Senior hockey refers to amateur or semi-professional ice hockey competition. These leagues operate under the jurisdiction of Hockey Canada or USA Hockey and are not affiliated with professional hockey leagues.
From the early 1900s until the 1970s, senior hockey was immensely popular across Canada, especially in rural towns. However, its popularity declined in the 1980s and 1990s, leading to the disappearance of many long-running leagues and teams.
Player Tiers in Recreational Adult Hockey Leagues
In most recreational adult hockey leagues, players are grouped by skill level using tiers. These tiers, however, aren’t universal and may vary from place to place.
Player tiers are used in leagues or at specific rinks when there are many players with varying skill levels. If the player population in your region is on the smaller side, or there is only one rink, these tiers may not apply. But when these tiers do apply, the goal is to give every player the opportunity to have fun and play with others at their own skill level.
For example, if you are a new player, you will likely have more fun with other new players than you would with ex-pros who shut you out. And it works in the opposite direction as well.
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Common Ranking Systems
The most common form of rec league player tiering is the ABCD+ ranking. There can be more than four tiers, but we’ll stick with A through D, with A being the highest and D being the lowest.
Keep in mind that these tiers are not definitive. An A or B player in one league may not be the same as in another.
A-League
Players in A-League are often former pros, semi-pros, or high-level collegiate players. Something to keep in mind about this tier is that you generally aren’t going to move up into it from a lower tier over time. These players have put in an extreme amount of time and effort to hone their skills.
B-League
Those found in B-League may have played ice hockey in college or high school and have been playing ever since. They know the ins-and-outs of the game like the back of their hand and can perform all of the high-leveled maneuvers and strategies.
C-League
If you have been playing ice hockey for much of your adult life, then you’re probably in C-League in most regions. Players in this league have a solid grasp on the fundamentals, including multiple shooting styles, skating backward, and stopping from a sprint. For most players, this tier is going to be the upper limit for their skill.
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D-League
D-League is for newer players and those who aren’t quite as skilled at the sport. To join a rec league at all, you should already know the basics - shooting, skating, stopping. However, skills beyond these aren’t guaranteed at this level. If you are new to hockey, this will be the league you will start in. And while it’s possible to move up to C-League, if you don’t play or practice very often, you will likely remain here.
Age Bracket Leagues
Many ice hockey leagues, including Shinny USA, also have over 45 or other age bracket leagues for older players. These leagues are not necessarily below the other leagues in skill level though. You may find players in them from D up through A-League all playing together.
Shinny USA doesn’t necessarily use the ABCD+ ranking system for player tiers. This is because most of the rinks we play at only have one sheet of ice. However, rink captains do take player skill level into consideration when setting teams in an effort to create balance.
Player tiers in recreational hockey leagues are used to match players up with and against others who are similarly skilled. This helps make games balanced and more enjoyable for everyone involved. These tiers generally follow an ABCD+ format, with A being the highest.
Whether you’re a parent who recently got into hockey after watching your kid’s games or a seasoned veteran of the sport, there’s a place for you at Shinny USA.
Read also: The story of Craig Needham
Additional Skill Levels
- Level 1: Players/Goalies at this level are becoming more comfortable on their skates but still have a hard time with skating both forward and backwards.
- Level 3: Players/Goalies are the great wide middle of adult recreational hockey.
- Level 3.5: Players/Goalies at this level are comfortable in a fast paced game and are able to keep up with the play.
- Level 4: Players/Goalies have substantial hockey abilities, skills, knowledge and experience.
- Level 4.5: Players/Goalies at this level play at a high level in all areas of the game.
- Level 5: Players/Goalies at this level play at a high level in all areas of the game.
Ice Hockey Skills - Finnish Warm Up Skills Series
Equipment Requirements
All players must wear team uniforms of approved design and color, including helmets, sweaters, pants, and skates. Each player must have an individual number at least 10 inches high on the back of their jersey, along with their surname.
Sticks must be made of League-approved materials and cannot have projections. A player's stick cannot be more than 63 inches long or have a blade more than 12.5 inches from the heel.
Types of Penalties
Penalties in hockey are assessed for various infractions. Here's a breakdown of the different types of penalties:
- Rule 15 - Calling of Penalties: The Referee will immediately stop play and call a penalty if the offending team has control of the puck.
- Rule 16 - Minor Penalties: A minor penalty results in the penalized player being removed from the ice for two minutes.
- Rule 17 - Bench Minor Penalties: A bench minor penalty is for two minutes and is served by any player (except a goalkeeper) designated by the coach.
- Rule 18 - Double-minor Penalties: A double-minor penalty is for four minutes.
- Rule 19 - Coincidental Penalties: When an equal number of penalties are assessed to both teams at the same time, immediate substitutions are made so that the on-ice strength of the teams remains unchanged.
- Rule 20 - Major Penalties: A major penalty results in the offender being ruled off the ice for five minutes with no substitution allowed during that time.
- Rule 21 - Match Penalties: A match penalty is imposed for a deliberate attempt to injure an opponent.
- Rule 22 - Misconduct Penalties: A misconduct penalty removes a player from the ice for ten minutes.
- Rule 23 - Game Misconduct Penalties: A game misconduct penalty results in the player's removal for the remainder of the game, but a substitute is permitted.
- Rule 24 - Penalty Shot: A penalty shot is awarded when a lost scoring opportunity needs to be restored due to a specific infraction.
