NHL 4-Tier Minor-League System Proposal
| NHL Team | Tier 1 (Triple-A/AAA) Affiliate | Tier 2 (Double-A/AA) Affiliate | Tier 3 (High-A) Affiliate | Tier 4 (Low-A) Affiliate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Franchise | Location | Current League | Proposed NHL Affiliate | Capacity | Recent Average Attendance Range (2021–2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sports Stadiums/Arenas Visited Record
Hockey
National Hockey League (NHL) - Male Major Professional Club - United States of America, Canada
Vancouver Canucks | Rogers Arena | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | First Game: 2014/01
Toronto Maple Leafs | Air Canada Centre (now called Scotiabank Arena) | Toronto, Ontario, Canada | First Game: 2015/04
Buffalo Sabres | Keybank Center | Buffalo, Erie County, New York, United States of America | First Game: 2018/03
Ottawa Senators | Canadian Tire Centre | Ottawa, Ontario, Canada | First Game: 2019/01
Les Canadiens de Montréal | Centre Bell | Montréal, Québec, Canada | First Game: 2019/01
Chicago Blackhawks | United Center | Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, United States of America | First Game: 2019/11
Detroit Red Wings | Little Caesars Arena | Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan, United States of America | First Game: 2023/02
Pittsburgh Penguins | PPG Paints Arena | Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States of America | First Game: 2024/01
Florida Panthers | Amerant Bank Arena | Sunrise, Broward County, Florida, United States of America | First Game: 2024/04
Tampa Bay Lightning | Amalie Arena | Tampa, Hillsborough County, Florida, United States of America | First Game: 2024/04
Philadelphia Flyers | Wells Fargo Center | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America | First Game: 2024/10
Winnipeg Jets | Canada Life Centre | Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada | First Game: 2024/11
New York Islanders | UBS Arena | Elmont, Hempstead, Nassau County, New York, United States of America | First Game: 2025/04
New York Rangers | Madison Square Garden | Manhattan, New York, New York, United States of America | First Game: 2025/04
New Jersey Devils | Prudential Center | Newark, Essex County, New Jersey, United States of America | First Game: 2025/04
Edmonton Oilers | Rogers Place | Edmonton, Alberta, Canada | First Game: 2025/12
American Hockey League (AHL) - Male Minor Tier 1 Professional Club - United States of America, Canada
Belleville Senators | CAA Place | Belleville, Ontario, Canada | First Game: 2024/03
Manitoba Moose | Canada Life Centre | Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada | First Game: 2024/11
Toronto Marlies | Coca-Cola Coliseum | Toronto, Ontario, Canada | First Game: 2025/03
East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) - Male Minor Tier 2 Professional Club - United States of America, Canada
Canadian Hockey League (CHL: WHL + OHL + QMJHL) - Male Major Junior Amateur Club - Canada, United States of America
Western Hockey League (WHL) - British Columbia, Washington, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Oregon
Vancouver Giants | Pacific Coliseum (have moved to Langley Events Centre) | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (have moved to Langley, British Columbia, Canada) | First Game: 2005/03
Kamloops Blazers | Sandman Centre | Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada | First Game: 2023/05
Regina Pats | Brandt Centre | Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada | First Game: 2024/10
Saskatoon Blades | SaskTel Centre | Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada | First Game: 2024/10
Brandon Wheat Kings | Westoba Place (now called Assiniboine Credit Union Place) | Brandon, Manitoba, Canada | First Game: 2024/11
Calgary Hitmen | Scotiabank Saddledome | Calgary, Alberta, Canada | First Game: 2024/11
Prince George Cougars | CN Centre | Prince George, British Columbia, Canada | First Game: 2024/11
Victoria Royals | Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre | Victoria, British Columbia, Canada | First Game: 2024/11
Edmonton Oil Kings | Rogers Place | Edmonton, Alberta, Canada | First Game: 2025/12
Ontario Hockey League (OHL) - Ontario, Michigan, Pennsylvania
Kitchener Rangers | Kitchener Memorial Auditorium | Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada | First Game: 2002/10
