Following a successful first year, Hockey Canada is expanding its Western Canadian Development Model (WCDM) pilot for the 2025-26 season, with a focus on roster rules.
Launched in 2024, the WCDM is a partnership between Hockey Canada’s four Western Members, their Junior A leagues, and the WHL. It aims to enhance player development through key areas like player advancement, roster composition, playing standards, and unified messaging.
Last season introduced changes such as more flexibility for younger players and unified rules across leagues. The upcoming season adds five more updates, including:
-
Lowering the number of U.S. players per Junior A team from six to five.
-
Allowing U.S.-born 16- and 17-year-olds signed by WHL teams to join any Western Junior A team.
-
Permitting one out-of-region WHL-listed 16- or 17-year-old per Junior A team, capped at 23 players across the league.
-
Enabling CSSHL players to affiliate with Junior A teams in their school’s province or region.
-
Limiting each team to eight players from non-WCDM provinces.
Hockey Canada says ongoing data analysis will guide further changes to the model in future seasons.
Comments