No ex-collegiate players in the novice games, no intermediate teams in the advanced league; it’s just one of the many things that make us different from other leagues.

This principle value is part of what we do to put you, the player, first. Welcome to hockey, redefined.

We work hard to ensure that StinkySocks Hockey games include players of the same skill levels. Although we have safeguards in place to monitor the skill levels of players, we rely on players to register for leagues and games at their appropriate skill levels. If we find this not to be the case, we will address this with the player and move them into the league or skate most appropriate for their skill level, ensuring the StinkySocks Hockey experience remains a great one for the rest of the players. We group players strictly based on their skill levels and not age nor sex.

We’ve created a guide to help you determine which skill level is most appropriate for you. We realize that this can sometimes be a moving target, but hope that these general guidelines assist you in landing in the right game from the start. Regardless of where you land, you can always expect find a welcoming environment.

Our Skill Levels

Hockey Skills / Instructions

The skills level is an instructional level geared to helping hockey players develop the fundamentals of the game. It is intended for players getting back into the game or just learning to play hockey. The skills level is also great for players at the novice and lower intermediate levels looking to move to the next skill level. We customize the instructional programming to your ability as we have a low player to instructor ratio.

Novice - Level 1, 2, and 3 Players

Players at this level are within the first five years of their adult hockey experience. This level also may be appropriate for players who have been playing longer as adults but had never played at all until they were adults. It’s a great launching pad for players who have not played hockey since childhood.

A level 1 player is someone who is on the ice playing organized hockey for the first time. A level 2 player would typically be someone who played as a child but not in high school and has been off the ice for a good amount of time. A level 3 player is typically someone who has 2+ years of adult experience.

The commonality is that players at the novice level are typically working on two to four of the following hockey fundamentals: shooting, passing, skating and body control.

Lower Intermediate - Level 3 and 4 Players

This is a transitional skill level, bridging the gap between the novice and intermediate skill levels. It is not a mix of intermediate (covering levels 4, 5, and 6) and novice (covering levels 1, 2, and 3) players, but rather a combination of high novice (level 3) and low intermediate (level 4) players.  It provides a proper environment so that high novice (level 3) players can play with the level 4 players on the lower side of the intermediate level, without being exposed to level 5 and 6 players that would create a stark contrast.

This is a skill level that’s most appropriate for players who haven’t played hockey since high school and are getting back into the game after some time off the ice. Players at the lower intermediate level can also be working on at least one of the following hockey fundamentals: shooting, passing, skating and body control. This is also a great fit for our older intermediate players, those who did play in high school or have the equivalent experience, who are now looking for a more mellow game.

Intermediate - Level 4, 5, and 6 Players

Players at this skill level typically have played high school hockey, or embody the equivalent experience due to age, athleticism, or thorough experience as an adult. A level 5 player is typically someone in their 30’s with high school experience, where level 4 would be someone older, and level 6 someone who’s younger. Players at this level make good passes, shoot reasonably well, have solid puck control, and maintain good body control.

This level generally excludes anyone who has experience beyond organized high school hockey, although age or other life factors may qualify them.

Upper Intermediate - Level 6 and 7 Players

This skill level is a mix of mid to high intermediate (level 6) and/or lower to mid advanced (level 7) players. It is not a mix of all intermediate (levels 4-6) and advanced (levels 7-9) players.

Players at this level can move the puck well, make solid passes, shoot accurately, have a good hockey sense, and are comfortable with a fast moving game. It is usually the best fit for younger players who have had solid high school experience, as well as any player who has played club-level hockey in college, or has the equivalent experience.

This level generally excludes anyone who has experience beyond the college club level, although age or other life factors may qualify them.

Advanced - Level 7, 8, and 9 Players

Advanced level players range from those who are younger with solid high school hockey and club hockey experience through those with collegiate experience, or the equivalent. A level 8 player is typically someone in their 30’s with college experience, where level 7 would be someone older, and level 9 someone who’s younger. This is a fast game for advanced hockey players only.

This level generally excludes anyone who has D1 collegiate experience, although age or other life factors may qualify them.

Expert - Level 9+

Players at this level have typically played D1 college hockey and may have had professional hockey experience. Players at this level MUST have at least high level collegiate experience. If they have college experience other than D1, they typically have consistently played hockey since college and are still under the age of 30.

Mixed Levels - Lower, Mid, Upper

Our mixed levels are slightly more broad range, offered so that players of slightly different ability levels have the opportunity to skate together when they normally their levels would not overlap.

Mixed Lower Level (Levels 2-4)
Mixed Mid Level (Levels 3-6)
Mixed Upper Level (Levels 5-9)

Skill Level Policy

We work hard to monitor and enforce the level expectations that our players have. That all begins with the honesty of players in selecting games and leagues that are appropriate to their skill level. Please check out our Rules and Policies for more details on our Appropriate Skill Level Policy and what to do if you find yourself in a game that is not of the right level.

If you are still not sure what skill level you should play, feel free to contact us online or call us at 617-440-PUCK talk through what the best fit will be based on your experience, age, and other factors.

For those looking for the ultimate combination of both schedule flexibility and game consistency, No Commitment Hockey allows you to book games or skills clinics that have availability whenever you’d like. Get on the ice seven nights a week or once a year, the frequency is up to you.