Guelph Storm | Guelph Sports & Entertainment Centre (now called Sleeman Centre) | Guelph, Ontario, Canada | First Game: 2005/01
Owen Sound Attack | Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre | Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada | First Game: 2012/11
Niagara Icedogs | Meridian Centre | St. Catharines, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada | First Game: 2015/01
London Knights | Budweiser Gardens (now called Canada Life Place) | London, Ontario, Canada | First Game: 2015/04
Hamilton Bulldogs (now defunct) | First Ontario Centre (now called TD Coliseum) | Hamilton, Ontario, Canada | First Game: 2016/01
Oshawa Generals | Tribune Communities Centre | Oshawa, Durham Region, Ontario, Canada | First Game: 2016/02
Mississauga Steelheads (now defunct) | Paramount Fine Foods Centre | Mississauga, Peel Region, Ontario, Canada | First Game: 2017/01
Saginaw Spirit | Dow Event Center | Saginaw, Saginaw County, Michigan, United States of America | First Game: 2017/10
Flint Firebirds | Dort Financial Centre | Flint, Genesee County, Michigan, United States of America | First Game: 2017/10
Sarnia Sting | Progressive Auto Loans Arena | Sarnia, Lambton County, Ontario, Canada | First Game: 2018/04
Barrie Colts | Sadlon Arena | Barrie, Ontario, Canada | First Game: 2018/12
Erie Otters | Erie Insurance Arena | Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania, United States of America | First Game: 2019/12
Kingston Frontenacs | Leon's Centre (now called Slush Puppie Place) | Kingston, Ontario, Canada | First Game: 2020/01
North Bay Battalion | North Bay Memorial Gardens (now called Boart Longyear Memorial Gardens) | North Bay, Ontario, Canada | First Game: 2021/10
Ottawa 67's | TD Place | Ottawa, Ontario, Canada | First Game: 2022/02
Peterborough Petes | Peterborough Memorial Centre | Peterborough, Ontario, Canada | First Game: 2022/04
Sudbury Wolves | Sudbury Community Arena | Greater Sudbury, Ontario, Canada | First Game: 2022/11
Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds | GFL Memorial Gardens | Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada | First Game: 2023/02
Windsor Spitfires | WFCU Centre | Windsor, Ontario, Canada | First Game: 2023/04
Brantford Bulldogs | Brantford Civic Centre (now called TD Civic Centre) | Brantford, Ontario, Canada | First Game: 2023/12
Brampton Steelheads | CAA Centre | Brampton, Peel Region, Ontario, Canada | First Game: 2024/10
Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) - Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland & Labrador
Les Olympiques de Gatineau | Centre Slush Puppie | Gatineau, Québec, Canada | First Game: 2022/12
L'Armada de Blainville-Boisbriand | Centre d'Excellence Sports Rousseau | Boisbriand, Québec, Canada | First Game: 2022/12
Les Remparts de Québec | Centre Videotron | Québec, Québec, Canada | First Game: 2023/09
Les Cataractes de Shawinigan | Centre Gervais Auto | Shawinigan, Québec, Canada | First Game: 2023/10
Le Phœnix de Sherbrooke | Palais des Sports Léopold-Drolet | Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada | First Game: 2023/10
Les Huskies de Rouyn-Noranda | Aréna Dave-Keon (now called Aréna Glencore) | Rouyn-Noranda, Québec, Canada | First Game: 2024/11
Les Foreurs de Val-d'Or | Centre Agnico Eagle | Val-d'Or, Québec, Canada | First Game: 2024/11
Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL: OJHL + 8 more) - Male Minor Junior Tier 1 (“Junior A”) Amateur Club - Canada
Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) - Ontario, New York
Milton Menace | Milton Memorial Arena | Milton, Halton Region, Ontario, Canada | First Game: 2025/01
Niagara Falls Canucks | Galt Centre Arena | Niagara Falls, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada | First Game: 2025/03
Pickering Panthers | Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex | Pickering, Durham Region, Ontario, Canada | First Game: 2026/04
Toronto Patriots | Westwood Arena | Toronto, Ontario, Canada | First Game: 2026/04
Greater Ontario Hockey League (GOHL) - Male Minor Junior Tier 2 (“Junior B”) Amateur Club - Ontario
Listowel Cyclones | Listowel Memorial Arena | Listowel, North Perth, Perth County, Ontario, Canada | First Game: 2004/12
