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47-792: The Guelph Indians were a Canadian junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey Association from 1936 to 1940. After four seasons of play, the Guelph Biltmore Hat Company became the team's sponsors, and the team changed names to the Guelph Biltmore Mad Hatters . Guelph's best season was 1937–38, when they played in the OHA championship series for the J. Ross Robertson Cup , but lost to the Oshawa Generals . Seven alumni from

94-585: A career-high four points in a 6–1 win over the Flint Firebirds . Wright finished the 2019–20 season with 39 goals and 66 points in 58 games. After the season he was named the winner of the Emms Family Award as OHL rookie of the year. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic , the 2020–21 season was cancelled, leaving Wright without a league to play in. His only competitive ice hockey in that span

141-570: A competitive team, it was widely speculated that he would soon be traded to another team in advance of the OHL's trade deadline for the OHL playoffs, with teams such as the Ottawa 67's , London Knights , Barrie Colts , and Peterborough Petes rumoured to be interested. Despite rumours that placed the London Knights as frontrunners to secure Wright in trade, on January 9, 2023, he was traded to

188-608: A director with the Czech Ice Hockey Association , felt that Junior-aged players were enticed to play in North America before maturation, with a negative effect on the development of the player and the European system. He stated that of the 527 Czech Republic players who went to North American Junior hockey, only 22 of them played more than 400 NHL games. He sought to establish a European system that

235-764: A goal and adding an assist in an 8–4 loss to the Niagara IceDogs . Wright recorded his first multi-goal game on October 11, as he scored twice, including the overtime-winning goal, in a 4–3 victory over the Niagara IceDogs. On December 30, the Frontenacs named Wright an alternate captain of the team, as he became the youngest team captain in Canadian Hockey League (CHL) history. On February 29, 2020, Wright recorded his first OHL hat trick , as he scored three goals and added an assist for

282-552: A major source of debate in the media and among fans, as he was frequently scratched and being played for less than seven minutes per game on average when allowed into the lineup. Following five straight games as a healthy scratch, the Kraken exploited a loophole in league rules to send Wright to their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Coachella Valley Firebirds , on a conditioning stint. This bypassed

329-409: A member of Canada's under-18 team at the 2021 World U18 Championships and junior team at the 2023 World Junior Championships . Wright was granted exceptional player status for the 2019–20 OHL season , becoming the sixth player to be granted exceptional status. The preceding five players were John Tavares , Aaron Ekblad , Connor McDavid , Sean Day and Joe Veleno . Wright was drafted by

376-720: A professional team, and are used by professional teams to develop their own prospects. One example of this is the J20 SuperElit league in Sweden or the Minor Hockey League in Russia . The lack of an amateur draft in Europe means that the onus is on the teams to sign the most talented young players they can get, and the presence of an affiliated junior team provides a place for young players who are not yet ready for

423-653: A significant concentration of teams in the central and southwestern parts of the United States, although the league began to expand to east coast as of 2015. In October 2016, the Tier III United States Premier Hockey League , a league predominately located on the east coast, applied to USA Hockey for approval of a Tier II league to begin in the 2017–18 season, however, the league was denied that December and decided to operate its Tier II league independently. The NAHL, like

470-653: Is a great day for the organization and the City of Windsor." Wright played 20 games in the regular season, notching 15 goals and 22 assists, while the Spitfires finished first in the Western Conference and entered their first round playoff series against the Kitchener Rangers as the top seed. Wright managed one goal and two assists in four playoff games, before the Spitfires were upset in a sweep by

517-817: Is currently the only Tier I league in the country, consisting of teams in the central and midwestern United States. The USHL provides an alternative to the Canadian Hockey League, which pays its major junior hockey players a stipend, for players who wish to maintain NCAA eligibility for later in their career. While playing in the USHL, all player expenses are paid for by the team; no membership or equipment fees are charged. Unlike major junior teams, free-college stipend does not exist. Historically, professional leagues have drafted less directly from USHL teams, although this trend has shifted in recent years, coinciding with

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564-885: The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) : The championship teams from each league, as well as a pre-selected host team, compete for the Memorial Cup in a round-robin tournament to determine a national champion. Major Junior players were historically deemed ineligible to play college hockey in the United States , because they were considered to be professionals by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Major Junior players retain their eligibility for Canadian universities however, and all three leagues have scholarship programs for players. The NCAA changed its position and decided that CHL players were no longer ineligible as of

