Papa Johns Canada and the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) are proud to launch “Champions of Tomorrow” — a new national initiative designed to support and celebrate Canada’s next generation of hockey players, on and off the ice. At the centre of the program is the $25,000 Champions of Tomorrow Scholarship, awarded to one youth hockey player who embodies leadership, perseverance, and community spirit — including a VIP trip for two to Championship Weekend at the 2026 Memorial Cup presented by Kubota in Kelowna, where they’ll be recognized on junior hockey’s biggest stage. The program also includes a fundraising component running Jan. 6 through June 30, 2026: Papa Johns will donate $1 for every $35+ order placed using the promo code CHLCHAMPS (up to $100,000). Funds will support the scholarship first, with remaining contributions directed to provincial youth hockey initiatives across Canada — helping improve access to equipment, development opportunities, and community programming. Nominations are open now through March 31, 2026: contests.chl.ca/papajohns READ MORE: https://lnkd.in/gdKbY2cF #CHL #PapaJohns #ChampionsOfTomorrow #Hockey #MinorHockey #Community #Scholarship #MemorialCup #Education

On Monday Night in Saint Paul, Minnesota, the CHL’s footprint was on full display at the 2026 World Juniors. 🌍🏒 41 past & present from the Western Hockey League (WHL), Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) players captured medals at the 2026 International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Junior Championship, including: 🥈 Czechia — a record 17 CHL players earned silver 🥉 Canada — backed by 24 past & present CHL players, won bronze At the tournament level, the CHL once again set the standard: ✅ 79 past & present CHL players competed — matching the CHL’s all-time World Juniors record (first set in 2013) ✅ 65 active CHL players skated in the WHL/OHL/QMJHL — 25%+ of the tournament player pool ✅ 45 of 61 CHL clubs were represented READ MORE: https://lnkd.in/gvasEGbX #CHL #WorldJuniors #IIHF #WHL #OHL #QMJHL #Hockey

Today, the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) is mourning the passing of former CHL President and longtime Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Commissioner David Branch, who died Sunday at the age of 77. David served as President of the CHL from 1996–2019 and spent 45 years as Commissioner of the OHL (1979 until his retirement in the summer of 2024) — helping shape the modern landscape of major junior hockey in Canada and strengthening the CHL’s commitment to elite development, on the ice and off it. His leadership elevated the player experience through a lasting focus on education, player welfare, and safety, while helping ensure the CHL remained the world’s premier development league for young talent. As CHL President Dan MacKenzie shared: “The CHL would not be the top development hockey league in the world without David Branch.” David’s impact will be felt for generations across our leagues, clubs, and communities — and in the lives of the countless players who benefited from his vision and care. The CHL extends its deepest condolences to David’s family and loved ones. #CHL #Hockey #JuniorHockey #PlayerDevelopment #Scholarship #HockeyCommunity #OHL https://lnkd.in/gFjSkCzp Western Hockey League (WHL) | Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)

21 alumni from across the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) headline Canada’s Men’s Hockey Team for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games. With today’s roster unveiling by Hockey Canada, nearly 85% of Team Canada’s Milano Cortina 2026 lineup (21 of 25 players) features graduates of the Western Hockey League (WHL), Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) — reinforcing the CHL’s role as the premier pathway to hockey’s biggest stage. Quick hits: • Member League breakdown: OHL (9) | WHL (9) | QMJHL (3) • By position: 13F / 5D / 3G with WHL/OHL/QMJHL roots • 19 CHL clubs represented (seven clubs with two players each) • 13 first-round National Hockey League (NHL) picks, including three No. 1 selections (Crosby, MacKinnon, McDavid) • Championship pedigree: Three (3) Memorial Cup champions (Cirelli, MacKinnon & Marner) and 11 Member League champions (WHL/OHL/QMJHL) • Olympic gold medallists: Sidney Crosby & Drew Doughty (2010, 2014) https://lnkd.in/gmgKRcnz International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) | Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026 #CHL #WHL #OHL #QMJHL #TeamCanada #MilanoCortina2026 #Olympics #HockeyCanada

