Following the Greater Boston Upper Level Draft League’s success, StinkySocks Hockey is excited for the upcoming season of the Greater Boston Lower Level Draft League. The 2025 Fall/Early Winter season gets started on October 15, 2025.

Level

The Greater Boston Lower Level Draft League is open to all players who are at levels 2 through 4, which overlaps our novice (except for level 1) and lower intermediate levels. This level range generally excludes anyone who has high school level experience or above. The novice and lower intermediate skill ranges are defined below.

Evaluation Skate

There is no eval skate for this level. All players will be drafted by captains based on known and self-assessed skill level, with trades being made in the first few weeks to ensure parity.

Live Draft Event

The live draft event (optional attendance) will take place at 8 PM on Monday, October 13, 2025, at Aeronaut Brewing Co. in Somerville.

What To Expect

Games

  • 14 guaranteed regular-season games
  • 2 guaranteed post-season games
  • 2 additional No Commitment Hockey games for skaters who already have a SSH jersey

Live Draft Party

The live draft event (optional attendance) will take place at 8 PM on Monday, October 6, 2025 at Aeronaut Brewing in Somerville.

Professional Photo Coverage

Professional photo coverage, provided by Bruins Daily Periodic, posted to our Facebook page.

Jerseys

StinkySocks Hockey Reversible Jersey for skaters

  • can be upgraded to a StinkySocks Hockey Lace-Up Jersey Set for the difference in cost ($25).
  • (2) vouchers, each for a free No Commitment Hockey game, for skaters who already have a SSH jersey.

StinkySocks Hockey Lightweight Performance Goalie Jersey for new goalies

Additional Benefits

Additionally, all Draft League players qualify for StinkySocks Hockey full time player benefits that include discounts on games and merchandise.

Season

2025 Fall/Early Winter

Total Games

16 (guaranteed)
Guaranteed games are inclusive of playoff games. Teams that do not make or progress in the playoffs will still play the number of guaranteed games. There will generally be one game weekly.

Cost

$430 based on 16 guaranteed games. Goalies play for free.

Dates, Days & Times

Dates

Approximate Start Date
10/08/2025

Approximate End Date
02/11/2026

Day(s) of Week

Wednesdays

Approximate Start Times

9:30PM and 10:30PM

Game Duration

Games are 50 minutes, with (3) running time periods of 15 minutes each.

Additional Details

No games on 11/26, 12/24, and 12/31.

Level Guidance

Novice (Levels 1-3)

The Novice level is designed for players in the early stages of their adult hockey journey—typically within their first five years of organized play. It also suits those who may have been playing longer as adults but never played hockey prior to adulthood. Additionally, it’s an ideal entry point for individuals returning to the sport after having only played in childhood.
A Level 1 player is generally new to organized hockey and skating in a team environment for the first time. Most players progress quickly out of level 1. Level 2 players often have some childhood experience but did not play in high school and have been away from the game since their organized experience. Level 3 players usually have at least two years of adult hockey experience under their belt. Across all levels within this novice category, players are typically developing fundamental skills in two to four key areas: shooting, passing, skating, and body control.

This level is intended for Level 1-3 players. While it’s open to that range, leagues such as draft leagues, BYOT, and tournaments often trend toward the upper end of that spectrum due to cohesion and teams rostering the most competitive players eligible within this range.

Lower Intermediate (Levels 3-4)

The Lower Intermediate level is designed specifically for adults who began playing hockey as adults. Players at this level are typically still working on developing at least one of the core hockey skills, such as shooting, passing, skating, or body control. Players with any organized men’s high school-level hockey experience, or whose current playing ability is equivalent to that background, are NOT eligible at this level. However, exceptions may apply, such as in cases where a player has high school experience but has been away from the sport for 20+ years.

This level is intended for Level 3 and 4 players. While it’s open to that range, leagues such as draft leagues, BYOT, and tournaments often trend toward the upper end of that spectrum due to cohesion and teams rostering the most competitive players eligible within this range.

