League Statement:
Canada is a nation full of hidden hockey talent that deserves to be showcased to Canadians.

For too long Canadians have been complicit in allowing American corporations; NHL, AHL, ECHL, PWHL – NFL, NBA, MLB, MLS, NLL etc. to funnel profits out of Canada and into the United States.

• 5 out of the 10 provinces in Canada have no access to professional hockey – and therefore have no access to Canada’s national sport – Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador.
• 3 out of the 10 largest cities in Canada have no access to professional hockey – and therefore have no access to Canada’s national sport – Quebec City (839,311), Hamilton (785,184), and Mississauga (717,961).

For too long regions all across Canada have been ignored simply because they’re medium sized markets, but that does not reflect the true passion of these markets.

For over one hundred years these cities have produced elite hockey talent – literal legends of our country – and legends of our sport who can compete on any stage.

• Regina, Saskatchewan - 99 NHL athletes
• Saskatoon, Saskatchewan - 89 NHL athletes
• Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo, Ontario - 79 NHL athletes
• Hamilton, Ontario - 64 NHL athletes
• Niagara-St. Catharines - 63 NHL athletes
• London, Ontario - 59 NHL athletes
• Quebec City, Quebec - 54 NHL athletes
• Windsor, Ontario - 54 NHL athletes
• Mississauga - 34 NHL athletes
• Halifax, Nova Scotia - 26 NHL athletes
• Victoria, British Columbia - 21 NHL athletes
• Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island - 21 NHL athletes
• St. John’s , Newfoundland and Labrador - 13 NHL athletes
• Moncton, New Brunswick - 12 NHL athletes
• Saint John, New Brunswick -  7 NHL athletes
• Fredericton, New Brunswick - 6 NHL athletes

It is crucial that all Canadian citizens have access to our heritage – and to our national sport. And sadly there are multiple cities in Canada, and multiple provinces across Canada that are currently being neglected by those in charge of professional hockey – we want to change that.

• We want to provide these markets with professional hockey.
• We want to provide jobs for Canadians.
• We want to provide Canada with something Canadian to cheer for.

With the right branding, marketing, and visibility – we can create the next long lasting Canadian institution to provide the next generation of Canadians and the current generation of Canadians (that have been ignored for so long) with something patriotic to cheer for at a time when Canada has never needed it more.

Since there is no professional domestic hockey league in Canada – those in charge of hockey have deprived our citizens from access to our heritage. They have neglected our provinces and the hardworking individuals in those provinces that make this country what it is.

Many extremely talented athletes in the OHL, WHL, and QMJHL are forced to give up playing hockey after the age of 20 (the age limit in the CHL).

The Canadian League™ (CL) will provide a place for these players to play after major junior.

It is time for the elite hockey talent in Canada to have a Canadian-run organization to support instead of Canadians being forced to head to the United States, to Europe, or to Russia, to finish out their professional hockey careers.

Therefore we have taken it upon ourselves to kickstart this long overdue plan into motion.

With proper funding, sponsorships, and/or partnerships, we can create a fully fledged professional hockey league that generates jobs for Canadians, puts money back into the Canadian economy, and provides Canadian markets with no access to professional hockey with the long overdue entertainment that represents their specific markets.


The Canadian League™ – Long Live Canada


Founder and CEO,

Samuel J.J. Picano