Scenerio #1

'91 Drafted player playing OPJHL but would like to play on a USHL team. At what point can he play in the USHL, two years after his draft? If he is OPJHL, can they trade between both leagues?

Scenerio #2

Undrafted '91, playing Midget, Can he play USHL next year since he is not playing Junior?

Scenerio #3

Drafted 91 playing Midget looking for USHL next year. Can he play?

I for one would like to know more about the USHL, is it essentially the american junior league?

USHL has teams in Cedar Rapids (Iowa), Chicago (Illinois), Des Moines (Iowa), Green Bay (Wisconsin), Indianapolis (Indiana), Lincoln (Nebraska), Columbus (Ohio), Omaha (Nebraska), Sioux City (Iowa), Sioux Falls (North Dakota), Waterloo (Iowa), Tri-Cities (Nebraska).

Travel schedules are 3-4 times that of OHL teams - (and this is a league that promotes education????)

There are currently 296 players rostered on the 12 USHL teams

270 are Americans
10 are Europeans
16 are Canadians (only 7 are from Ontario)

The door is virtually closed to non-US residents. It looks like most USHL teams are limited to 2 "non-US players" by the look of their rosters!

The Ontario players (who were all drafted by OHL teams) in the USHL this year are:

1988's
Rob Martini (Bradford) - an 11th rd draft of Mississauga in 2004

1989's
Mike Dalhuisen (Cameron) - a 6th rd draft of Erie in 2005
Kyle Bonis (Lindsay) - an 11th rd draft of Barrie in 2006
Travis Oleksuk (Thunder Bay) - a 6th rd draft of Windsor in 2005

1990's
Stefan Salituro (Willowdale) - a 5th rd draft of Ottawa in 2006
Brett Perlini (S.S. Marie) - a 3rd rd draft of Soo in 2006
Matt Hoyle (Mississauga) - a 5th rd draft of Kingston in 2006

as a canadian 16 year old, it is virtually impossible to play in the USHL unless you can prove your family is living in the USA and one of your parents is working there.

Very true.The chances are slim and none for a canadian kid to play in the USHL.Pursue other viable options,don't waste your time.

Another contributor already touched on some key issues.

1) Unless you have dual citizenship, Hockey Canada will likely deny your branch transfer request if you are a 16 year old. Once you complete a year of midget or junior, you won't face a lot of resistance, if you can earn a spot.

2) USHL teams can only have 2 non-Americans. That leaves all of Canada and the rest of world to compete for a total of 24 spots.

3) Most of the Canadians that do play in the USHL have already performed well in Jr. A and have scholarships locked up. Often, NCAA schools will help place players there for better competition.

4) Canadian players who have gone down there, often come back before their first year is complete. It's a tough place to be if you're an import and you're not one of the best players on the team.

5) If you're an American (or have dual citizenship) and you're a top end NCAA prospect, it's a very good league. Not quite Major Junior calibre, but gaining ground each year.

You also have to be .. good at hockey.

Could you make the team if your dad was the manager of your minor team & padded the stats to make it look like you are the leading goal scorer of the team, even though you are really probably lucky to be playing on the team & then attended the coaches skating sessions over the spring & summer?

You mean if your Dad was a coach who padded your stats and then bought you a spot on a good team cuz he's a rich prick? Or he bought the good team?

Happens all the time.

and you also have to like living on a bus - the travel in that league is just ridiculous!