611-616: The Clarence Schmalz Cup which was first awarded in 1938. The Ontario Junior C playoffs are played for between six of the Province's seven different regional leagues. In Quebec and West of Manitoba, Junior C hockey tends to be an extension of the local minor hockey system and is sometimes called Juvenile or House League. In Ontario, Manitoba, and the Maritimes, Junior C is run independently of minor hockey systems, though with

658-823: The Coupe Dodge in Quebec , the Don Johnson Cup in the Atlantic Provinces , and the Keystone Cup that represents all of Western Canada, from British Columbia to Northwestern Ontario . Junior C (Junior A in Québec ) generally consists of local competitions, but is considered competitive in some regions, and serve as seeding or farm-teams for Junior B teams. Ontario Junior C Hockey has six rounds of best-of-seven playoffs (up to 42 games per team) for

705-694: The Greater Metro Junior A Hockey League has operated as an independent league in Ontario, Quebec, and Alberta. The league widely recruits players from outside of North America. In late 2016, the United States Premier Hockey League , an organization composed of several USA Hockey Tier III Junior as well as many youth hockey leagues, applied for a Tier II league. The Tier II status was denied in December 2016 but

752-596: The Kingston Frontenacs with the first overall selection in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection. On September 20, 2019, Wright made his Ontario Hockey League (OHL) debut at the age of 15, as he was held to no points in a 4–1 loss to the Oshawa Generals . One week later, on September 27, Wright scored the first OHL goal against Andrew MacLean of the Oshawa Generals in a 4–1 loss. On October 4, Wright had his first multi-point game in his OHL career, scoring

799-505: The North American 3 Hockey League Some Junior ice hockey leagues operate outside the framework of governing bodies such as Hockey Canada and USA Hockey , typically due to disagreements with governing bodies over player recruitment policies and finances. These leagues are sometimes referred to as 'unsanctioned', 'rogue' or 'outlaw' leagues due to their lack of sanctioning or oversight from an outside governing body. Since 2006,

846-487: The Seattle Kraken an opportunity to draft Wright with the fourth overall pick. He remarked afterward that he was "definitely gonna have a chip on my shoulder" as to being passed over by the first three teams. On July 13, 2022, Wright signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Kraken worth $ 2.85 million over three years. Kraken's general manager Ron Francis stated that he believed Wright would likely play

893-619: The US . In 2023, the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) withdrew from the Hockey Canada framework, and thus became an independent league. In response, BC Hockey announced plans to restructure its Junior framework, which included an opportunity for some Junior B teams (styled "Junior A Tier 2" by BC Hockey) to be promoted to Junior A (styled "Junior A Tier 1" by BC Hockey) and eventually seek membership with

940-531: The Windsor Spitfires in exchange for Ethan Miedema, Gavin McCarthy, five draft picks, and two additional conditional draft picks. This trade was the last of a series of transactions by the Spitfires, the defending OHL Western Conference champions, in advance of the 2023 playoffs. Windsor general manager Bill Bowler said that "anytime you get the captain of the gold-medal winning Team Canada junior team

987-466: The 2025–26 season. The decision was made after a class action was filed on behalf of a player who was declared ineligible after having played two exhibition games in the OHL when he was 16 years old. The CHL places a cap of three 20-year-old players per team, and allows up to four 16-year-olds on each roster. While 15-year-old players were formerly permitted to play a limited number of games per season at

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1034-585: The CHL level, they are now permitted to play only if they are deemed exceptional by Hockey Canada . As of 2024 , nine players have qualified under this rule: centre John Tavares in 2005, defenceman Aaron Ekblad in 2011, centre Connor McDavid in 2012, defenceman Sean Day in 2013, centre Joe Veleno in 2015, centre Shane Wright in 2019, forward Connor Bedard in 2020, forward Michael Misa in 2022, and defenceman Landon DuPont in 2024. CHL teams are currently permitted two "imports" (players from outside Canada and

1081-772: The CJHL. The league expected the evaluations to be completed during the 2024—25 season. Junior B (Junior AA in Québec ; Tier 2 in British Columbia ) was created in 1933, to differentiate between teams eligible for Memorial Cup competition and those who were not. The major championships across Canada are the Sutherland Cup in Southern Ontario , the Barkley Cup in the Ottawa District ,

