Lawsuit Accuses Major Canadian Junior Leagues of Running 'a Cartel'

According to the Toronto Sun, the lawsuit has been filed in New York by divisions of the World Association of Icehockey Players Unions and two individual former major junior players. They claim the CHL restricts a player's ability to choose where he wants to play, in turn limiting the compensation they receive. The NHL is also listed as a defendant in the suit.

The suit also claims the CHL and NHL are running a cartel that ensures they benefit as much as possible.

A representative from the CHL wouldn't comment saying they had just been made aware of the lawsuit, and would need time before filing a defense. No court date has been set yet.

Players in the CHL leagues are not allowed to play in the AHL until they are 20, as per an agreement with the NHL. If you make an NHL roster from those leagues under the age of 20, you can't be demoted to the AHL, and are instead sent back to your respective CHL league. There are stipends and/or benefits in the QMJHL, OHL, and WHL, but it isn't as much as the AHL, which appears to be the main issue behind the lawsuit.

Source: Toronto Sun