Kitchener Dutchmen | Kinsmen Arena/Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex | Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada | First Game: 2005/01
Cambridge Winterhawks (now called Cambridge Redhawks) | Galt Memorial Gardens | Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada | First Game: 2013/01
Waterloo Siskins | Waterloo Memorial Recreation Centre | Waterloo, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada | First Game: 2018/04
Elmira Sugar Kings | Dan Snyder Memorial Arena/Woolwich Recreation Centre | Elmira, Woolwich, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada | First Game: 2019/12
Stratford Warriors | William Allman Memorial Arena | Stratford, Ontario, Canada | First Game: 2023/04
Ayr Centennials | North Dumfries Community Complex | Ayr, North Dumfries, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada | First Game: 2023/11
Pelham Panthers | William Allman Memorial Arena | Pelham, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada | First Game: 2025/02
Strathroy Rockets | West Middlesex Memorial Arena | Strathroy, Strathroy-Caradoc, Middlesex County, Ontario, Canada | First Game: 2025/03
Brantford Titans | Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre | Brantford, Ontario, Canada | First Game: 2025/03
Caledonia Corvairs | Haldimand County Caledonia Centre | Caledonia, Haldimand County, Ontario, Canada | First Game: 2025/03
Hamilton Kilty B's (now called Hamilton Steel) | Dave Andreychuk Mountain Arena | Hamilton, Ontario, Canada | First Game: 2025/04
St. Marys Lincolns | Pyramid Centre | St. Marys, Perth County, Ontario, Canada | First Game: 2025/04
London Nationals | Western Fair Sports Centre | London, Ontario, Canada | First Game: 2026/03
Provincial Junior Hockey League (PJHL) - Male Minor Junior Tier 3 (“Junior C”) Amateur Club - Ontario
New Hamburg Firebirds | Wilmot Recreation Centre | New Hamburg, Wilmot, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada | First Game: 2024/04
Hespeler Shamrocks | Hespeler Memorial Arena | Hespeler, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada | First Game: 2024/12
Glanbrook Rangers | Glanbrook Arena | Glanbrook, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada | First Game: 2025/03
Fergus Whalers | Centre Wellington Community Sportsplex | Fergus, Centre Wellington, Wellington County, Ontario, Canada | First Game: 2025/03
Norwich Merchants | Nor-Del Arena | Norwich, Norwich Township, Oxford County, Ontario, Canada | First Game: 2025/04
Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) - Female Major Professional Club - United States of America, Canada
Toronto Furies (now defunct, part of now defunct league: CWHL) | Mastercard Centre | Toronto, Ontario, Canada | First Game: 2018/01
Toronto Sceptres | Coca-Cola Coliseum | Toronto, Ontario, Canada | First Game: 2025/03
Ontario Women's Hockey League U22 Elite (OWHL U22 Elite) - Female Major Amateur Club - Ontario
K-W Rangers (now defunct, league was formerly called Provincial Women's Hockey League) | Kinsmen Arena/Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex | Kitchener, Ontario, Canada | First Game: 2019/03
Baseball
Major League Baseball (MLB) - Male Major Professional Club - United States of America, Canada
Toronto Blue Jays | Rogers Centre | Toronto, Ontario, Canada | First Game: 2005/09
Detroit Tigers | Comerica Park (now called Fifth Third Park) | Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan, United States of America | First Game: 2015/07
New York Yankees | Yankee Stadium | The Bronx, New York, New York, United States of America | First Game: 2015/07
Philadelphia Phillies | Citizens Bank Park | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America | First Game: 2015/07
Washington Nationals | Nationals Park | Washington, District of Columbia, United States of America | First Game: 2015/07
Pittsburgh Pirates | PNC Park | Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States of America | First Game: 2015/07
Seattle Mariners | Safeco Field (now called T-Mobile Park) | Seattle, King County, Washington, United States of America | First Game: 2018/06
Cleveland Indians (now called Cleveland Guardians) | Progressive Field | Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio, United States of America | First Game: 2019/04
Chicago Cubs | Wrigley Field | Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, United States of America | First Game: 2019/08