1128-635: The Generals and advance to the second round. The Frontenacs were eliminated by the North Bay Battalion in the second round, concluding his season. After spending the fall of 2022 playing variously in the NHL, the AHL, and the 2023 World Junior Championships , Wright was sent back to the OHL by the Kraken management for the second half of the 2022–23 season . With the Frontenacs not considered to be

1175-918: The Guelph Indians later played in the National Hockey League . Season-by-season results. Junior ice hockey There are four levels of Junior hockey in the Canadian Club System: 1. Major Junior, 2. Junior A, 3. Junior B, and 4. Junior C. Not all teams playing in Canadian Junior leagues are based in Canada . As of 2024 , there were approximately twelve US-based teams playing in various Major Junior and Junior A leagues in Canada. In 2023, BC Hockey announced plans to restructure its Junior framework following

1222-605: The Junior A British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) withdrew its membership with Hockey Canada and became an independent league. In 2024, the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League (VIJHL) announced that it would also withdraw from the Hockey Canada framework and become an independent farm league for the BCHL beginning in the 2024-25 season. In Europe, Junior teams are usually associated with

1269-505: The Rangers. Considered the presumptive first overall pick in the 2022 NHL entry draft at the start of the season, Wright's status began to be called into question by the midpoint of the 2021–22 season, with many scouts saying that he had "left the door open for someone to unseat him." As the draft approached, debate largely focused on the merits of Wright versus Slovak winger Juraj Slafkovský of Liiga 's TPS . The first overall pick

1316-576: The Tier III level pay a fee or tuition, commonly ranging from $ 4,000 to $ 9,500. This is for all accounts and purposes an amateur level, although some players go directly to NCAA Division I schools. Most Tier III players are looking to increase their skills in hopes to move up to Tier II or I, while other players go directly to NCAA Division III , ACHA and CHF schools. Prior to July 2011, USA Hockey split Tier III into Junior A and B divisions. USA Hockey currently has one sanctioned Tier III league,

1363-572: The US) each. Up until 1970, the leagues that were classified as Major Junior and "Junior A" today were both part of Junior A. In 1970 they were divided into "Tier I Junior A" or "Major Junior A" and "Tier II Junior A". In 1980, the three Major Junior A leagues opted for self-control over being controlled by the branches of the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association (CAHA) and became Major Junior hockey, Tier II Junior A became

1410-500: The USHL, provides young players an alternative to major junior hockey, although the skill level is considered significantly lower than major junior hockey and typically filled with those who would not or did not make the roster of a Tier I team. Unlike Tier I, the NAHL does not pay for all players' expenses, such as room and board, but there is no tuition cost to the player as in Tier III. In addition to paying for room and board, players at

1457-518: The USNTDP moving to the USHL in 2009-10. In the 2019 NHL Entry Draft , 17 of the 44 players drafted out of the USHL played for the USNTDP. Those 44 draft picks were 16 more than any of the three leagues in the Canadian Hockey League, and included 9 first round picks (8 of which came from the USNTDP) and 7 second round picks. For most of its existence the USHL was considered inferior in quality of play to

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1504-773: The USPHL moved forward with the new league anyway, creating the National Collegiate Development Conference. In response, the USPHL has removed all their junior level leagues (the NCDC and the Tier III-level Premier and Elite Divisions) from USA Hockey sanctioning since the 2017–18 season. In 2022, the Eastern Hockey League , which was operating two Tier III leagues, also left USA Hockey sanctioning. In 2023,

1551-590: The Windsor Spitfires were eliminated from the OHL playoffs. He participated in the Firebirds' deep run to the finals of the 2023 Calder Cup playoffs , where they lost to the Hershey Bears in seven games. Wright recorded two goals and seven assists in 24 AHL playoff games. Wright made his international debut with Canada under-18 team at the 2021 World U18 Championships , finishing second in

1598-567: The departure of its only Junior A league . Its three Junior B leagues ( PJHL , KIJHL and VIJHL ) were re-styled as "Junior A Tier 2", with plans to promote some to "Junior A Tier 1" following an independent evaluation. It was expected that those teams promoted to "Junior A Tier 1" would eventually apply for membership in the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL), an association of Junior A leagues governed by Hockey Canada and its regional branches . BC Hockey expected

1645-542: The evaluations to be completed during the 2024-25 season. Before the process was completed, the VIJHL announced that it would also withdraw from the Hockey Canada framework and become an independent farm league for the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) beginning in the 2024-25 season. Major Junior is the highest level of Junior ice hockey in Canada. There are three Major Junior leagues that collectively make up

