Notebook: CHL TV but without the WHL?

WHL

The future of CHL TV is very much in question following an announcement by the Western Hockey League this week.

The WHL announced Thursday that all of its playoff games and the full 2025-26 regular season will be streamed for free on Victory+. The streaming service has been making some noise of late, broadcasting Dallas Stars, Anaheim Ducks and Texas Rangers games.

From the WHL:

The WHL Playoffs will be available on Victory+ without geo-restrictions, giving fans the opportunity to follow their favorite teams and players on the road to the championship. With Victory+ offering a free, ad-supported streaming service, this ensures that the game is accessible to everyone, no matter where they are or what devices they use, including Samsung and Vizio smart TVs, Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, iOS, Android and web browser.

Making all games available for free is a big move – and one that you have to wonder if the OHL and QMJHL may follow. Following junior hockey isn't easy in this era of dwindling media coverage. It's even harder to follow at a cheap price.

All three leagues have been streamed on the subscription based CHL TV since 2021.

LOTTERY TALK

The Saint John Sea Dogs finished 17th in the 18-team QMJHL, giving them the second best odds of winning the league's draft lottery.

The QMJHL's bottom five teams will all be entered into the lottery.

18. Victoriaville - 9 balls

17. Saint John - 6 balls

16. Halifax - 3 balls

15. Newfoundland - 2 balls

14. Quebec - 1 ball

The Acadie-Bathurst Titan/Newfoundland Regiment own the Gatineau Olympiques' pick.

The Sea Dogs also currently own Cape Breton's first-round pick, which will be 10th overall. We'll see what picks Saint John ends up with on draft day, which will be June 6-7 in Quebec City.

RESPECT

I can't recall seeing something like this in the past, but a very nice gesture by the Cape Breton Eagles to shake the hands/hug graduating Sea Dogs defensemen Nate Tivey and Matteo Mann following Saturday's game. 

A lot of respect by the Eagles for Nate Tivey and Matteo Mann. pic.twitter.com/OfQVQPCUug

— Jamie Tozer (@station_nation) March 22, 2025

FAREWELL

The Acadie-Bathurst Titan played their final regular season home game on Saturday, falling 6-5 in overtime to the Moncton Wildcats.

Thank you Bathurst! Merci! pic.twitter.com/J5ZADR5Q4d

— Titan Acadie-Bathurst (@ABTitan) March 23, 2025

The game was played in front of a sold out KC Irving Regional Centre crowd of 3,496.

The Titan will play the Chicoutimi Sagueneens in the first round of the playoffs, guaranteeing them at least two more home games.

The Titan will move to St. John's and become the Newfoundland Regiment next season.

OTHER THINGS

• With two goals on Saturday, Olivier Groulx finishes the season with six goals in eight games against the Eagles.
• Quispamsis native and Drummondville Voltigeurs overage forward Sam Oliver finished the season as the QMJHL leader in goals with 50. Jonathan Fauchon of the Rimouski Oceanic led the league in points with 103 – the only player to surpass the 100-point mark this year.
• Jonathan Huberdeau appeared in his 900th career NHL game on Saturday. As Daily Hive notes, Huberdeau is having a strong season with the Calgary Flames, posting 27 goals and 28 assists in 69 games. He's on pace to beat his career high for goals in a season (30).

  900 for Huby 🔥#Flames | @LegacyHCYeg pic.twitter.com/LTbXLZyenv

  — Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) March 22, 2025

• Five QMJHL officials hung up their whistles for good this season, the league shared last week.
• Daily Faceoff looks at 10 prospects from the QMJHL to know heading into the 2025 NHL Draft. One of those prospects is Sea Dogs forward Zachary Morin.
• Elliotte Friedman reported on Hockey Night in Canada that the WHL is expected to announce this week that Penticton will be joining the league as an expansion team next season. Friedman also reported that Chilliwack could be added the following season. There was news this past week that there was a change in ownership/management of the Chilliwack Coliseum which should pave the way for the WHL to return to the city for the first time since the Bruins left in 2011.
• 21-year-old Eve Gascon, who appeared in two games with the Gatineau Olympiques during the 2021-22 season, will be Canada's third goaltender at the upcoming IIHF Women's World Championship. Gascon recently finished her second season with the NCAA's Minnesota Duluth-Bulldogs women's team.
• The NCAA men's hockey tournament bracket is now set. Maine, seeded No. 3 overall and the top seed in the Allentown regional, will play their first game on Friday against Penn State.

  The bracket is HERE! 🤩#NCAAHockey pic.twitter.com/TDzqNGZNJ4

  — NCAA Ice Hockey (@NCAAIceHockey) March 23, 2025

• This was awesome to see.

  WHAT A NIGHT!
  
  Thank you for coming out and setting a new Nordiques attendance record! 1,674
  
  The MAINEiacs will be back this Thursday and Friday! pic.twitter.com/npYAVboWM6

  — Maine Nordiques (@MaineNordiques) March 22, 2025

• This was year 16 of the blog. Thanks to everyone who read and followed along all season.