[citation needed] In May 1970, CAHA chairman Frank McKinnon tabled a motion at the organization's Annual General Meeting to allow the remaining Junior "A" leagues to compete at a national level for their own championship.

In 1972, the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey Association folded when two of its teams (Sudbury Wolves and Sault Ste.

After one year of playing head-to-head for the provincial Junior A title, the EJHL folded and left the MVJHL as the only league in Nova Scotia.

After various attempts to create a stable Junior A system in Newfoundland, the NAHA and its teams pulled out of National play in 1977.

During the 1988 Centennial Cup playoff run, the Black Lake Miners of Quebec were allowed to enter as an independent team.

[citation needed] The CJAHL was formed in November 1993, with Fred Page appointed as chairman of the board, and Ronald Boileau as president.

[citation needed] In 2000, the Thunder Bay Flyers folded, having competed strictly in the United States Hockey League since the 1996–97 season.

[4][5] Several return-to-play scenarios were proposed for the 2020–21 season, which included staggered registrations and different opening dates for each league.

[6] Due to the pandemic, some leagues in the CJHL played games without spectators in attendance with greatly reduced income.

The CJHL hoped that the financial assistance given by provincial governments in Alberta and Saskatchewan would be equalled by other provinces.

The BCHL reportedly sought to import players aged 16 and 17 from other provinces, which was opposed by the remainder of the CJHL.

[8] Former leagues competing within the CJHL:[citation needed] Atlantic Canada Quebec Ontario Manitoba British Columbia

[9][10] Rick Morocco served as executive director from 2014 to 2016, when he was succeeded by Brent Ladds who became president while Lamb continued as chairman.

The winners of the four regional playoffs and a host city play in the Centennial Cup national Junior A championship.

The Callaghan Cup was originally awarded to the Atlantic Junior "A" Champion between the winner of Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia, but after the three major Maritime leagues merged and Newfoundland's final league departed the trophy had no real use.

The CJHL chose not to have the four regional championships, and gave each league champion a berth in the Centennial Cup.

Team East (CHL, MHL, NOJHL, OJHL, and QJAAAHL players) and Team West (AJHL, BCHL, MJHL, SJHL, and SIJHL players) playoff in an annual event for the President's Cup at a predetermined host city in front of scores of fans and scouts.

[citation needed] At the 2011 Royal Bank Cup it was announced that starting with the 2011 World Junior A Challenge that the CJHL Prospects Game would take place at the WJAC.

Following the 2013 World Junior A Challenge, the game was reverted to a stand-alone event starting with the 2014–15 season, as well as taking place post-New Years for the first time ever.

Other notable players to be drafted directly from Junior A hockey include: Al MacAdam, Ken Houston, Cam Botting, Troy Murray, Chris Chelios, Dave Ellett, Ray Ferraro, Tony Hrkac, Brett Hull, Tom Tilley, Danton Cole, Mike Eastwood, Garry Valk, Dixon Ward, Greg Johnson, Anson Carter, Ryan Johnson, and Bates Battaglia.