Hockey Canada and multiple different junior hockey leagues across Western Canada have joined forces to help streamline the development of young players.
The pilot project will see BC Hockey, Hockey Alberta, Hockey Saskatchewan, Hockey Manitoba, the Western Hockey League and Jr. A leagues across the provinces adopt rules similar to that of the WHL. The BCHL, which broke apart from Hockey Canada in recent years, will not be a part of the agreement.
In the agreement, Daily Faceoff’s Steven Ellis highlights, teams can have up to nine 15-year-old affiliates.
“Players taken in the previous WHL Draft (can) play up to 10 games during the season, a move from the usual number of five,” he wrote. “Teams can have up to two APs in a lineup at any time if they can not have a full roster of 20 players, up from one.”
A 16-year-old player linked to a Jr. A, CSSHL or AAA u18 team can play up to 15 games as an affiliate.
“By increasing flexibility for junior hockey players and families in Western Canada, we anticipate that we will see higher quality competition on the ice, all the way up to the National Team level when Canada is competing internationally in the years to come,” said Pat McLaughlin, chief operating officer and executive vice-president of strategy for Hockey Canada in a statement.
Cameron Hope, CEO of BC Hockey, called the move an exciting step.
“Establishing this pilot project is a very important part of the exciting steps being taken to evolve our junior hockey pathways in Western Canada, and the initiative will provide our players with even more opportunity and flexibility in their development,” he said in a statement. “We look forward to the coming season and working together with our Junior A leagues, the WHL and Hockey Canada to ensure the sanctioned junior hockey system continues to strengthen and flourish in our Branch and beyond.”
The project, Hockey Canada says, will be monitored and reviewed throughout the year, and that it ” is anticipated that its scope will expand in future seasons.”
Tij Iginla signs entry-level contract
The Utah Hockey Club has signed top prospect Tij Iginla to an entry-level contract, the club announced Thursday.
In June’s draft, Iginla became the first draft pick in franchise history, being selected sixth overall. He finished up his second full season of hockey in the Western Hockey League this season, scoring 47 goals and 84 points in 64 games for the Kelowna Rockets, adding another six goals and 12 points in seven games for Canada’s u18 team, helping win them win a gold medal.
And while Iginla has traits his father, Jarome did, he’s on track to be “one heck of a player,” Daily Faceoff’s Steven Ellis said.
Score, score and score some more. That’s what he does best. Iginla is a solid distributor, don’t get me wrong. But with the puck on his stick, he’s a dangerous generator. He plays with good pace, and while he isn’t big, he’s physically strong. There’s top-six potential here for a guy who loves controlling the pace of play. It doesn’t hurt having his family’s pedigree, either. I know some really think he could go in the top five of the NHL Draft, but I don’t know if I see as much true star upside as some others. Regardless, he’ll be one heck of a player.
Zach Laing is the Nation Network’s news director and senior columnist. He can be followed on Twitter at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach@thenationnetwork.com.
THE NOTEBOOK IS PRESENTED BY BETWAY
Be sure to check out the latest NHL odds with online sportsbook Betway.
