Are you a fan of hockey and wondering whether there are other hockey leagues other than the NHL? Well, if you fall into this group, this article is meant for you. Also, if you thought hockey is only synonymous with North America, consider your thoughts very wrong. There are other hockey leagues doing well for themselves and actually have quite several fans to boot. Here are some of them.
Western Hockey League (WHL)
This is one of the three members of the Canadian Hockey League and features twenty teams based in Canada, as well as from the western part of the United States. Established back in the 60s, the key team in this league is Portland Winterhawks and the venue where key matches are played is at the Memorial Coliseum Moda Center.
Slovak Extraliga
This league was established in 1993 after Czechoslovakia split, forming the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Notably, there are great players from both countries who are doing well for themselves in the NHL.
Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
This league has also produced some really well-performing players in the NHL. Players such as Mario Lemieux, Mike Bossy and Patrick Roy, who have been recognized in the NHL Hall of Fame, played in this league.
Kontinental Hockey League (KHL)
This league is considered among the best in the world of hockey. It is, in fact, seen as the strongest league across Europe. Founded in 2008, KHL features 28 teams.
Leading Icehockey and hockey Venues in British Columbia
Rogers Arena- Denman Arena
- Pacific Coliseum
- Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre
- Abbotsford Centre
- Prospera Place
- Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre
- CN Centre
- South Okanagan Events Centre
- Sandman Centre
- Chilliwack Coliseum
- Western Financial Place
- Kal Tire Place
Langley Events Centre- EnCana Events Centre
- Queen’s Park Arena
- Cominco Arena
- Frank Crane Arena
- The Q Centre
- Shaw Centre
- Cowichan Valley Arena
- Bill Copeland Sports Centre
- Weyerhaeuser Arena
- Prince George Coliseum