Intermediate (Levels 4-6)

The Intermediate level is for players who have men’s high school-level hockey experience or possess a comparable current skill level, whether due to their youth, athleticism, or adult playing background. Players who have participated in organized hockey beyond high school—such as juniors, college club, or prep—NOT eligible, unless they have been away from the game for 15 years+ or have other mitigating life circumstances.

This level typically includes Level 4, 5, and 6 players; Level 5 players are most often in their 30s with high school experience, while Level 4 players are older and Level 6 players tend to be younger. Participants at this level are able to make good passes, shoot effectively, maintain solid puck and body control, and demonstrate overall reliable hockey skills. Although the Intermediate level covers the full 4–6 range, leagues like draft leagues, BYOT, and tournaments often attract players from the higher end of this spectrum, as teams look to roster the most competitive eligible players available.

Upper Intermediate (Levels 6-7)

Players at the Upper Intermediate 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 juniors, prep, or college club. Players who have participated in organized hockey at the men’s college divisional level, or possess a comparable current skill level, are NOT eligible, unless they have been away from the game for 10 years+ or have other mitigating life circumstances.

This level is intended for Level 6 and 7 players. While it’s open to that range, leagues such as draft leagues, BYOT, and tournaments often trend toward the upper end of that spectrum due to cohesion and teams rostering the most competitive players eligible within this range.

Advanced (Levels 7-9)

The Advanced level includes players with solid experience beyond men’s high school hockey, those with collegiate-level backgrounds, or anyone with equivalent playing ability. While typically excluding former D1 college players, exceptions may be made for factors like age, time away from the game, or other personal circumstances.

Players in this range are generally classified as follows: a Level 8 player is usually in their 30s with college-level experience; Level 7 skews older and perhaps less active; while Level 9 includes younger, faster players at the higher end of the advanced skill spectrum. This is a high-tempo level designed strictly for advanced players.
This level is intended for Level 7-9 players. While it’s open to that range, leagues such as draft leagues, BYOT, and tournaments often trend toward the upper end of that spectrum due to cohesion and teams rostering the most competitive players eligible within this range.

Expert (Levels 9-10)

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.

Draft League Details

How the Draft Works

Registration is done individually, although you may request to be grouped together with one friend for the purposes of a rideshare. Each team will have up to 11 skaters and 1 goalie to result in enough players for a competitive game weekly.

New players must participate in an on-ice evaluation and are then drafted by established captains to create the best parity between teams. Existing players that captains are familiar with are not required to participate in an evaluation unless requested to do so.

Game Day - Rosters and Format

Only players who were drafted on a team are eligible to participate in any game. Each team will have up to 11 skaters and 1 goalie to result in enough players for a competitive game weekly. In the event that your goalie must miss a game, StinkySocks Hockey will place a goalie who is appropriate for the level as a fill-in.

All games have three periods of 15 minutes of running time. The last minute of the game is stopped time if the score is within one goal. No team timeouts are permitted. All minor penalties are 2 minutes in length. Major penalties result in ejection and offending players are subject to the conduct (aka “No Jerks”) policy of StinkySocks Hockey.

All practice and game pucks are provided by the league.

Officiating & Game Administration

You should expect two StinkySocks Hockey on-ice officials and one scorekeeper for each game.

A staff that’s invested leads to the best experience on ice. All officials and scorekeepers and managed directly with StinkySocks Hockey. Our staff members are more than just a set of stripes out on the ice. Each staff member is there because they meet our high standards for performance and proper game management, in accordance with our rules and policies.

Uniforms

All new players will be issued a StinkySocks Hockey reversible jersey in their first season, or they may upgrade to a pair of single-sided jerseys for the difference in cost. Be sure to have a look at the size chart for our jerseys and indicate your preference when you register.

Any player who already has a StinkySocks Hockey reversible jersey can instead opt to receive (2) vouchers, each of which can be redeemed for a free No Commitment Hockey game during the draft league season.

Rules & Policies

Please review the rules and policies that apply to this draft league. Most importantly, please familiarize yourself with our conduct (aka “No Jerks”) policy, which helps maintain an enjoyable playing environment.

