Boys hockey roadmap
Find the leagues that make sense for your family to research.
Choose a stage, region, or type of hockey. Open any league to see who it is for, how players get there, what to ask, and where to learn more.
Before you use the guide
This is general information. We do not rank players, judge teams, contact coaches, collect data from other sites, or promise results.
Read the DisclaimerNarrow the list
32 league pages match your choices.
Stage
Region
Type
Step 1 / 6
Youth, AAA, and high school
The first big choices involve coaching, ice time, travel, school, and the amount of hockey a family can manage.
AAA
AAA / Tier I Youth Hockey
The highest youth club level in USA Hockey, with frequent travel, tournaments, and a demanding schedule.
High school
High School Hockey
Hockey tied to a player's school, either on its own or alongside club and seasonal programs.
Step 2 / 6
Prep and academy programs
Prep schools and academies combine hockey with school, and sometimes housing. The full experience and full cost both matter.
NEPSAC
NEPSAC Boys Prep Hockey
New England prep school hockey, where admission, tuition, school life, and the team all come with one decision.
CSSHL
Canadian Sport School Hockey League
A Canadian academy league that combines school, daily training, and games across several age groups.
Step 3 / 6
U.S. junior hockey
Junior teams can differ a lot in playing time, fees, housing, coaching, and help with college hockey.
USHL
United States Hockey League
USA Hockey's top junior league and a common option to NCAA Division I hockey.
NAHL
North American Hockey League
USA Hockey's Tier II junior league and a well known option toward college hockey.
NCDC
National Collegiate Development Conference
The highest junior division in the USPHL, with teams in the United States and Canada.
USPHL Premier
USPHL Premier
A large junior division whose teams vary widely in level, cost, travel, and player experience.
EHL
Eastern Hockey League
A junior league in the Northeast and Mid Atlantic with a strong focus on college hockey.
NA3HL
North American 3 Hockey League
A USA Hockey Tier III league in the same league family as the NAHL.
Step 4 / 6
Canadian major junior and Junior A
Major junior, the BCHL, and Junior A each have their own rules, costs, and effects on school and college options.
CHL
Canadian Hockey League
The organization that includes the WHL, OHL, and QMJHL major junior leagues.
WHL
Western Hockey League
A major junior league with teams across Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest.
OHL
Ontario Hockey League
A major junior league based mainly in Ontario, with a few teams in the United States.
QMJHL
Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League
A major junior league with teams in Quebec and Atlantic Canada.
BCHL
British Columbia Hockey League
An independent junior league with teams in British Columbia and Alberta.
AJHL
Alberta Junior Hockey League
A Junior A league in Alberta with teams across the province.
OJHL
Ontario Junior Hockey League
A large Junior A league with teams across Ontario and one in New York.
CCHL
Central Canada Hockey League
A Junior A league in Ottawa and the surrounding communities of Eastern Ontario.
SJHL
Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League
A Junior A league with community teams across Saskatchewan and one in Manitoba.
MJHL
Manitoba Junior Hockey League
A Junior A league with teams throughout Manitoba.
SIJHL
Superior International Junior Hockey League
A smaller Junior A league in northwestern Ontario and nearby parts of the United States.
NOJHL
Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League
A Junior A league in Northern Ontario with teams near the Michigan border.
QJHL
Quebec Junior Hockey League
Quebec's Junior AAA league, also known by its French abbreviation LHJAAAQ.
MHL
Maritime Junior Hockey League
A Junior A league in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island.
Step 5 / 6
College hockey
College hockey includes varsity and club teams. The school, cost, campus, and roster spot all deserve equal attention.
NCAA D1
NCAA Division I Men's Hockey
The most selective varsity college hockey level in the United States.
NCAA D3
NCAA Division III Men's Hockey
Varsity college hockey where academics, admission, cost, and playing time all matter.
ACHA
American Collegiate Hockey Association
College club hockey with several men's divisions and hundreds of teams.
U SPORTS
U SPORTS Men's Hockey
Varsity university hockey at schools across Canada.
Step 6 / 6
Professional and minor pro outcomes
A look at professional hockey for older players and for families who want to understand what comes after college or junior.
AHL
American Hockey League
The main professional development league directly below the NHL.
ECHL
ECHL
A professional league below the AHL with teams in the United States and Canada.
SPHL
SPHL
An independent professional league with teams in the South and Midwest.
FPHL
Federal Prospects Hockey League
A lower minor professional league for adult players trying to continue in hockey.