Hockey Canada announce Western Canadian Development Model

Immediate changes will be taking place for junior hockey in Western Canada, with Hockey Canada announcing a Western Canadian Development Model (WCDM) to launch in the 2024-25 season. This model is just phase 1 of a bigger plan to create opportunities for players to progress in sanctioned hockey, providing clearly defined and developed pathways from grass roots to the highest levels.

The WCDM pilot project focuses on strengthening the delivery of sanctioned junior hockey to participants across Western Canada and will create unprecedented choice and flexibility for players and their families in a system that prioritizes their unique needs on and off the ice, while evolving the opportunities offered to athletes to develop at a level that is reflective of their ability.

“The unity between Hockey Canada and the 10 organizations that led the development of the pilot project has never been stronger, and we are grateful for the tremendous work by the Members and leagues that led to today’s announcement,” said Pat McLaughlin, chief operating officer and executive vice-president of strategy for Hockey Canada. “We all must continue to evolve to meet the needs of Canadians looking to participate in our National Winter Sport in a system that operates with an athlete-centred approach and ensures their development and safety on and off the ice is at the forefront of everything we do.

“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.”

To learn more about the pilot project, visit:
Western Canadian junior hockey pilot to launch in 2024-25 season (hockeycanada.ca)