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About the Western Canadian Development Model |
The Western Canadian Development Model (WCDM) is a collaborative initiative launched for the 2024-25 season by Hockey Canada’s four Western members, their Junior A leagues, and the Western Hockey League to unify athlete development. It prioritizes player advancement, roster flexibility and aligned rules, allowing athletes more opportunities to play in the WHL and improving player choice. The WCDM is designed to be a long-term initiative, with plans to expand and refine its strategies based on successful pilot seasons.
Key Pillars of the WCDM:
- Player Advancement: Focusing on accelerating player growth and opportunities, including creating more flexibility for 15- and 16-year-old affiliate players.
- Roster Composition: Expanding, for the 2025-26 season, the ability of players to move between leagues and enhancing opportunities for development, such as 15-year-old affiliates being able to play up to 10 games with their WHL team.
- Standard of Play and Rules: Streamlining rules between Junior A leagues and the WHL to ensure consistent player experience, including rules surrounding equipment (e.g., half-face protection for 18+).
- Alignment and Messaging: Ensuring a unified approach between stakeholders in Western Canada to prioritize the best interests of the athlete, including support for off-ice development and officiating.
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