Montreal Defeats Concordia To Capture 2026 Miller Waste U Sports Women's Hockey Championship

The Montreal Carabins defeated the Concordia Stingers 5-2 to capture the 2026 Miller Waste U Sports Women's Hockey Championship. Tournament MVP Maude Desroches turned aside 40 of 42 Concordia shots to help the Carabins to victory. The story is here.

UQTR Captures U Sports 2026 University Cup

The University of Quebec-Trois-Rivieres defeated host Saint Mary's 3-2 in overtime to capture the 2026 U Sports University Cup. Felix Lafrance notched the overtime winner for the Patriotes. The championship game was played before 7,386 fans at the Scotiabank Centre in Halifax. The story is here

NHL, CHL And AHL Nearing 19-Year-Old Player Agreement

The NHL, CHL and AHL are reportedly nearing an agreement that would allow for 19-year-old players, that have been selected in the 1st round of the NHL Draft, to play in the AHL on a full-time basis. The change could come into effect as early as next season. The NHLPA will still need to rubber stamp the agreement. The story is here. 

Justin Bourne Is Right. Gary Bettman Is Wrong. It's Time To Change The NHL Playoff Format!

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman likes the playoff format just as it is. Playoff series are contested within the division first, before eventually moving on to a conference final. Justin Bourne suggests a conference playoff format where it's 1 v 8, 2 v 7, 3 v 6 and 4 v 5. 

In the current playoff format, you can have a really strong division (ie. Central Division) where three of the league's top teams reside. One of those teams (Colorado, Dallas, Minnesota) is out in the first round. On the flip side, you have a really weak division (ie. Pacific Division) where only one team (Anaheim) has more wins than losses. Sub-.500 teams are being rewarded for a mediocre regular season, while some elite teams will be at home watching those mediocre teams play in the second round. Why does the NHL have a regular season that doesn't reward performance for the playoffs? The NHL really needs to rethink their playoff format. Justin Bourne's thoughts via Sportsnet are here. 

Hamilton Is Getting An AHL Team. How About Bringing Back A Historic Name?

The New York Islanders are planning to move their AHL affiliate Bridgeport Islanders to Hamilton, Ontario in time for the 2026-27 season. The team will play at the recently renovated TD Coliseum. Hamilton last had an AHL team in 2014-15 when they were known as the Hamilton Bulldogs. The Hamilton Bulldogs name transitioned to the junior OHL, until the arena renovation prompted a relocation to Brantford as the Brantford Bulldogs. 

So what name will the franchise be given? How about the Tigers? The name has historic history in the city, as the Hamilton Tigers played in the NHL from 1920 to 1925. While it would be close in name to the city's pro football franchise (the Hamilton Tiger-Cats were established in 1950 when the Hamilton Tigers and Hamilton Wildcats franchises merged), it would bring back a historic hockey name that has great significance in the city. 

You can find out more about the AHL's Hamilton return here.

Recent Scouting Report On 2026 NHL Draft Top Prospect Ivar Stenberg

Here is a recent detailed scouting report on 2026 NHL Draft top prospect Ivar Stenberg (by McKeen's Hockey). 

NAHL Confirmed To Houston

An elite junior level franchise has been confirmed for the Houston area for the 2026-27 season, as the NAHL's North Iowa Bulls will relocate to the still under construction Deep South Ice & Sports Center in Richmond, Texas. The team will be known as the Houston Bulls. 

The Deep South Ice & Sports Center is scheduled to be completed in the summer of 2026 and will feature an 1,800 seat main arena with 14 suites and 2 party decks, as well as a second NHL-size practice arena. Mason City, Iowa will maintain the North Iowa Bulls in the lower level NA3HL, as they rebrand from the Mason City Toros. The story is here.