Breaking the Norm of Adult Hockey Since 2006

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.