In continuance of the NHL and USA Hockey’s expanded collaboration supporting advancement of the Tier I junior hockey development pathway in the United States, the USHL and a group of stakeholders have signed a memorandum of understanding to establish member clubs in Arizona, California and Nevada.

“This expansion is about more than adding teams – it is about expanding opportunity,” said USHL president and commissioner Glenn Hefferan. “Together with the NHL and USA Hockey, we have committed ourselves to creating the world’s premier environment for player development. Bringing the USHL to the western United States allows more players and families to access that experience while further strengthening a pathway that prepares young athletes for success in hockey, in the classroom, and in life.”

The USHL’s western expansion will continue to provide exposure and access to its development path. A total of 21 players on the 2026 U.S. Olympic men’s hockey gold-medal-winning team played in the USHL, including Arizona native Auston Matthews (NTDP/Toronto Maple Leafs), Jake Guentzel (Sioux City Musketeers/Omaha/Tampa Bay Lightning) and Jaccob Slavin (Chicago Steel/Colorado College/Carolina Hurricanes). Other notable USHL alumni in the NHL include Arizona natives Matthew Knies (Tri-City Storm/Minnesota/Toronto Maple Leafs) and Josh Doan (Chicago Steel/Arizona State/Buffalo Sabres), as well as California native Devin Cooley (Muskegon Lumberjacks/Denver/Calgary Flames).

“We couldn’t be more excited about the expansion into the West of the USHL,” said Los Angeles Kings president Luc Robitaille. “This has been a group effort by multiple parties all with the shared goal of combining our influence to ultimately grow the game of hockey. I want to commend Tom Garrity and Ben Robert for their vision and perseverance as well as thank our NHL team partners in Anaheim and San Jose. Similar to the success we saw with AHL expansion almost a decade ago, this will create a whole new competitive layer to the western region that will allow junior level players to develop and compete closer to home.”

Comprised of 16 member clubs across Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin, the USHL is the only Tier I junior hockey league in the United States. The Madison Capitols were the last expansion team, joining the league in 2014.

“The continued growth and evolution of the USHL is exciting for the future of our game,” said Pat Kelleher, executive director of USA Hockey. “Working collaboratively with our many stakeholders, we believe creating additional opportunities for young players to develop and compete through an expanded footprint will benefit athletes, communities, and the sport as a whole.”

An announcement about member club principals, markets, and timelines will be made on June 24.

“We are grateful for the leadership and support of Los Angeles Kings president Luc Robitaille, whose vision and commitment to growing the game helped make this opportunity possible,” said Hefferan. “We also want to recognize Tom Garrity and Ben Robert for their persistence, dedication, and belief in what this expansion can mean for young players and the future of hockey in the West. We are thrilled to welcome new communities into the USHL family and excited about what this means for the future of our sport.”

— USHL Staff

(June 5, 2026)