Canadian Draft Hockey League formed in September of 1991. Nine team owners formed a league of ten teams. Bandits, Blades, Flames, Oilers, Quffs, Sharks, Sharpshooters, Stoppers and Ultimates, with the Checkmates formed by the owners of the Blades and Sharpshooters.
Scoring was based on 2 pts for a goal, 1 pt for an assist, and a bonus point for 3 or more goals in one game. Goaltender teams were awarded 2 pts for a shutout and 1 pt for allowing only one goal in a game.
Teams were allowed only 20 players plus a goaltender team on their rosters, no farm team. Teams had to play three players at each forward position and six defencemen. Only the top two forwards at each position and the top four defencemen were counted. Official positions were based on the NHL Official Guide & Record Book. A supplemental draft was held in December to replace any injured or non-producing players. For every player picked up in the draft, another had to be released.
Clubs played a 52 game schedule. Top four teams from each division reached the playoffs.
Two teams, Bandits and Sharpshooters, were disbanded, and four new teams, Dolphins, Independents, Knights and Wannabees were added. New teams were allowed to draft 8 players each from the two disbanded teams, and 4 players each from the eight remaining original teams.
Rosters were expanded to 30 players. Each team was allowed to place 10 players on a farm team. A player sent to the farm team had to stay there for a minimum of three games.
A team was allowed to play as many players as wanted at any position, with only the best two counting at each forward position, and the best four counting at defence.
Teams were allowed to acquire Free Agents for a fee of $3.00. If more than one team wanted the same player, the highest bidder claimed the player. A $20.00 per year salary cap was applied to Free Agent signings.
Entry draft was 11 rounds.
Clubs played a 54 game schedule.
Entry Draft was changed to 7 rounds.
Rosters were expanded to 40 players. Farm teams were expanded to 20 players. Players sent to the farm had to stay there for a minimum of five games.
Independents under new ownership and changed name to Lynx.
Clubs played a 27 game schedule, due to a strike in the NHL.
Stoppers under new ownership and changed name to L.A. Legends.
Wannabees changed name to Roadrunners.
Entry Draft was changed to 5 rounds.
Free Agent salary cap was raised to $21.00
Players were allowed to play at additional positions that were listed in 2 issues of the Hockey News as the season progressed.
Clubs played a 54 game schedule.
Lynx under new ownership and changed name to Stallions.
Official player positions based on what they played the previous year, as reported in the Hockey News. Players who didn't play the previous year, were still based on the NHL Guide Book. Players allowed to play at additional positions that were listed in 3 issues of the Hockey News as the season progressed.
Free Agent rules changed to allow the team lowest in the standings to have first option on players claimed by more than one team.
A player sent to the farm had to stay there for a minimum of seven games.
Second tie breaker during playoff games given to the team that finished higher in the regular season standings.
Quffs changed name to Trouble.
Farm teams eliminated, any player on the 40 man roster can play at any time.
Goalie rules changed. Teams now allowed to draft goalies and keep them. Teams can play a maximum of three goalies, highest single points to count.
Roster size increased to 45, to accomodate goalies.
Official player positions changed, only three official scources. NHL Guide and Record Book, NHL.com and each NHL teams official web page. CDHL managers are responsible for checking their own players positions on the official web sites.
Checkmates under new ownership and changed name to Tyrants.
2005 Season and draft cancelled due to NHL lockout.
CDHL.ca becomes official website.
Official player positions changed, only two official scources. NHL.com and TheHockeyNews.com.
Draft order changed. First round only, the four teams missing the playoffs will draft first, followed by the eight playoff teams.
Fantasy Sports Services becomes official scource for positions. Players on CDHL teams will retain any positions they have played in the past, as long as they remain on a CDHL team, including players traded from one CDHL team to another.
Player contracts and a five year phase in of a form of salary cap was introduced.
NHL.com becomes official scource for positions. Players on CDHL teams will retain any positions they have played in the past, as long as they remain on a CDHL team, including players traded from one CDHL team to another.
Clubs played a 27 game schedule, due to a strike in the NHL.
Ultimates change name to Newfoundland Ice-Breakers.
Ted Linden retires, Trouble under new management, and change name to Hawks.
Badger Cup renamed Ted Linden Cup.
Goalies scoring changed: 2pts win, 2pts shutout, 2pts goal, 1pt assist.
Clubs played a 33 game schedule, due to Covid 19 pandemic.
Free Agent rules changed begining 2022 season. No three day waiting period. No transaction fee. No limit on transactions.