At the U SPORTS Men's Hockey Championship 2026 in Halifax, 165 of the 215 players are former Canadian Hockey League (CHL) players, making up over 75% of competitors. This event, happening from March 19 to 22, 2026 at the Scotiabank Centre, highlights the CHL鈥檚 commitment to athlete development in hockey. The University of Moncton鈥檚 Aigles Bleus lead with 25 CHL alumni, followed closely by the UQTR Patriots with 24 and host team Saint Mary's with 23. Notably, the Saskatchewan Huskies are entering as the top seed for the first time since 2000.

By the Numbers
  • 165 former CHL players make up over 75% of the tournament participants.
  • The tournament features 215 registered players across eight teams.
State of Play
  • Quarterfinals are scheduled for today and tomorrow at the Scotiabank Centre.
  • The Huskies are aiming for their second national title since winning in 1983.
What's Next

Upcoming matches include semifinals on Saturday and a bronze medal game on Sunday, with the championship match immediately following.

Bottom Line

The U SPORTS 2026 Championship showcases a remarkable legacy of CHL players, exemplifying the league's pivotal role in nurturing hockey talent across Canada.