Junior hockey in Europe

In Europe, junior teams are usually associated with a professional team, and are used by professional teams to develop their own prospects. One example of this is the J20 SuperElit league in Sweden or the Minor Hockey League in Russia. Such leagues are sometimes dubbed major junior hockey leagues.

The lack of an amateur draft in Europe, other than in Russia, means that the onus is on the teams to sign the most talented young players they can get, and the presence of an affiliated junior team provides a place for young players who aren't yet ready for the rigors of the professional game to develop. However, not all players on a European junior team are necessarily the property of their professional club, and may elect to sign elsewhere.