The United States Hockey League is set to broaden its footprint across the Pacific seaboard, confirming a plan to field six new franchises that will begin competition in October 2027. The initiative targets markets in California and Arizona, marking the league’s first sustained push beyond its traditional Midwest stronghold.
Details released by league officials name San Diego, Orange County, Simi Valley, a broad swath of Northern California, as well as Prescott Valley and Phoenix as the prospective host cities, each slated to receive a dedicated team that will join the existing 16‑team roster.
Hall of Fame Leadership
Three members of the Hockey Hall of Fame – Luc Robitaille, Joe Sakic and Teemu Selänne – have been enlisted to guide the expansion, bringing decades of playing and executive experience to a project that aims to nurture elite talent and broaden access to the sport on the West Coast.
The USHL boasts an impressive developmental pedigree, with more than half of all NCAA Division I men’s hockey players and nearly a quarter of NHL skaters having passed through its junior ranks. Since 2020 the league has produced over 285 direct NHL Draft selections, and nine of the last ten Hobey Baker Award winners, including Chicago Steel forward Macklin Celebrini, have listed USHL experience on their résumés.
While the league has not yet clarified how the new West Coast clubs will integrate with the current schedule, officials say the expansion will coexist with the existing 16 teams, including the Green Bay Gamblers, without immediate plans to suspend or reshuffle regular‑season play.
Beyond the immediate competitive implications, the move is viewed as a strategic effort to tap into a growing hockey market in states that have traditionally been baseball or basketball‑centric, leveraging the region’s climate, fan bases and corporate sponsorships to create a sustainable pipeline for the next generation of players.