Boston Red Sox | Fenway Park | Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, United States of America | First Game: 2023/08
Baltimore Orioles | Oriole Park at Camden Yards | Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America | First Game: 2023/08
Colorado Rockies | Coors Field | Denver, Colorado, United States of America | First Game: 2023/09
Miami Marlins | LoanDepot Park | Miami, Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States of America | First Game: 2024/03
Tampa Bay Rays | Tropicana Field | St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, Florida, United States of America | First Game: 2024/04
Chicago White Sox | Guaranteed Rate Field (now called Rate Field) | Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, United States of America | First Game: 2024/05
Milwaukee Brewers | American Family Field | Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, United States of America | First Game: 2024/05
St. Louis Cardinals | Busch Stadium | St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America | First Game: 2024/07
Cincinnati Reds | Great American Ball Park | Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio, United States of America | First Game: 2024/08
Minnesota Twins | Target Field | Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota, United States of America | First Game: 2024/09
New York Mets | Citi Field | Queens, New York, New York, United States of America | First Game: 2025/04
Minor League Baseball (MiLB: Triple A, Double A, High A, Single A) - Male Minor Professional Club - United States of America, Canada
International League (IL) - Triple A - New York, Ohio, Tennessee, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Nebraska, Iowa, Indianapolis, Kentucky, Georgia, Florida, Virginia, Massachusetts
Toledo Mud Hens | Fifth Third Field | Toledo, Lucas County, Ohio, United States of America | First Game: 2012/06
Buffalo Bisons | Coca-Cola Field (now called Sahlen Field) | Buffalo, Erie County, New York, United States of America | First Game: 2018/07
Columbus Clippers | Huntington Park | Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio, United States of America | First Game: 2024/08
Northwest League (NWL) - High A - Washington, Oregon, British Columbia
Vancouver Canadians | Nat Bailey Stadium (now called Rogers Field at Nat Bailey Stadium) | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | First Game: 2016/07
Midwest League (NWL) - High A - Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois
Great Lakes Loons | Dow Diamond | Midland, Midland County, Michigan, United States of America | First Game: 2024/05
Lansing Lugnuts | Jackson Field | Lansing, Ingham County, Michigan, United States of America | First Game: 2024/06
West Michigan Whitecaps | LMCU Ballpark | Comstock Park, Kent County, Michigan, United States of America | First Game: 2024/07
MLB-Partner Independent Leagues - Male Independent Professional Club - United States of America, Canada
American Association of Professional Baseball (AAPB) - Wisconsin, Manitoba, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana
Winnipeg Goldeyes | Blue Cross Park | Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada | First Game: 2024/08
National Association of Professional Baseball (NAPB - formerly called Frontier League) - Illinois, Quebec, Texas, Mississippi, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Ontario, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, New Jersey, Massachusetts
Ottawa Titans | Ottawa Stadium | Ottawa, Ontario, Canada | First Game: 2026/06
Canadian Baseball League (CBL, formerly called Intercounty Baseball League) - Male Independent Professional Club (formerly Male Amateur Club) - Ontario
Kitchener Panthers | Jack Couch Park at Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex | Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada | First Game: 2004/06
Stratford Storm (renamed Stratford Nationals, now defunct) | Nationals Stadium | Stratford, Ontario, Canada | First Game: 2005/07
Brantford Red Sox | Arnold Anderson Stadium | Brantford, Ontario, Canada | First Game: 2012/08
Barrie Baycats | Coates Stadium (now called Athletic Kulture Stadium) | Midhurst, Springwater, Simcoe County, Ontario, Canada | First Game: 2015/09
Guelph Royals | David E. Hastings Stadium | Guelph, Ontario, Canada | First Game: 2017/07
