New professional hockey team coming to British Columbia, new details emerge

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Cooper Godin
May 31, 2024 (12:36)

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After rumours earlier this month about a new professional hockey league which will feature a team in British Columbia, we finally have more details about this venture.

Major League Hockey is what it'll be called and they plan to get underway this fall with 16 teams across North America. In Canada, they will have teams in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Ontario and Quebec. Meanwhile in the United States, teams will be placed in Arizona, New York, California, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New England, Oklahoma, Texas and Florida.

The league's format will be 3-on-3, to show the fast pace and intensity that the NHL uses in overtime, although for MLH, it'll be for a full game. Each team will play two 24-minute games each night with those being played on Friday and Saturday's.

As for the rosters for Major League Hockey, they will be filled with NCAA and U Sports players, as well as those who play in junior leagues in Canada, the United States and Europe. Major League Hockey also added that each team is allow three "World Class" players. A "World Class" player is defined by someone who is a free agent either in North America, Europe or Russia and have major professional experience. The league also mentioned that female players will be considered to play.

Each team will have 14 players on their roster (12 skaters, two goaltenders) and a 2024 Player Draft has already been completed by Major League Hockey's scouting staff. Rosters and draft results are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

"MLH teams can sign three WORLD CLASS players. These can be free-agents in North America, Europe or Russia with major professional-level experience. Teams will then fill out their roster with talented players from the NCAA or Canadian U Sports, plus major junior players in Canada, the United States and Europe. We're proud to announce that qualified female players will be considered equally."

Now, as for financial backing of this new league, it's unclear where the money is coming from, but each of the 16 franchises will have a salary cap of $30 million, with teams earning an additional $100K for a victory.

More details regarding Major League Hockey will be announced over the coming weeks and in the summer. The schedule, cities that teams will be playing in, logos/branding, arenas and ticketing are all questions that need to be answered before puck drops later this year.

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