Terms

RIGHT AND AGREEMENT TO PARTICIPATE

By registering for a StinkySocks Hockey Draft League, you are purchasing the non-transferable right to participate in the games that are stated to be a part of that league, and are on the schedule provided for the team on which you are “drafted” (assigned to) at the beginning of the season, provided that you meet the qualifications for eligibility. You agree to be bound by these terms and conditions and the rules and policies of the league. At any time during the season you, as an individual player, may be moved to any team in the same draft league for any reason that the league determines is necessary, including team parity within that league.

BEST EFFORT SERVICE PROMISES

We want every game to be perfect and our promise to you is that we’ll make every effort for that to happen. However, there are many variables involved in producing a game, some of which may be out of our direct control at times. As such, our Draft League games are offered as a “best effort” service. Experiences that are imperfect in the following areas are ineligible for compensation:

GOALIES – Although StinkySocks Hockey cannot guarantee two goalies for any game, we do everything in our power to ensure that there are two goalies scheduled. As a result of our goalie backfilling process, it is rare that there is a game that goes forward without two scheduled goalies. However, on occasion, we may not be able to replace a goalie who has called out or there may be a scheduled goalie who does not appear (no call/no show).

LEVELING – We make every effort to ensure that teams in our draft leagues are even and will make changes throughout the season to that end.

SERVICE GUARANTEES

GAME TIME – We guarantee that the scheduled ice block will be available for your Standard Game at or about the time scheduled. In the case that the facility is running behind, game start times may be delayed. In the case that a game is delayed more than 30 minutes or where a game is cannot be played (onsite cancelation), compensation in the form of a $10 promotional offer that can be used within 30 days towards an available Standard Game booked through No Commitment Hockey. This guarantee does not apply to any game that has been canceled in advance or if there is a circumstance beyond our control that prevents ice availability or safe operation of a game at the facility.

REFEREE (NOT VALID FROM 9/2021 UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE DUE TO KNOW STAFFING SHORTAGES) – We have two referees scheduled for every draft league game. In the case that the scheduled referee does not appear, compensation in the form of a $5 promotional offer will be issued before the season end, to be used within 30 days of issue towards an available Standard Game booked through No Commitment Hockey.

CANCELLATION OF DRAFT LEAGUE REGISTRATIONS

The purchase of a draft league can be canceled at any time up until 2 weeks prior to the date that the first game is scheduled for a full refund to the original form of payment. Draft league registrations are not otherwise refundable in part or whole for any reason, including injury or relocation.

MILITARY DEPLOYMENT BENEFIT – If you are an active military member and are deployed outside of the area during your season, you may cancel your season pass and receive a gift certificate in the full amount of the value of the remaining games when providing signed deployment orders. This is a regular gift certificate that does not have an expiration.

GAME TIME CHANGES

Your schedule may change at any time but will always be within the context of the days and times that are expected. In the event of a schedule change within seven days of the game, players will be notified at the email address on their original registration.

GAME CANCELLATIONS BY STINKYSOCKS HOCKEY

In rare cases, it is required for StinkySocks Hockey to cancel a scheduled game. In the event of a cancelation, we will make every attempt to contact players. To facilitate that, it is important to have current contact information on your original season pass order. Players are notified by text message, phone, and/or email. If you would like to be notified by text message (usually the quickest way to get out the message), please be sure that your primary phone number on your order is a number capable of receiving text messages.

Canceled games will be rescheduled and noted on your schedule.

WEATHER-RELATED CANCELLATIONS – Some games may be canceled in the event of weather. All weather-related decisions are deferred host facility as the entity in the best position to make a responsible decision based on the conditions in their area. Facilities may also deem it necessary to cancel a game if they are unable to provide a safe or otherwise usable playing surface.

Draft League Specific Rules & Policies

Rules of The Game

NCAA ice hockey rules will be enforced, with the following modifications.

