The Canadian Interuniversity Athletic Union (CIAU) is arguably the most underrated league in North America. The CIAU is comprised of mostly ex Major Junior players as well as top Junior A players and this combination makes for highly skilled hockey. The league consists of eight divisions and has a total of 32 teams. The CIAU has a strong history of acting as a stepping stone for its players to the professional ranks in both North America and Europe. The CIAU allows its athletes the opportunity to study at some of the top Universities in the world while continuing to play hockey at a highly competitive level.