2020-21 American Junior Hockey Season

This is a list of the 2020-21 American Junior hockey season by leagues.

COVID-19 Pandemic
The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic has had major affects on junior hockey in the US as
 * the Western States Hockey League suspended operations for the 2020-21 season in May of 2020.
 * many leagues are writing schedules that are starting later
 * many leagues are being more restrictive with the number of games or teams that each team plays.
 * Teams and leagues have traditionally held tryout camps in the late spring and early summer as a way of bringing in income to keep the organization solvent. The free-to-play USHL and NAHL are in a situation that spectators are needed to make playing economically viable. Many states have severe restrictions on the number of people allowed in one place at a time and in some cases the two teams, staff and game officials are more than are allowed in some states. The NCDC is somewhat in a better position than the other free-to-play leagues as the USPHL has multiple lower level leagues that help foot the bill for the higher level league (by way of higher player fees in the lower levels to offset the free-to-play league).
 * Tier-III leagues are somewhat insulated from the financial effects of the pandemic as they are pay-to-play leagues where the leagues get some of their operating income without the need for spectators, but may were still hurt by the lack of spring and summer camps. Due to gathering restrictions and quarantine periods some teams may be forced to play all road games or use another team's rink for the season.
 * Local requirements may force some teams to pull the plug on a season before it starts.
 * The border closure is less of an issue at the junior level than the collegiate level in the US; unless, players are trying to make major junior or junior A team rosters in Canada as the border is likely to be closed into 2021 and the US has stopped issuing visas for European players to play in the US.

Announced New Leagues for 2020-21

 * None

Former Leagues Folding after 2019-20 season

 * None, but in late May the Western States Hockey League would announce due to the COVID-19 pandemic and logistical changes required due to preventing the spread of the virus; the league would be dormant for the 2020-21 season with plans on returning for the 2021-22 season.

Inter-league transfers

 * On April 17, 2020 the Anaheim Avalanche, Fresno Monsters, Las Vegas Thunderbirds, Northern Colorado Eagles, Pueblo Bulls, San Diego Sabers, Southern Oregon Spartans, and Utah Outliers were announced as joining the United States Premier Hockey League's Premier League for the 2020-21 season from the Western States Hockey League. On April 21st the Ogden Mustangs were announced as joining them. Both announcements indicated that more announcements on teams from the west coast would be coming shortly.


 * On June 16, 2020 the El Paso Rhinos were added to the North American 3 Hockey League from the Western States Hockey League. They will also join the North American Hockey League for the 2021-22 season.

For more changes within leagues; please see each league's season page listed below.

USA Hockey Sanctioned Tier-I

 * 2020-21 USHL Season

USA Hockey Sanctioned Tier-II

 * 2020-21 NAHL Season

USA Hockey Sanctioned Tier-III

 * 2020-21 EHL Season
 * 2020-21 EHLP Season
 * 2020-21 NA3HL Season

Tier-II

 * 2020-21 WSHL Season Season Cancelled in May

Tier-III

 * 2020-21 CPJHL Season (League unable to draft a schedule due to restrictions in both Ontario and Quebec)

Tier-II

 * 2020-21 NCDC Season

Tier-III

 * 2020-21 USPHL-Premier Season
 * 2020-21 USPHL-Elite Season

Canadian Leagues with US-Based Teams

 * 2020-21 OHL Season (Major Junior) (3 US-based teams) (status unknown pending conditions in early February as league plans on starting season on February 4th, league would cancel season on April 20th without playing any games)
 * 2020-21 WHL Season (Major Junior) (5 US-based teams) (5 teams will play each other exclusively, which is what league is doing division by division)
 * 2020-21 BCHL Season (Junior A) (1 US-based team) (lone US-Based team (Wenatchee Wild) would go on hiatus for season)
 * 2020-21 NOJHL Season (Junior A) (1 US-based team) (lone US-Based team (Soo Eagles) on hold pending border re-opening, end up not playing for season)
 * 2020-21 OJHL Season (Junior A) (Lone US-based team (Buffalo Jr. Sabres) suspends operations for 2020-21 late in July)
 * 2020-21 SIJHL Season (Junior A) (2-US-based teams) (Both US-based teams (Thief River Falls Norskies and Wisconsin Lumberjacks) excluded for 2020-21 on November 2nd)
 * 2020-21 KIJHL Season (Junior B) (1 US-based team) (Lone US-based team Spokane Braves opt to sit out season)
 * 2020-21 GOJHL Season (Junior B) (1 US-based team) (Lone US-based team (Buffalo Regals) suspends operations for 2020-21 late in August)