165 CHL Alumni to Compete in the 2026 U SPORTS University Cup
Published on March 19, 2026 under Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) News Release
TORONTO, ON - The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) is proud to announce that 165 alumni from the Western Hockey League (WHL), Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) will compete at the 2026 U SPORTS Men's Hockey Championship, set for March 19-22 at Scotiabank Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia (see complete list below). The tournament begins later today at 1 p.m. AT. Representing more than 75% of all players competing at the 2026 U SPORTS University Cup, the 165 CHL graduates once again highlight the league's role as the world's leading developer of hockey talent.
Among the CHL alumni competing in this year's championship are 75 graduates of the QMJHL, 48 from the OHL, and 47 from the WHL, with five alumni having played in more than one Member League. Together, the WHL, OHL, and QMJHL remain deeply committed to the academic advancement of their athletes, collectively investing approximately $10 million each year in the education of current and former players across the CHL - including the 165 alumni competing for a national championship at the 2026 University Cup.
Making its 18th appearance at the University Cup and entering as one of five returning teams in this year's tournament, the Université de Moncton Aigles Bleus lead all participating schools with 25 CHL alumni. They are followed by the OUA champion Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR) Patriotes with 24, host Saint Mary's University with 23, and both the Canada West champion University of Saskatchewan and AUS champion University of New Brunswick (UNB), each with 22.
The University of Saskatchewan Huskies enter the 2026 University Cup as the top seed for the first time since 2000, as they chase the program's second national title and first since 1983. Up front, Conner Roulette (Seattle Thunderbirds, Saskatoon Blades, Spokane Chiefs / WHL) leads the way after being named the co-2026 U SPORTS Men's Hockey Rookie of the Year and earning a place on the U SPORTS All-Rookie Team. He was also one of the top performers of the postseason, recording 12 points (6G-6A) to tie for the U SPORTS playoff scoring lead. On the blue line, Landon Kosior (Prince Albert Raiders / WHL) has also been a key contributor, earning 2025-26 Second Team All-Canadian honours after finishing second in scoring among Canada West defencemen with four goals and 29 assists, averaging just over a point per game.
UNB, which also features 22 CHL alumni, earned the No. 2 seed after capturing its eighth consecutive AUS title. The Reds are set to make a record 11th straight appearance at the University Cup and are led by head coach Rob Hennigar, a Windsor Spitfires (OHL) alumnus who is in his second season behind the bench after succeeding current Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL) head coach Gardiner MacDougall. Among New Brunswick's key contributors is defenceman Luca D'Amato (Flint Firebirds, Oshawa Generals / OHL), who earned U SPORTS All-Rookie Team honours after recording 22 points (2G-20A) and a +25 rating in 29 games during the 2025-26 campaign.
The No. 3 seed belongs to the UQTR Patriotes, who feature 24 CHL alumni and punched their ticket to Halifax by capturing a fourth OUA title in the last five seasons. They were led in the OUA championship game by 2023 Memorial Cup champion Kassim Gaudet (Québec Remparts, Drummondville Voltigeurs, Chicoutimi Saguenéens / QMJHL), who scored the overtime winner. The Patriotes are also anchored by captain Conor Frenette (Victoriaville Tigres, Québec Remparts / QMJHL), a 2021 QMJHL champion who claimed the R.W. Pugh Fair Play Award as the most sportsmanlike player in U SPORTS. Frenette recorded 29 points (15G-14A) in 27 games this season, averaging better than a point per game for the third straight year while finishing among the OUA's top five goal scorers.
Rounding out the field are the University of Windsor as the No. 4 seed, Mount Royal University at No. 5, the Université de Moncton at No. 6, Queen's University at No. 7, and host Saint Mary's University as the No. 8 seed.
In men's hockey, the three conference champions are seeded in the top three based on the final national rankings, while the OUA finalist is automatically placed in the No. 4 position. The remaining teams are then placed to avoid intraconference matchups in the quarterfinal round.
