The Canadian Hockey League is an umbrella organization for three Canadian Major Junior "A" Tier I hockey leagues for players of 15 to 20 years of age. The three member leagues are:

• the Western Hockey League, with teams in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Washington, and Oregon.
• the Ontario Hockey League, with teams in Ontario, Michigan, and Pennsylvania
• the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, with teams in Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Maine. In 2005-06 the league will expand to Newfoundland and Labrador.

Altogether the league comprises 56 teams in 9 (and soon all 10) Canadian provinces and 5 American states. For lists of teams see the articles about each member league.

The CHL awards the Memorial Cup to the Canadian junior hockey champion (the American members also compete for this trophy). It is the chief development league for the National Hockey League. More than half the players in the National Hockey League for the 2002-2003 season had played in the CHL.

Attendance

Top CHL teams by average attendance, 2004-05 regular season

1. Calgary Hitmen (WHL) 10,061.9
2. Ottawa 67's (OHL) 9,236.5
3. London Knights (OHL) 9,038.1
4. Vancouver Giants (WHL) 8,400.6
5. Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL) 7,816.0
6. Quebec Remparts (QMJHL) 6,918.7
7. Everett Silvertips (WHL) 6,332.2
8. Spokane Chiefs (WHL) 6,250.1
9. Kelowna Rockets (WHL) 6,149.5
10. Red Deer Rebels (WHL) 6,036.4
11. Kitchener Rangers (OHL) 5,911.3
12. Portland Winterhawks (WHL) 5,859.8
13. Saskatoon Blades (WHL) 5,133.1

Other Hockey Levels

• Midget Hockey
• Bantam Hockey

External link

• Canadian Hockey League Official Website