Western Canadian Hockey Development program expanding in 2nd year

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This article was published 30/06/2025 (328 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Changes to how Western Canadian junior hockey teams can add players are continuing this year.

Teams and leagues across the West signed on to the Western Canadian Development Model (WCDM) last season, streamlining rules across the region.

Last season saw increased flexibility for 15/16-year-olds, allowing half-face shields and ensuring the rules stay the same between the Western Hockey League and junior A.

Five new changes are coming this season, with more flexibility offered for out-of-province Canadian players.

While the number of U.S.-born players a team can have on their roster is dropping from six to five, 16 or 17-year-olds from outside the team’s home province and have been drafted by a WHL team will be eligible to play for their junior A program of choice. Only one player from each WHL team is allowed to do this.

Players from out of province who play for an elite hockey academy in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League will now be able to play on junior A teams as an affiliate player.

“Throughout the WCDM pilot project, the four Western member (provinces) and six junior leagues have demonstrated a tremendous commitment to bringing forward innovative and creative solutions to enhance the delivery of hockey in Western Canada for players and their families,” president and chief executive officer of Hockey Canada Katherine Henderson said in a news release.

“The expansion of the pilot will ensure that our system continues to evolve to meet the needs of our participants, prioritizes their safety on and off the ice and produces high-quality junior hockey throughout Western Canada for years to come.”

The news release noted the WCDM will continue to change in the coming years.