1692-440: The loss of the prior OHL season. However, he was widely credited with taking major strides in performance for the remainder. Wright finished the regular season with 32 goals and 62 assists, the former less than in his debut season, the latter a significant increase. The Frontenacs qualified for the OHL playoffs, and faced the Oshawa Generals in the first round. Wright scored the series-winning goal in overtime of game sic to eliminate

1739-495: The major junior levels. But it continued to improve and as of 2019 about 21 percent of NHL players had played USHL in their career. Between 80 and 90 percent of USHL players continued into NCAA hockey. Currently, the North American Hockey League is the only USA Hockey-sanctioned Tier II league in the United States. The NAHL consists of teams spread across the western two thirds of the United States with

1786-465: The requirement Wright be returned to major junior level. After scoring four goals in five AHL games, he returned to the Kraken lineup on December 6, scoring his first NHL goal in a 4–2 loss against the Canadiens, a result widely called " poetic ." After spending time competing with Canada junior team , the Kraken returned Wright to the OHL. In April 2023, Wright was re-assigned to the Firebirds after

1833-465: The rigours of the professional game to develop. However, not all players on a European junior team are necessarily property of their professional club, and may elect to sign elsewhere. At the World Hockey Summit in 2010, nations in Europe expressed concern about the number of junior players leaving to play in North America, despite the improved talent level and the increasing popularity of the IIHF Ice Hockey World Junior Championships . Slavomir Lener,

1880-462: The same mostly recreational purpose. Junior ice hockey in the United States is sanctioned by USA Hockey . The top level is Tier I, represented by the United States Hockey League . Tier II is represented by the North American Hockey League . There are several Tier III and independently sanctioned leagues throughout the country. Some US-based teams play in Canadian leagues outside of the USA Hockey framework. The United States Hockey League (USHL)

1927-437: The season with the Kraken. He played 6:14 minutes in his NHL debut on October 12, in a 5–4 overtime loss to the Anaheim Ducks . Following his debut, Wright was a healthy scratch for the following two games before returning to the lineup on October 17. Two days later, he recorded his first NHL point, an assist, in 4–3 overtime loss to the St. Louis Blues . As October concluded, head coach Dave Hakstol 's usage of Wright became

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1974-502: The top tier of hockey in the CAHA and became Junior A hockey. Junior A (Junior AAA in Québec ; Tier 1 in British Columbia ) hockey is one level below Major Junior. It is governed by the respective regional branches of Hockey Canada . The Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) is an association of nine Junior A leagues: The national championship is the Centennial Cup . Unlike Major Junior players, Junior A players retain their NCAA eligibility and may go on to play college hockey in

2021-424: The tournament scoring race and scoring two goals in the final against Russia under-18 team to help win the gold medal. Later in the year he was selected for Canada junior team for the 2022 World Junior Championships , but was only able to play two games before the tournament was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic . Wright expressed "shock and disappointment". Wright did not play in the rescheduled event that

2068-497: Was an appearance at the 2021 World U18 Championships . Wright returned to the Frontenacs for the 2021–22 season . On October 8, 2021, he was named captain of the team, making him the youngest captain in OHL history. Expectations were high based on his rookie season, his performance internationally, and his presumptive status as the first overall pick in the NHL entry draft , but the season began with only 22 points in 19 games in his first two months. Many attributed this in part to

2115-455: Was competitive enough to deter players from entering into the CHL Import Draft . Shane Wright (ice hockey) Shane Wright (born January 5, 2004) is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre for the Seattle Kraken of the National Hockey League (NHL). Projected as the likely first overall pick leading up to the 2022 NHL entry draft , Wright was selected fourth overall by the Kraken. Internationally, Wright won gold medals as

2162-413: Was held in August 2022. Wright was loaned by the Seattle Kraken to Canada junior team in advance of the 2023 World Junior Championships . On December 18, 2022, he was named captain of the team for the tournament, which he called a "true honour." During the tournament he recorded four goals and three assists in seven games, winning a gold medal with the team. He was widely praised for his performance in

2209-423: Was won by the Montreal Canadiens , whose general manager, Kent Hughes , confirmed days before the draft that the choice was between Wright, Slafkovský, and Logan Cooley of the USA Hockey National Team Development Program (USNTDP). Ultimately the Canadiens used the first overall pick to select Slafkovský, the New Jersey Devils selected Šimon Nemec second and the Arizona Coyotes selected Cooley third, giving

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