USHL CHL Should They Join

[mr dad bod]

Was wondering if anyone knows the ins and outs on the differences between the USHL and the CHL member leagues (OHL, WHL, QMJHL). I know that the CHL's main purpose has always been to promote players for draft to the NHL level, and that the USHL generally was looked at as the highest tier 2 league, promoting some of their players to pro, but most to the NCAA div 1 level.

Now that the CHL players are allowed to commit to playing NCAA div 1 hockey, seemingly at any point during their CHL career without penalty, it seems as though there are now more similarities between the USHL and CHL than ever before. They draw similar crowds, have similar - though CHL most likely has higher caliber - players, in similar age ranges, all with similar goals, promoting players to pro and NCAA.

My question is this: Would it not be beneficial, from a growth and competition perspective, for the two leagues to merge at this point, adding a USHL participant to the Memorial Cup each year? Is it just because the USHL would not be willing to pay their players the stipends that CHL players are given? Maybe I am just missing the complexities, someone enlighten me.

 

[Nanabijou]

A big issue is that CHL is Hockey Canada and USHL is USA Hockey. With the crown jewel of USA Hockey, the USNDTP, being part of the USHL, you'd have to get the two national organizations to play nice and come up with some sort of agreement. That's what likely should happen now, but not sure the brass on each side would be able to figure things out together.

 

[mr dad bod]

A big issue is that CHL is Hockey Canada and USHL is USA Hockey. With the crown jewel of USA Hockey, the USNDTP, being part of the USHL, you'd have to get the two national organizations to play nice and come up with some sort of agreement. That's what likely should happen now, but not sure the brass on each side would be able to figure things out together.

See, perfect point, I didn't even consider the governing bodies. That seems like a huge stumbling block. Has there ever been any news on either organization broaching the topic with the other?

 

[Nanabijou]

Well, Youngstown and Muskegon asked to leave USHL for OHL next year, resulting in USA Hockey saying "No". Latest news is that those organizations have lawyered up to fight it, but now that it will be left to the lawyers likely won't happen until 2026-27 at the earliest, if at all. The fact that lawyers are involved already tells us all that USA Hockey and Hockey Canada likely won't come to an amicable collaboration.