The United States Hockey League (USHL) is the top junior ice hockey league sanctioned by USA Hockey. The league consists of 16 active teams located in the midwestern United States, for players between the ages of 16 and 21. The USHL is strictly amateur, allowing former players to compete in NCAA college hockey. The Chicago Steel won the Anderson Cup as the 2020–21 regular season champions and the 2021 Clark Cup playoff championship; both were their second in franchise history.