Two Maple Leafs Top Prospects Involved in Class Action Lawsuit

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Graham Montgomery
February 14, 2024 (4:25 PM)

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The Canadian Hockey League is one of the most important developmental leagues for the NHL. Every year numerous top prospects are drafted out of the league with NHL teams heavily scouting every team. However, some changes may be coming for the league.

Canadian Hockey League Facing Class Action Lawsuit

It was announced today that a class action lawsuit has been filed against the CHL in the United States today. Notably, 8 of the league's 60 teams are based in the United States. The lawsuit alleges that the league exploits its players, many of whom are minors, by limiting where they can play.

NEWS: A class-action suit has been filed against the CHL, saying that the major junior hockey system in North America violates U.S. antitrust law.

It alleges that "the leagues exploit teenagers in the sport by restricting their ability to pick where to play and limiting their compensation."

There are a number of other complaints the plaintiffs state. For one, certain players are denied monetary compensation for their time as players over the age of 18 could theoretically be playing in the AHL or ECHL. However, the CHL currently has a deal in place that prevents players of this age from leaving their CHL teams. Similarly, players give up their NCAA eligibility to play in the CHL.

Plaintiffs in a lawsuit filed in New York against the CHL, its major junior leagues and the NHL allege that teenage hockey players are "treated like disposable objects."

@IanKennedyCK has more:

Leafs Top Prospects To Be Affected By CHL Lawsuit

Every NHL team has prospects playing in the CHL. For the Toronto Maple Leafs, this includes top prospects Frasier Minten and Easton Cowan.

#LeafsForever prospect Fraser Minten sells the shot and makes a nice pass on a 2 on 1 for the primary assist. He has three points tonight, bringing him to 37 points in 27 games this year.

At this point, it is not clear how this lawsuit could affect prospects like Cowan and Minten. Luckily for the Leafs, both of these players are close to turning pro anyways so they likely will not be affected much, if at all, by the lawsuit. However, the same can not necessarily be said for other team's prospects and players that have yet to be drafted. Be sure to stay tuned for updates on this intriguing story.

As seen on Lawsuit: Junior hockey violates antitrust law