simi Valley region, additional information regarding the hockey team, development location and discussion, potential community partnerships, and future opportunities will become available in the months ahead. ...

Read more at: https://www.simivalley.org/Home/Components/News/News/7072/966