On Wednesday, the WHL and OHL followed the lead set by the QMJHL 24 hours earlier and called off the rest of their respective regular seasons, effectively putting an end to non-playoff hockey in the CHL.
The move came amid the global coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, which has forced the postponement or outright cancellation of several dozen leagues and competitions across the global sporting spectrum. For Canada's three major junior hockey leagues, the regular season was already coming close to an end as all teams were within seven games of completing their 68-game campaigns.
With everything up in the air as the world tries to stem the spread of the coronavirus, there's no telling if or when the major junior leagues will be able to stage their playoffs — and whether the Memorial Cup tournament will proceed as planned.
MORE: What would the Stanley Cup playoffs look like if they started today?
None of the CHL's three regional leagues have indicated any plan to postpone or cancel their playoffs, so with that in mind here's how the first round of the WHL, OHL and QMJHL playoffs would look if they started today:
WHL
Eastern Conference
Edmonton Oil Kings (C1) vs. Saskatoon Blades (WC2)
The Oil Kings were on the way to replicating their top-spot finish in the Central Division before the regular season was canceled, and they were gearing up for a showdown with second-place wild card Saskatoon. The Blades may have caught Calgary for the No. 1 wild-card berth had the season played out, but the Hitmen have a slightly higher PPG through the completed games.
Prince Albert Raiders (E1) vs. Calgary Hitmen (WC1)
The Raiders were sitting pretty with a five-point lead atop the East Division, while the Hitmen had a near-impossible hill to climb if they wanted an easier first-round matchup.
Medicine Hat Tigers (C2) vs. Lethbridge Hurricanes (C3)
These two teams seemed fated to meet in the first round, as the next-best Central team (Calgary) was six points out with one more game played.
Winnipeg ICE (E2) vs. Brandon Wheat Kings (E3)
Only a single point separated these squads when the season prematurely ended, so Brandon could've grabbed home-ice advantage if all 68 games were played.
Western Conference
Portland Winterhawks (U1) vs. Seattle Thunderbirds (WC2)
The Winterhawks were embroiled in a bitter fight with the Everett Silvertips for the top spot in the U.S. Division — and the entire WHL — when play was halted. However, Portland's 97 points gave the 'Hawks the title of best in the league, and with it an intriguing all-Cascadia matchup with the Thunderbirds.
Kamloops Blazers (B1) vs. Kelowna Rockets (WC1)
Kamloops was as close to locking up the B.C. Division without mathematically doing so, and a meeting with its closest rival is the reward.
Everett Silvertips (U2), Spokane Chiefs (U3)
The Silvertips are good enough to be a top seed in every other division, while Spokane has acquitted itself well in a cut-throat group.
Vancouver Giants (B2) vs. Victoria Royals (B3)
The Royals collected more points prior to the stoppage, but the Giants have a higher PPG and thus would claim home-ice advantage over their cross-straight rival.
OHL
Eastern Conference
Ottawa 67's (1) vs. Kingston Frontenacs (8)
The 67's are once again on top of the East, this time by an even wider margin than the 21-point spread they enjoyed at the end of last year's regular season. If this were to happen, expect another sweep for Ottawa (which put together three of them in last season's playoffs).
Oshawa Generals (4) vs. Barrie Colts (5)
Even though these are the Nos. 4 and 5 seeds, there's a clear divide here as the Generals (1.18 PPG) are easily among the second-tier clubs in the OHL while Barrie (1.02 PPG) is the best of the rest.
Sudbury Wolves (2) vs. Hamilton Bulldogs (7)
The Bulldogs ended the shortened season on a four-game losing skid, and are only in the postseason picture because the bottom three teams are horrifically bad.
Peterborough Petes (3) vs. Mississauga Steelheads (6)
The Petes are the third seed despite having eight more points (with a game fewer) than second seed Sudbury. The divisional system is what it is.
Western Conference
London Knights (1) vs. Erie Otters (8)
The Knights have a 29-point advantage heading into this matchup. The Connor McDavid Otters, these are not.
Flint Firebirds (4) vs. Windsor Spitfires (5)
Only an hour separate these teams (plus the border), which will help the winner conserve energy for the beatdown that awaits them by London in Round 2.
Saginaw Spirit (2) vs. Owen Sound Attack (7)
The Attack won just a single playoff game last year, and they're hard-pressed to do so this time around.
Kitchener Rangers (3) vs. Guelph Storm (6)
The closest rivalry of all the teams in the postseason, this series would be a blast.
QMJHL
Eastern Conference
Moncton Wildcats (1) vs. Baie-Comeau Drakkar (8)
A classic first-round mismatch, Moncton had nearly as many regular season wins (50) as Baie-Comeau had points (59).
Cape Breton Eagles (4) vs. Charlottetown Islanders (5)
Another example where one place in the standings actually indicates a huge gap in quality. The Eagles were vastly better than Charlottetown this year.
Chicoutimi Saguenéens (2) vs. Quebec Remparts (7)
Patrick Roy's Remparts have a tall task trying to take down Chicoutimi, which ended the regular season on a six-game winning streak.
Rimouski Oceanic (3) vs. Saint John Sea Dogs (6)
Anything is possible, but it's highly unlikely that Saint John could best Alexis Lafreniere's Oceanic over seven games.
Western Conference
Sherbrooke Phoenix (1) vs. Gatineau Olympiques (8)
Sherbrooke has more than double Gatineau's point total, and the season ended early. That's really all you need to know about this matchup.
Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (4) vs. Victoriaville Tigres (5)
These teams are locked in a battle for home advantage, with just a point separating them after both had played 63 games, but the cancellation means the Huskies would host a Game 7.
Drummondville Voltigeurs (3) vs. Shawinigan Cataractes (6)
The Voltigeurs made it all the way to the semis last year before falling to Halifax. Drummondville will be motivated to go at least one round better this time