The 2026 University Cup quarterfinals will be played today and tomorrow at Scotiabank Centre in Halifax, with the semifinals scheduled for Saturday at 1 p.m. AT and 7 p.m. AT. On Sunday, the bronze medal game will begin at 9 a.m. AT, followed by the championship game at 1 p.m. AT.
For more information on the 2026 U SPORTS Men's Hockey Championship, please visit U SPORTS' official championship website.
Complete list of 165 CHL Alumni competing at the 2026 U SPORTS University Cup
#1. University of Saskatchewan Huskies (22)
Jordan Kooy (London, Sarnia, Oshawa/OHL), Nolan Maier (Saskatoon/WHL), Bryan Thomson (Lethbridge/WHL), Cole Jordan (Moose Jaw/WHL), Mac Gross (Spokane/WHL), Logan Bairos (Kamloops/WHL), Eric Johnston (Prince Albert/WHL), Landon Kosior (Prince Albert/WHL), Ben Saunderson (Saskatoon/WHL), Chase Bertholet (Winnipeg, Spokane/WHL), Ashton Ferster (Medicine Hat, Kamloops/WHL), Cade Hayes (Moose Jaw, Spokane/WHL), Dawson Holt (Vancouver, Regina/WHL), Liam Keeler (Edmonton, Red Deer/WHL), Raphael Pelletier (Edmonton, Swift Current, Everett/WHL), Chantz Petruic (Moose Jaw/WHL), Josh Pillar (Kamloops, Saskatoon/WHL), Ethan Regnier (Swift Current, Everett/WHL), Rhett Rhinehart (Prince Albert, Prince George, Saskatoon/WHL), Conner Roulette (Seattle, Saskatoon, Spokane/WHL), Keaton Sorensen (Red Deer, Prince Albert/WHL), Carter Stebbings (Swift Current/WHL),
#2. University of New Brunswick Reds (22)
Cody Morgan (Kingston, Windsor, Flint, London/OHL), Cole Huckins (Acadie-Bathurst, Sherbrooke, Charlottetown/QMJHL), Mike Petizian (Kitchener/OHL), Luca D'Amato (Flint, Oshawa/OHL), Justin Nolet (Sarnia, Kitchener/OHL), Braeden MacPhee (Halifax/QMJHL), Peter Reynolds (Saint John, Halifax/QMJHL), Stuart Rolofs (London, Oshawa/OHL), Jax Dubois (Peterborough, Kingston/OHL), Camaryn Baber (Saginaw, London/OHL), Thomas Larouche (Val-d'Or/QMJHL), Gage Heyes (Kingston/OHL), Luke Torrance (Oshawa/OHL), Nicolas Savoie (Québec/QMJHL), Colton Kammerer (Sarnia, Hamilton/OHL), Roberto Mancini (Saginaw, Windsor, Flint/OHL), Leighton Carruthers (Saint John, Rouyn-Noranda//QMJHL), Marc-Olivier Beaudry (Drummondville/QMJHL), Nicholas Blagden (Blainville-Boisbriand, Moncton, Saint John/QMJHL), Remi Delafontaine (Cape Breton, Shawinigan, Chicoutimi, Blainville-Boisbriand/QMJHL), Liam Sztuska (Peterborough/OHL, Shawinigan/QMJHL), Adam Rouleau (Val-d'Or/QMJHL)
#3. Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières Patriotes (24)