CHL 2025 Wrapped 📊🏒 The numbers tell the story — and the impact goes well beyond the ice. In 2025, the Western Hockey League (WHL), Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) continued to show why the CHL remains the world’s premier development league and the leading pathway to the National Hockey League (NHL). A few highlights from the year include: • 2025 World Juniors (Jan.): 63 CHL players competed, 22 earned medals • Scholarships (Mar.): 975 CHL graduates enrolled in post-secondary, $7.68M+ in scholarships awarded • Attendance in 2024-25 (Mar.): 7.9M+ total fans & the highest average since 2015-16 • NHL Central Scouting (Apr.): record 170 CHL players ranked • 2025 U18 Worlds (May): 25 CHL players won gold with Hockey Canada • 2025 Memorial Cup (June): London Knights captured their third Memorial Cup title • 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs (June): 200+ CHL alumni participated, with 10 CHL alumni crowned champions • 2025 NHL Draft (June): 90 CHL players selected, including 21 first-rounders • Opening Night (Oct.): 402 CHL alumni on NHL Opening Night rosters • 2025 CHL USA Prospects Challenge (Nov.): Team CHL featured 14 “A”-rated CHL players • 2026 World Juniors (Dec.): record-tying 79 past & present CHL players competing A huge thank you to our players, clubs, Member Leagues, partners, and — most importantly — our fans for another unforgettable year. Onward to the final stretch of CHL 50 in the first half of the year — and an exciting 2026. #CHL #WHL #OHL #QMJHL #Hockey #NHL #WorldJuniors #MemorialCup #NHLDraft #PlayerDevelopment

79 past & present Canadian Hockey League (CHL) players are taking part in the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship — matching the CHL’s all-time record first set in 2013. Of those 79, 65 are active CHL players across the Western Hockey League (WHL), Ontario Hockey League (OHL), Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) — representing 25%+ of the tournament’s player pool and the highest total of any development league worldwide. A few quick storylines from the release: • The CHL is represented across at least nine of 10 countries at the tournament • Canada leads with 24 past & present CHL players (95+% of the roster) • Czechia features a record 17 CHL players • 45 of 61 CHL clubs are represented — led by the Brantford Bulldogs Hockey Club (5) See the full list and read more about the 2026 World Juniors here: https://lnkd.in/g74Tbywy #WorldJuniors #CHL #WHL #OHL #QMJHL #HockeyCanada #IIHF Hockey Canada | International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) | TSN - The Sports Network - Canada | RDS | Réseau des sports

MARK YOUR CALENDARS! 🗓️ The inaugural #WHLProspectsGame presented by Showpass is coming to the Langley Events Centre on February 18, 2026! See the next wave of stars ahead of the 2026 #NHLDraft! 📝 | t.co/mGlnROsE5T

Big day on the road to the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship. Hockey Canada has unveiled its National Junior Team training camp roster — and 26 of the 27 players invited are past or present CHL players, developed by our clubs across the Western Hockey League (WHL), Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). From this group: ➡️ 19 are NHL first-round picks ➡️ 6 CHL-developed players who have already played in the NHL (Brunicke, Cootes, Luchanko, Martin, Misa, Parekh) ➡️ 7 players have already won a Memorial Cup and/or league title in the WHL, OHL, or QMJHL ➡️ 19 players have previously won gold for Team Canada at the U17, U18, or Hlinka Gretzky Cup level It’s a great reflection of the work being done every day in WHL, OHL, and QMJHL markets to develop players, people, and future pros — and it’s always special to see that pathway come into focus on the World Juniors stage. 📍 Camp runs Dec. 12–22 in Niagara Falls, with pre-tournament games vs. Sweden (Kitchener & London) and Denmark (Mankato) before the tournament opens on Boxing Day in Minneapolis and St. Paul. You can read the full release and complete list of CHL players and staff here: https://lnkd.in/gTa3KSGy International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) | TSN - The Sports Network - Canada | RDS | Réseau des sports

The Western Hockey League is hiring for the role of WHL Manager, Content Production & Creative Services. Are you excited by the thrill of creating unique and engaging content, including live events video production and graphic design? If so, this just might be the role for you. Come join the WHL Communications department and help us take Content Production, Video Services, and Creative to the next level in the world's premiere development league for junior hockey players. DETAILS 💼 | tinyurl.com/WHLCREATIVE