How the CHL Drafts Work

Each of the three CHL leagues runs its own annual draft. They share a basic structure (worst teams pick first, lottery for the top spot, multiple rounds) but pull from different geographic territories and have their own quirks.

OHL Priority Selection

Held in April. Fifteen rounds, with each team picking from a pool of mostly U16 AAA players from Ontario and adjacent territories (including Michigan and the U.S. northeast). The order of the first four picks is set by a weighted lottery among the bottom four non-playoff teams, with the worst team currently holding 40 percent odds at first overall. Selected players are listed by the team but are not committed: a U.S. or Ontario player can decide to pursue the NCAA, prep school, or another path instead of signing.

WHL Prospects Draft

Held in May. Fifteen rounds, drawing from Western Canada and a wide swath of the western and central U.S. Eligible territory covers BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and the territories, plus a long list of U.S. states from Washington and Oregon east through Minnesota and as far south as Texas. The American portion is run as a separate WHL U.S. Priority Draft just before the main draft.

QMJHL Entry Draft

Held in June. Twelve rounds, pulling primarily from Quebec and the four Atlantic provinces. The 2025 draft selected 219 players.

What happens after a player is drafted

A drafted player is added to the team's protected list and invited to training camp the following August or September. Drafted players are not automatically on the team: they have to make the roster. A 16-year-old who is not ready may return to AAA or attend a Junior A team for another year of development before joining the CHL club.

Players may also be traded between CHL teams, and the trade deadline (typically January) can completely reshape a contender's roster.