Canadian Hockey League Proposal:

Canada needs a hockey league in Canada that can compete with the NHL. Unlike the World Hockey League, it could prosper and possibly even better the NHL product over time. To be successful it should look like this:

Give it an identity of its own. Similar to that of the Canadian Football League in comparison to the National Football League, which adds a player. Or the American Baseball League in comparison to the National Baseball League, where one has a DH and the other remains.

Canada's League should introduce 4-on-4 hockey for the entire game. It should implement rules to accommodate the reduction of one player. Take away the centre red line and allow the players to ice the puck. It would be the same as giving it up to the other team. This way a team has to have total control of the puck to be in command of the play. Fans don't have to see professionals running around in their own end of the ice as much. Give goalies the freedom to do whatever they feel comfortable doing. This will allow them to be creative with the puck and open up the game even more, to the enjoyment of the fan.

Perhaps allow the players with more freedom in equipment, such as not making helmets mandatory. Fans now can recognize players and embrace them more. Trust me players are not stupid, ask the likes of Lafleur, Orr and Esposito, who opted not to wear helmets and became superstars.

Open the doors to as many Canadian teams that can ice a professional franchise.

Ensure Canadian content in the game by having solid Canadian sponsorship such as Canadian Tire, Tim Hortons. As well as, looking for Canadian television rights, rather than selling themselves to American television. Let the American television come to us, while the league canvases the Canadian networks.

Make use of Canadian players by allowing quotas, similar to that of the Canadian Football League. You can do this by on draft day making two drafts, a Canadian draft and then a Universal draft. This will give you an excellent idea of which draft is of most interest to the fan. Then play on that draft.

Hire good Canadian ambassadors to the game, like Bobby Hull, Bobby Orr & Phil Esposito to promote the game. Possibly one for each franchise.

Try to get as many Olympic size arenas into the game as possible. This opens up the game, even more, which is what this league should be all about. It should be getting away for the "Tic Tac Toe" hockey the NHL has now brought to the fans.

Fans don't want to see computerized hockey, so play on that!

In Closing:

This type of league would be accepted and embraced by the fan. It is a safer and more entertaining style of hockey. It opens up the game for the stars to become superstars. It is a league that would grow in time and possibly be the best their is, thus setting a standard for hockey and the way it should be played today!