Felix Lafrance (Blainville-Boisbriand, Cape Breton, Chicoutimi, Acadie-Bathurst/QMJHL), Conor Frenette (Victoriaville, Québec/QMJHL), Pier-Olivier Roy (Gatineau, Québec/QMJHL), Charles Beaudoin (Shawinigan, Moncton/QMJHL), Anthony Turcotte (Rouyn-Noranda/QMJHL), William Dumoulin (Rimouski/QMJHL), Thomas Auger (Moncton, Québec/QMJHL), Loris Rafanomezantsoa (Chicoutimi, Shawinigan/QMJHL), Anthony Munroe-Boucher (Sherbrooke/QMJHL), Ludovic Soucy (Rimouski/QMJHL), Mathis Cloutier (Val-d'Or, Moncton, Shawinigan, Blainville-Boisbriand/QMJHL), Kaylen Gauthier (Drummondville, Sherbrooke/QMJHL), Christophe Rondeau (Sherbrooke/QMJHL), Zachary Gravel (Gatineau, Victoriaville, Québec, Cape Breton, Chicoutimi/QMJHL), Olivier Boutin (Gatineau, Moncton/QMJHL), Edouard Cournoyer (Québec, Rouyn-Noranda/QMJHL), Mathis Perron (Rouyn-Noranda/QMJHL), Charles-Antoine Pilote (Moncton, Gatineau, Val-d'Or/QMJHL), Kassim Gaudet (Québec, Drummondville, Chicoutimi/QMJHL), Zachaël Turgeon (Victoriaville, Val-d'Or/QMJHL), Charles-Antoine Lavallée (Moncton, Shawinigan, Chicoutimi/QMJHL), William Grimard (Rimouski, Cape Breton/QMJHL), Vincent Filion (Moncton, Rimouski/QMJHL), Antoine Lagacé (Val-d'Or/QMJHL)
#4. University of Windsor Lancers (11)
Colton Smith (London, Windsor/OHL), Keegan McMullen (Peterborough, Soo/OHL), Dylan Schives (Québec, Baie-Comeau/QMJHL), Matt McNamara (Peterborough/OHL), Brady Hinz (Sarnia, Peterborough/OHL), Jacob Boucher (Lethbridge, Edmonton, Vancouver/WHL), Dominic Mufarreh (Soo/OHL), Frank Jenkins (Hamilton/OHL, Acadie-Bathurst/QMJHL), Sal Collora (Lethbridge, Kamloops/WHL), Max Donoso (Ottawa, Windsor/OHL), Logan Linklater (Regina/WHL)
#5. Mount Royal University Cougars (20)
Connor Bouchard (Tri-City/WHL), Josh Tarzwell (Lethbridge, Red Deer/WHL), Teague Patton (Medicine Hat, Victoria, Everett/WHL), Jayden Wiens (Saskatoon, Brandon/WHL), Justin Lies (Vancouver, Saskatoon/WHL), Clay Hanus (Portland/WHL), Spencer Moe (Prince Albert/WHL), Vaughn Watterodt (Kamloops, Saskatoon, Victoria/WHL), Kyle Walker (Everett, Regina/WHL), Blake Stevenson (Tri-City, Saskatoon, Red Deer, Calgary/WHL), Remy Aquilon (Victoria, Prince Albert/WHL), Tristan Zandee (Calgary, Lethbridge/WHL), Layton Feist (Regina, Spokane, Kamloops/WHL), Ty Gibson (Everett, Regina/WHL), Mike Ladyman (Spokane, Winnipeg/WHL), Robbie Fromm-Delorme (Portland/WHL), Ethan Rowland (Red Deer, Kamloops/WHL), Shane Farkas (Portland, Victoria/WHL), Ethan Buenaventura (Calgary/WHL), Ryan Nolan (Medicine Hat, Saskatoon, Kamloops/WHL)
#6. Université de Moncton Aigles Bleus (25)
Michaël Cyr (Moncton/QMJHL), Jeremy D'Astous (Shawinigan, Chicoutimi/QMJHL), Jules Boilard (Baie-Comeau/QMJHL), Jeremy Lapointe (Drummondville/QMJHL), Olivier Hache (Rouyn-Noranda/QMJHL), Denis Toner (Halifax/QMJHL), Philippe Collette (Acadie-Bathurst/QMJHL), Charles-Édouard Drouin (Drummondville, Rouyn-Noranda/QMJHL), Jérémie Jacob (Saint John, Acadie-Bathurst/QMJHL), Carl-Anthony Massé (Québec/QMJHL), Thomas