Toronto Maple Leafs | Christie Pits Park | Toronto, Ontario, Canada | First Game: 2018/07
London Majors | Labatt Park | London, Ontario, Canada | First Game: 2021/06
Hamilton Cardinals | Bernie Arbour Stadium | Hamilton, Ontario, Canada | First Game: 2021/07
Welland Jackfish | Welland Stadium | Welland, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada | First Game: 2021/08
Chatham-Kent Barnstormers | Fergie Jenkins Park at Rotary Field | Chatham-Kent, Ontario, Canada | First Game: 2024/06
Football (American)
National Football League (NFL) - Male Major Professional Club - United States of America
Canadian Football League (CFL) - Male Independent Professional Club - Canada
British Columbia Lions | BC Place | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | First Game: 2012/07
Les Alouettes de Montreal | Stade Percival-Molson | Montreal, Quebec, Canada | First Game: 2012/08
Hamilton Tiger-Cats | Ivor Wynne Stadium (rebuilt and now called Hamilton Stadium) | Hamilton, Ontario, Canada | First Game: 2012/10
Winnipeg Blue Bombers | Investors Group Field (now called Princess Auto Stadium) | Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada | First Game: 2013/08
Toronto Argonauts | BMO Field | Toronto, Ontario, Canada | First Game: 2023/07
Saskatchewan Roughriders | Mosaic Stadium | Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada | First Game: 2024/10
Ottawa REDBLACKS | TD Place | Ottawa, Ontario, Canada | First Game: 2026/06
Football (Soccer)
Major League Soccer (MLS) - Male Major Professional Club - United States of America, Canada
Vancouver Whitecaps FC | BC Place | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | First Game: 2016/08
Toronto FC | BMO Field | Toronto, Ontario, Canada | First Game: 2022/03
Chicago Fire FC | Soldier Field | Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, United States of America | First Game: 2024/05
Canadian Premier League (CPL) - Male Independent Professional Club - Canada
Forge FC | Tim Hortons Field (now called Hamilton Stadium) | Hamilton, Ontario, Canada | First Game: 2023/07
Valour FC (now defunct) | Princess Auto Stadium | Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada | First Game: 2024/08
United Soccer League (USL) League Two (USL2, formerly called USL Premier Development League)- Male Amateur Tier 2 (Non-USASA-Sanctioned) Club - United States of America, Canada
K-W United FC (now defunct) | University Stadium | Waterloo, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada | First Game: 2012/07
National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) - Female Major Professional Club - United States of America
Northern Super League (NSL) - Female Independent Professional Club - Canada
Ottawa Rapid FC | TD Place | Ottawa, Ontario, Canada | First Game: 2026/06
Basketball
National Basketball Association (NBA) - Male Major Professional Club - United States of America, Canada
Toronto Raptors | Air Canada Centre (now called Scotiabank Arena) | Toronto, Ontario, Canada | First Game: 2013/12
Brooklyn Nets | Barclays Center | Brooklyn, New York, New York, United States of America | First Game: 2025/04
Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) - Male Independent Professional Club - Canada
Kitchener-Waterloo Titans (bidding for expansion into CEBL, formerly in Basketball Super League & National Basketball League of Canada) | Kitchener Memorial Auditorium | Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada | First Game: 2016/12
Ottawa Blackjacks | TD Place | Ottawa, Ontario, Canada | First Game: 2026/06
Women’s National Basketball League (WNBA) - Female Major Professional Club - United States of America, Canada
Chicago Sky | Wintrust Center | Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, United States of America | First Game: 2024/05
Minneosta Lynx | Target Center | Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota, United States of America | First Game: 2024/09
Lacrosse
National Lacrosse League (NLL) - Male Major Professional Club - Canada, United States of America
Toronto Rock | Paramount Fine Foods Centre (have moved to TD Coliseum, Hamilton) | Mississauga, Peel Region, Ontario, Canada (have moved to Hamilton, Ontario, Canada) | First Game: 2025/01
Thanks to Chris Creamer’s SportsLogos.net, Wikipedia, and Google Search for making logo image files available to all online.