GENERAL MODIFICATIONS

  • No checking
  • One strike rule on fighting: any involvement in a fight on or off the ice will result in a permanent lifetime ban from any and all StinkySocks hockey games, tournaments, leagues, etc.
  • Blue line icing will be enforced.
  • Ice blocks of 50 minutes will have a 3-minute warmup, (3) 15-minute running time periods, and one minute between periods. Ice blocks of 60 minutes will have a 5-minute warmup, (3) 17-minute running time periods, one minute between periods.
  • All time is running time except the last minute of the period, if the score is within one goal.
  • There are no timeouts allowed.
  • Two on ice officials and one scorekeeper are provided.

PLAYOFFS

There are single-elimination playoffs at the end of each season. Any team eliminated will still go on to play regular games to fulfill the total amount of games that they were guaranteed to have in their season.

The size of the division/league determines how many teams make the playoffs and how many weeks are reserved for them:

  • 7 or less teams: top 4 teams qualify, last 2 weeks reserved
  • 8 or more teams: top 8 teams qualify, last 3 weeks reserved

Points per game played for the regular season will be used to determine playoff-qualifying teams. Tie-breakers in order are:

  • Lowest penalty minutes
  • Most goals for
  • Fewest goals against

Additional modifications for playoff games:

  • The last two minutes of the third period are stopped time, regardless of the score.
  • A tie after regulation will result in a 5-minute (running time) overtime.
  • If the game is not decided after overtime, there will be a shootout. The shootout begins with a round of three shots per team, each from a different player. If the score remains tied thereafter, there will be rounds of a single shot per team until the game is decided. A player may not be chosen to shoot again until everyone all other players on their team have shot.

Rosters and Eligibility

Each team has up to 13 skaters and 1 goalie on their team’s roster.

Eligibility

All players must be registered and confirmed by the league office to be on the team’s active roster in order to be eligible to play.

To be eligible to play in any game, players must meet the following criteria:

  • Be registered and confirmed on their team’s roster
  • Have a waiver e-signed
  • Be wearing a StinkySocks Hockey registered to them.
  • Be a player in good standing, meaning the player is current on their dues and is not otherwise ineligible to participate in a StinkySocks Hockey game (admin hold, conduct case, etc)

Teams are not be allowed to bring in a player who is not registered and confirmed to be on their roster under any circumstance. Any team who found to have allowed a player to participate who was not on their eligible player roster, or misrepresents a player being a player who they are not, will have the game it occurs in considered a forfeit.

Fill-In Goalies

If you are a goalie who cannot make one of your games, please notify the league office as early as possible. We will place a goalie with your team for the game you can’t make who is appropriate for the level. Teams cannot place their own goalies.

Standings

Regular season points will be calculated on the following:

  • Win – 2 points
  • Tie – 1 point
  • Loss – 0 points

Tie breakers for playoff determination:

  1. Most wins
  2. Goal Differential
  3. Least amount of penalty minutes

Automatic Losses and Automatic Ties

AUTOMATIC LOSS

A team will automatically have a 1-0 loss in these cases:

  • There are not at least five or more skaters and/or no goalie by the end of the first period

A team who is expecting their goalie to show up may play the first period without a goalie, whereas those not expecting a goalie may accept a forfeit prior to the start of the game. They may not play an additional skater, may not have a skater play in the crease, and may not have any of the skaters play with goalie privileges. After a 1-0 loss is entered, a game will continue in a pickup format, with skaters being asked to change sides approximately every 10 minutes so that both teams have the opportunity to shoot on the goalie.

AUTOMATIC TIE

Team will automatically have a 0-0 tie in these cases:

  • When both teams appear without enough skaters and/or are missing a goalie.

Get Started

SKATERS

Register as a skater now for the Greater Boston Lower Level Draft League 2025 Fall/Early Winter Season

Register as a Skater

START A CONVERSATION

Think you’re a good fit but have questions? calling us at 617-440-7825.

Send a Message

GOALIES

Register as a goalie now for the Greater Boston Lower Level Draft League 2025 Fall/Early Winter Season

Register as a Goalie