By Trevor Grimm

Could the USHL become the fourth CHL league?

According to Kevin Dubé of Le Journal du Québec, the topic was discussed at length during a recent summit between representatives from the NHL, the CHL, and the USHL.

It’s no secret the USHL’s unique status as the top junior hockey league that maintained college eligibility for its players disappeared when CHL players became college eligible roughly year ago.

Since then, top NHL prospects such as Connor Casey and Nikita Klepov have left the USHL in favor of the higher profile CHL, which is comprised of the WHL, OHL, and QMJHL. That doesn’t take into account many high Phase I picks that opted for the CHL route.

Dubé reports there is mutual interest in both the CHL and USHL for this to happen, but there are logistical issues to overcome.

The CHL is more powerful, more well known, and has 61 teams spread over three leagues. In other words, the USHL would have to be the one to adapt.

Adapting would likely mean meeting CHL standards for operating budget, scholarships, and arena standards. In addition, it would almost certainly mean a 68-game season and best-of-seven series in every round, culminating with the playoff champion heading to the Memorial Cup.

Fans would have to accept more weeknight games to accommodate the extra games - something that isn’t an issue in Canada or in many parts of the U.S., but often is in the Midwest.

NHL second-in-command Bill Daly is quoted by Dubé as saying for the CHL, this is a matter of players leaving early for college, but for the USHL, this is a matter of survival. Daly added that elite junior hockey in the U.S. is important, and they hope to find a solution.

Dubé also posted a graphic on X that shows USHL Properties, using a Des Moines address, applied for a trademark for the name National Junior Hockey League and NJHL.