CHL season opens with Calgary Hitmen set for farewell year at Saddledome

Photo by Canadian Hockey League (CHL)


The Canadian Hockey League is preparing to drop the puck on another season, and in Calgary, the 2026-27 campaign will carry some extra significance.



The Calgary Hitmen will begin their farewell season at the Scotiabank Saddledome when they host the Red Deer Rebels on Sept. 18, opening the final chapter of more than three decades of major junior hockey at the building.



The Hitmen played their inaugural season at the Saddledome in 1995-96 and have called the building home throughout their history. Calgary will play 34 regular-season home games there this season as the organization celebrates its history before eventually moving into a new home.



The farewell is one of several storylines as the CHL begins a season featuring 61 teams across the WHL, OHL and QMJHL and more than 2,000 regular-season games.



According to the CHL, 106 league-developed players were selected in the 2026 NHL Draft, while more than 125 NHL-drafted prospects are expected back this season.



The season will also include a series of showcases for players eligible for the NHL Draft, including the CHL USA Prospects Challenge and the league's individual top-prospects games.



The spotlight will turn to Alberta over the holidays when Edmonton and Red Deer host the 2027 IIHF World Junior Championship.



"From opening night through the Memorial Cup, our players and teams will once again showcase why the CHL is one of the most exciting development leagues in the world," CHL president Dan MacKenzie said in a league release.



For every team, the road ultimately leads to Guelph, Ontario.



The OHL's Guelph Storm will host the 2027 Memorial Cup from May 21-30, bringing together the champions of the WHL, OHL and QMJHL alongside the host Storm to determine the CHL champion.



For Calgary, however, the journey begins with something more immediate.



One last season at the 'Dome.