Officials
- Rule 31 - Referees: Referees have general supervision of the game and full control over all game officials and players.
- Rule 32 - Linespersons: Linespersons are generally responsible for calling violations of off-side and icing.
Physical Infractions
- Rule 41 - Boarding: A penalty is imposed for checking or pushing an opponent in a manner that causes them to violently or dangerously hit the boards.
- Rule 42 - Charging: A penalty is imposed on a player who, as a result of distance traveled, violently checks an opponent.
- Rule 43 - Checking from Behind: A major penalty is assessed for cross-checking, pushing, or charging an opponent from behind who is unable to protect themselves.
- Rule 46 - Fighting: Fighting is defined as a player repeatedly punching an opponent or wrestling in a manner that prevents officials from intervening.
Restraining Infractions
- Rule 54 - Holding: A minor penalty is imposed on a player who holds an opponent with his hands, arms, or legs.
- Rule 55 - Hooking: A minor penalty is imposed on a player who uses their stick to restrain an opponent.
- Rule 57 - Tripping: A minor penalty is imposed on a player who causes an opponent to trip or fall using their stick, knee, foot, or arm.
Stick Infractions
- Rule 58 - Butt-ending: A major penalty and a game misconduct are imposed on a player who butt-ends an opponent.
- Rule 59 - Cross-checking: A minor or major penalty is imposed for using the stick shaft between two hands to forcefully check an opponent.
- Rule 60 - High-sticking: A minor penalty is assessed for any contact made by a stick on an opponent above the shoulders.
- Rule 61 - Slashing: A minor or major penalty is imposed for swinging a stick at an opponent.
- Rule 62 - Spearing: A major penalty and a game misconduct are imposed for stabbing an opponent with the point of the stick blade.
Other Infractions
- Rule 63 - Delaying the Game: A minor penalty is imposed on any player who deliberately causes a stoppage in play.
- Rule 64 - Diving / Embellishment: A minor penalty is assessed to any player who blatantly dives, embellishes a fall, or feigns an injury to draw a penalty.
Game Flow
- Rule 76 - Face-offs: All face-offs are conducted at one of the nine face-off spots on the ice.
- Rule 77 - Game and Intermission Timing: A game consists of three 20-minute periods with an 18-minute intermission between periods.
- Rule 79 - Icing: Icing occurs when a player shoots the puck from their own half of the ice past the opponent's goal line.
- Rule 80 - Off-side: Players of the attacking team cannot precede the puck into the attacking zone.
- Rule 81 - Overtime: In the regular season, if the game is tied after three periods, a 5-minute overtime period is played with each team having three skaters.
- Rule 82 - Playoff Format and Clear Cup Hosting: The playoff format is designed to ensure a Clear Cup champion is crowned.
The Mountain Hockey League (MHL)
The Mountain Hockey League (MHL) is a semi-professional "Sr 'A'" hockey league created by and for hockey players. With a mission to foster community pride, the MHL brings high-quality, full-check hockey to small towns and new markets across North America. The league's season runs all winter long, culminating in the Clear Cup Presented by: Bladetech.
Master’s League
Unlike the Co-ed Adult League (SIAHL), the Master’s League is managed and operated by Sharks Ice Staff. The Master’s League is composed of two age-specific Divisions: Over 35; Over 50.
Over 35 play weekly on Tuesday night and Over 50 play weekly on Thursday nights.
Registration for the Master’s League is done via our online registration and payment system, DaySmart. All players register as individuals and pay fees before the first game. All players must have USA Hockey number/insurance (available through USA Hockey) and an SIAHL waiver.
The intention of the League is not to win the division title, or the Hart Trophy (League MVP), it is to provide players over the age of 35 a safe, competitive an fun hockey environment.
The Master’s League is based on camaraderie and getting some exercise. To curb any extracurricular activity on the ice, any player who receives 2 penalties in as single game is immediately ejected.
United States Hockey League (USHL)
The United States Hockey League (USHL) is the top junior ice hockey league sanctioned by USA Hockey. The league consists of 16 active teams located in the Midwestern United States and Great Plains, for players between the ages of 16 and 21.
The USHL is the country's top sanctioned junior hockey league, classified as Tier I. Teams are subject to strict roster rules. In 2017-18 they may have no more than four overage skaters (players who have turned 20 in the first year of the season) and are limited to a maximum of five import players, three international players and two Canadian skaters.
USHL teams, typically located in mid-sized cities, pay for all uniforms and equipment. Players live with local families, who receive a small stipend for food expenses, and either continue school or work part-time jobs.
The USHL Draft is an annual event conducted in two "phases" during the second week of May. The first phase is an eight-round draft of U-17 players for the upcoming season. The second phase of the draft is open to all players eligible to play junior hockey who are not already protected by a USHL team.
The United States Hockey League was established as the American Amateur Hockey League in 1947 and began play for the 1947-48 season. When the league began operations it had five teams in and around the Twin Cities arena along with a team in Rochester.
The league's last season as a senior hockey league was 1978-79. During this final season the league comprised seven teams in two conferences.
Here's a table summarizing the evolution of the USHL through various names and configurations:
| Years | League Name |
|---|---|
| 1947-1952 | American Amateur Hockey League |
| 1952-1953 | Central Hockey League |
| 1953-1955 | Minnesota Hockey League |
| 1956-1960 | United States Central Hockey League |