Pelletier (Drummondville, Val-d'Or/QMJHL), Simon Maltais (Rimouski, Québec/QMJHL), William Basque (Gatineau/QMJHL), Jonathan Desrosiers (Moncton, Chicoutimi/QMJHL), Yann-Félix Lapointe (Sherbrooke, Blainville-Boisbriand/QMJHL), Marc-Antoine Mercier (Baie-Comeau/QMJHL), Alexis Arsenault (Rouyn-Noranda, Victoriaville/QMJHL), David Doucet (Cape Breton, Acadie-Bathurst, Val-d'Or/QMJHL), Antoine Roy (Blainville-Boisbriand, Cape Breton/QMJHL), Charles Côté (Rimouski/QMJHL), Yannic Bastarache (Acadie-Bathurst/QMJHL), Michael Horth (Charlottetown/QMJHL), Nathan Darveau (Victoriaville/QMJHL), Olivier Adam (Blainville-Boisbriand, Baie-Comeau, Sherbrooke/QMJHL), Justin Gendron (Victoriaville, Baie-Comeau, Saint John/QMJHL)
#7. Queen's University Gaels (18)
Nolan Hutcheson (Sudbury/OHL), Michael Renwick (Hamilton, Windsor/OHL), Cam Tolnai (Ottawa/OHL), Lucas Peric (Ottawa, Kingston/OHL), Ian Lemieux (Saginaw, Barrie, Kingston/OHL), Aidan Castle (Niagara, Windsor, Saginaw/OHL), Ethan Larmand (Sudbury/OHL, Halifax/QMJHL), Ethan Peters (Edmonton, Tri-City/WHL), Cameron Morton (Erie/OHL), Jack Duff (Erie/OHL), Thomas Sirman (Ottawa/OHL), Nathan Ribau (Sudbury, Windsor, Niagara/OHL), Quinn Binnie (Mississauga, Peterborough/OHL), Ian Michelone (Flint, Windsor, Ottawa/OHL), Alex Messier (Erie/OHL), Aidan Spooner (Kingston/OHL), Tanner Wickware (Guelph, Barrie/OHL), Ben Feenan (Tri-City Americans/WHL)
#8. Saint Mary's University Huskies (23)
Ben Allison (Cape Breton, Gatineau, Acadie-Bathurst/QMJHL), Reid Valade (Kitchener/OHL), Charlie Da Fonseca (Drummondville/QMJHL), Ethan Ritchie (Kingston, Sarnia/OHL), Will Chisolm (Gatineau/QMJHL), Jacob Holmes (Soo, Sudbury, Windsor, Kingston/OHL), Ben Boyd (Charlettetown/QMJHL), Connor Olson (Moncton/QMJHL), Matthew MacDonald (Shawinigan, Cape Breton, Baie-Comeau, Blainsville-Boisbriand/QMJHL), Liam Arnsby (North Bay/OHL), Derek Gentile (Québec, Charlottetown, Cape Breton/QMJHL), Davis Cooper (Cape Breton, Québec/QMJHL), Liam Van Loon (Hamilton, Niagara/OHL), Dylan Andrews (Acadie-Bathurst/QMJHL), Landon Cato (Niagara/OHL), Connor Trenholm (Cape Breton, Saint John, Moncton/QMJHL), Jake Uberti (Niagara, Mississauga/OHL, Acadie-Bathurst/QMJHL), Nolan Dillingham (Sarnia/OHL), Chris Grisolia (Barrie, Kitchener/OHL), Dixon Grimes (Guelph/OHL, Charlottetown/QMJHL), Ben West (Barrie/OHL), Marcus Vandenberg (Kitchener, Niagara, Sudbury/OHL), Gage Alexander (Winnipeg, Swift Current/WHL)
Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Stories from March 19, 2026
- 165 CHL Alumni to Compete in the 2026 U SPORTS University Cup - QMJHL
- Cats Finish Season on Saturday with Fan Appreciation Day - Moncton Wildcats
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