Does Canada have its own hockey league?

Question

I know that Canada is apart of the NHL, but do they have their own league?

Answer 1

There are no professional leagues operating entirely in Canada.

'Professional' means make a living at it (and pays taxes).

The WHL, OHL, and QMJHL are NOT professional leagues. The players are NOT paid to play. Players receive a non-taxable food allowance of $15-$24/day. The family they stay with while playing receives an allowance to compensate while the player is there, but the player does NOT receive any money.

For every year that a player completes a set number of games (and I'm not looking it up now), the player receives money in trust equal to the average cost of 1 yrs tuition in that province/state. This money becomes available once their junior eligibility runs out.

There are several 'seniors' leagues across the country for players aged 21 and older where teams compete for the Allan Cup (the Allan Cup is played for by amateurs aged 21 and up, the Stanley Cup is played for by professionals ages 18 yrs, 15 days and up.


PuckDat, were they paid to play though?

Answer 2

"The NHL does not respect Canadians passion in the sport." Incorrect. They do, that's why you guys have seven teams. They could just as easily have all 30 teams in the U.S.. "The most profitable teams are Canadian." Incorrect as well. While Toronto and Montreal occupy positions #1 and #3 respectively, the other three teams in the top five are NY Rangers, Detroit Red Wings and Boston Bruins. In fact only two other Canadian teams even occupy the top 15, Vancouver and Calgary. "The Stanley cup was originally supposed to be awarded to the best CANADIAN amateur team which means Lord Stanley's wishes have not been respected in 18 years." You are correct, and incorrect on this one. While the Stanley Cup was originally intended to be awarded to the best amateur team in Canada, it has been much longer than 18 years since a Canadian amateur team won the Cup. Not since 1909 has an amateur team won the Cup. In fact, when the Cup was first awarded, the sport of hockey was only played in Montreal and Ottawa. Hockey outside of those places was unheard of, because it had never reached there yet. There was no assumption or even an idea that it would become as huge as it is today. Edit: Also, professional sports in the world are no longer about who loves the sport the most, it is all about the money. And while the citizens of Brandon, Manitoba and Stouffville, Ontario would love an NHL team, there is no way that they could financially support one. Seven is the max that Canada can economically support. I don't care what The Sun wrote a few months back about being able to support twelve. It just can't work.

Answer 3

There are also Senior leagues in Canada besides the junior previously mentioned. They play in more local areas and eventually can work their way to a national championship for which the winner receives the Allen Cup. Frequently, exNHLers end up playing in these league. It's considered semi-pro and the players usually have other jobs.

Like I'm Telling You - not sure about amateur status you refer to for Seniors - I know Gerry Gray, Jack Egers, Bill Gratton (father of current NHLer Chris) and Wayne Chrysler plus a couple others suited up for the Brantford Alexander's two straight Allen Cups in 77 and 78.

Yup, back then it was like 50 bucks a game but more likely one of the team sponsors gave them a job to fill in the gap. Except for Gray, his family has had a huge multiple location business for years.

Answer 4

There's the Quebec Major Junior League, Ontario Hockey League, and the Western Hockey League. I think I'm missing one more though, but those are the professional leagues in Canada.

Answer 5

Loads of them from Major Junior on down (albeit each of the WHL, OHL and QMJHL has US teams so maybe there goes that theory). Here in North America, other than football and the lame MLS, the leagues are not just in the US or Canada for pro sports.

Answer 6

None of the aforementioned are professional leagues but there are some semi- pro leagues. CHL is junior hockey, not professional. Mostly fight leagues. Georges Laroque's brother played in one here last year. Jules-Edy Laraque, also a cop here.
Most Canadians not good enough for the NHL but good enough for pro play abroad in Swiss and German leagues.

Answer 7

There are more hockey leagues in Canada than you can shake a stick at!

Answer 8

The CHL includes the QMJHL, the WHL and the OHL and they are a professional league. (just not the big money thats involved with the NHL). Just because they are called 'Juniors' doesn't mean that they can't play and don't get paid.

Only washed up vets or players who figure that they can't make the NHL go to Europe (with a few possible exceptions).

Anyway the question wasn't about 'pro leagues' it was about Canadian leagues.

Answer 9

only the lower area of canada is in the nhl

Answer 10

yes wat eighty said is right...but all those leagues r just leagues for the younger players /draftees to play in while they mature be4 they r good enough to paly for a NHL team...but nevertheless....they r the leagues from Canada