In 2011, the AAU expressed interest in sanctioning junior ice hockey leagues.

[1] In July 2014, the Canadian Independent Junior Hockey League (CIJHL)[2] of British Columbia applied for AAU sanctioning as well, but despite the sanctioning, the league shuttered its doors in September without playing a single game.

In turn, half the CIHL broke away and formed the World United Hockey League as UHU members.

On September 12, the new league was announced as the Central One Hockey League (C1HL) and composed of six WSHL organizations: the Colorado Jr. Eagles, Casper Coyotes, El Paso Rhinos, Ogden Mustangs, Oklahoma City Blazers, and the Springfield Express,[7][8][9] although Ogden was later removed.

[10] The UHU has also announced plans to launch a western Canada-based Tier II league in 2018, called the Western Provinces Hockey Association (WPHA),[11] that began play as the Provinces Division of the WSHL in 2018–19.

[12][13] In the 2019–20 season, both the UHU's junior leagues had to cancel their postseasons due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic limiting travel and arena availability.