USHL plans expansion for junior teams in California, Nevada, and Arizona
2 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 4, 2026, 11:18 PM
Last updated Jun 4, 2026
The U.S. Hockey League announced its intention to expand into California, Nevada, and Arizona with a memorandum of understanding signed with stakeholders. Specific details, including the number of new teams and their launch timeline, will be revealed on June 24. This move marks the first expansion since the addition of the Madison Capitols in 2014 and aims to tap into the growing youth hockey market in the Southwest. The expansion reflects the shifting of junior hockey, especially following recent NCAA rule changes regarding Canadian players' eligibility. The USHL commissioner emphasized that this initiative is about increasing opportunities in the sport.
- •USHL to add teams in California, Arizona, and Nevada.
- •Announcement made on June 4, with details to follow on June 24.
- •Last expansion occurred in 2014 with the Madison Capitols.
- •Partnership includes USA Hockey and the NHL.
- •Expansion ties into new NCAA rules affecting Canadian players.
- 12:03 AMESPN NHL — USHL to add Tier 1 Junior teams in western states
- 10:16 PMYahoo Sports — USHL announces expansion plans to add Tier 1 Junior teams in California, Nevada and Arizona
"The U.S. Hockey League is making expansion plans with a focus on adding teams in America’s Southwest. The league on Thursday announced it has a memorandum of understanding with a group of stakeholders to add teams in California, Arizona and Nevada. It’s unclear how many franchises the current 16-team Tier 1 junior hockey league will add and when, with more details to be revealed on June 24, the USHL said.
"The U.S. Hockey League is making expansion plans with a focus on adding teams in California, Nevada and Arizona.
Sources
External links- ESPN NHLJun 5, 2026, 12:03 AMUSHL to add Tier 1 Junior teams in western states
The U.S. Hockey League is making expansion plans with a focus on adding teams in California, Nevada and Arizona.
- Yahoo SportsJun 4, 2026, 10:16 PMUSHL announces expansion plans to add Tier 1 Junior teams in California, Nevada and Arizona
The U.S. Hockey League is making expansion plans with a focus on adding teams in America’s Southwest. The league on Thursday announced it has a memorandum of understanding with a group of stakeholders to add teams in California, Arizona and Nevada. It’s unclear how many franchises the current 16-team Tier 1 junior hockey league will add and when, with more details to be revealed on June 24, the USHL said.
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