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July 27, 2026Sources cited
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Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League

The Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) is one of the three major junior ice hockey leagues that make up the Canadian Hockey League.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) is one of the three major junior ice hockey leagues that make up the Canadian Hockey League. It began in 1969 and now includes teams in Quebec and the Maritime provinces, with 18 teams listed in the provided sources. The league was formerly known as the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and renamed in 2023.

History

The league was founded in 1969 and originally operated as the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. In 2023, it changed its name to Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League to reflect its Maritime-based teams.

Structure and membership

The QMJHL is one of three leagues in the Canadian Hockey League. The provided sources state that it has 18 teams across Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador.

Competition format

The league stages a regular season followed by playoffs to determine its champion. The champion receives the Gilles-Courteau Trophy and advances to the Memorial Cup competition.

Players and development

The QMJHL is a major junior league and is a key development route for young hockey players. It is widely followed by NHL scouts and is often discussed in relation to top prospects.

Key facts

  • It is one of the three major junior leagues in the Canadian Hockey League.
  • The league operates in Quebec and the Maritime provinces of Canada.
  • The league changed its official name from Quebec Major Junior Hockey League to Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League in 2023.
  • The league championship trophy is the Gilles-Courteau Trophy.
  • The league winner advances to the Memorial Cup tournament against the champions of the OHL and WHL.
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Canadian context

The QMJHL is a Canadian junior hockey league with teams in Quebec and Atlantic Canada, making it an important part of the country’s player-development system and junior sports culture.

Frequently asked questions

What does QMJHL stand for?
QMJHL stands for Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League. It was previously the abbreviation for Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
How many teams are in the QMJHL?
The provided sources list 18 teams in the QMJHL.
Who won the QMJHL championship?
The championship winner changes by season, and the provided search results do not identify a specific current-season champion. The league champion receives the Gilles-Courteau Trophy.
What is the QMJHL schedule?
The QMJHL schedule refers to the league’s regular-season and playoff game calendar, which varies by season. The provided sources do not include a specific current schedule.
How to watch QMJHL games?
The provided sources do not list a single official viewing platform. QMJHL games are typically available through league and team broadcast or streaming partners, which can vary by season and market.
Who are the top QMJHL prospects?
The provided sources do not name current top prospects. The QMJHL is a major junior league closely followed by NHL scouts for emerging players.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quebec_Maritimes_Junior_Hockey_League
    Supports: League name, former name, CHL membership, geographic footprint, and championship trophy.
  2. CBC Sports — https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/qmjhl-name-change-maritimes-1.7059793
    Supports: 2023 name change to Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League.
  3. Canadian Hockey League — https://chl.ca/lhjmq-eagles/article/qmjhl-renamed-the-quebec-maritimes-junior-hockey-league/
    Supports: Official resolution changing the league name.
  4. Wikipedia (French) — https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ligue_de_hockey_junior_Maritimes_Québec
    Supports: Founded in 1969, 18 teams, provinces represented, and former U.S. teams.
  5. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Hockey_League
    Supports: QMJHL as one of the three CHL leagues and Memorial Cup context.