The Pacific Junior Hockey League is proud to officially announce updated roster regulations regarding 20-year-old players, starting with the 2026-27 regular season.
Following approval by the PJHL Board of Governors, the league will implement stricter limits on 20-year-old players. The move is designed to prioritize player development across the league while keeping a competitive balance intact.
Under standard Hockey Canada Regulations, clubs at the PJHL level are permitted to carry up to nine 20-year-old players on their active rosters. For the 2026-27 season, these are 2006-born players.
However, beginning with the upcoming campaign, the PJHL is self-imposing tighter limits to maximize development opportunities for young players across the league. Member clubs are now capped at a maximum of five 20-year-old skaters and one 20-year-old goaltender on their active roster.
In addition to the revised active roster limits, the PJHL is enforcing strict parameters on game-day lineups. For all pre-season, regular season, and post-season games, teams are permitted to dress a maximum of four 20-year-old skaters and one 20-year-old goaltender on their active game sheet.
These roster adjustments ensure younger players get the ice time and developmental runway they need to grow, while keeping a crucial place for the veteran 20-year-olds who lead our dressing rooms.
All eight PJHL member franchises must align their rosters with the newly mandated player limits before the formal kickoff of the 2026-27 regular season.
