kids encyclopedia robot

List of ice hockey leagues facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

This is a list of ice hockey leagues, both professional and amateur, from around the world; parentheses denote year of establishment and, where applicable, year of disestablishment.

Contents

North America

Men

Major professional

Minor professional

Semi-pro

Junior

Main article: Junior ice hockey
Major junior
Note: that the major junior level is considered professional by some authorities, including the NCAA, as its players earn a small stipend.
Junior A
Hockey Canada junior A leagues

Tier 2

    • Kootenay International Junior Hockey League
    • Pacific Junior Hockey League
    • Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League
USA Hockey junior leagues
Tier I
  • United States Hockey League (1979)
Tier II
  • North American Hockey League (1975)
Tier III
  • North American 3 Hockey League (1970) – formerly the Central States Hockey League
Independent junior leagues
  • British Columbia Hockey League (1961)
  • Can-Am Junior Hockey League (2022)
  • Eastern Hockey League (EHL and EHL Premier) (2013)
  • Greater Metro Junior A Hockey League (2006)
  • Royal Enfield Ice Hockey League (India) (2024)
  • Manitoba Major Junior Hockey League (1970)
  • National Junior Hockey League
  • United States Premier Hockey League (NCDC, Premier, and Elite) (2013)
    • National Collegiate Development Conference (2017)
Junior B
Hockey Canada junior B leagues
  • Calgary Junior Hockey League
  • Capital Junior Hockey League
  • Capital Region Junior Hockey League (2018)
  • Eastern Ontario Junior Hockey League formerly the Central Canada Hockey League Tier 2
  • Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League (OHA)
  • Heritage Junior B Hockey League
  • Island Junior Hockey League
  • Keystone Junior Hockey League formerly the Manitoba Junior B Hockey League
  • Lakehead Junior Hockey League formerly the Thunder Bay Junior B Hockey League
  • Ligue de Hockey de La Capitale *
  • Ligue de Hockey Chaudière-Appalaches Junior AA *
  • Ligue de Hockey Estrie-Mauricie Junior AA *
  • Ligue de Hockey Lac St. Louis Junior AA *
  • Ligue de Hockey Laurentides-Lanaudière Junior AA*
  • Ligue de Hockey Métropolitaine Junior AA * formerly the Richelieu Junior AA Hockey League
  • Ligue de Hockey Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean Junior AA *
  • New Brunswick Junior B Hockey League
  • North Eastern Alberta Junior B Hockey League
  • North West Junior Hockey League
  • Nova Scotia Junior Hockey League
  • Prairie Junior Hockey League formerly the South Saskatchewan Junior B Hockey League, merged with North Saskatchewan Junior B Hockey League
  • St. John's Junior Hockey League

(*) Quebec Junior "AA" is roughly equal to Ontario Junior "B"

Junior C
Hockey Canada junior C leagues
  • Calgary Junior C Hockey League
  • Hanover Tache Junior Hockey League
  • Ligue de Hockey Junior A Bois-Francs *
  • Ligue de Hockey Junior A Rive-Sud *
  • Ligue Interzone de hockey mineur BC Rive Nord (Junior A)
  • National Capital Junior Hockey League formerly the Eastern Ontario Junior C Hockey League
  • New Brunswick Junior B Hockey League
  • Noralta Junior Hockey League
  • Nova Scotia Regional Junior Hockey League
  • Prince Edward Island Junior C Hockey League formerly the Prince Edward Island Minor Junior Hockey League
  • Provincial Junior Hockey League (OHA) 2016-17 - Merging of the 8 Southern Ontario's Jr. C Leagues
  • Qu'Appelle Valley Hockey League formerly the Saskatchewan Junior C Hockey League

(*) Quebec Junior "A" is roughly equal to Ontario Junior "C"

Junior D
  • Ligue Interzone de hockey mineur BC Rive Nord (Junior B) (Canada) *

(*) Quebec Junior "B" is roughly equal to Ontario Junior "D"

College

Main article: College ice hockey
U Sports hockey (Canada)
Main article: U Sports men's ice hockey
  • U Sports (Canada, varsity)
    • Atlantic University Sport
    • Canada West Universities Athletic Association
    • Ontario University Athletics
    • Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec
  • Alberta Colleges Athletics Conference
  • British Columbia Intercollegiate Hockey League
NCAA hockey (United States)
NAIA hockey (United States)
  • National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (United States, varsity)
    • Wolverine–Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC)

Note: there are also independent teams outside of the WHAC.

ACHA and AAU College Hockey hockey (United States and Canada)
  • American Collegiate Hockey Association (United States; Canada)
    • Men's Division 1
      • Central States Collegiate Hockey League (CSCHL)
      • College Hockey Mid-America (CHMA)
      • Eastern Collegiate Hockey Association (ECHA)
      • Eastern States Collegiate Hockey League (ESCHL)
      • Great Lakes Collegiate Hockey League (GLCHL)
      • Northeast Collegiate Hockey League (NECHL)
      • Western Collegiate Hockey League (WCHL)
    • Men's Division 2
      • Atlantic Coast Collegiate Hockey League (ACCHL)
      • Colonial States College Hockey Conference (CSCHC)
      • Mid-American Collegiate Hockey Association (MACHA) (Gold Division)
      • Mid-Atlantic Collegiate Hockey Association (MACH)
      • Mountain West Collegiate Hockey League (MWCHL)
      • Northeast Collegiate Hockey Association (NECHA) (Patriot & American Conferences)
      • Northern Collegiate Hockey League (NCHL)
      • Pacific 8 Intercollegiate Hockey Conference (PAC-8)
      • Pacific Collegiate Hockey Association (PCHA)
      • Super East Collegiate Hockey League (SECHL)
      • Texas Collegiate Hockey Conference (TCHC)
      • Tri-State Collegiate Hockey League (TSCHL)
      • Upstate New York Club Hockey League (UNYCHL)
      • West Coast Hockey Conference (WCHC)
      • Western Collegiate Club Hockey Association (WCCHA)
    • Men's Division 3
      • Blue Ridge Hockey Conference (BRHC)
      • College Hockey Association (CHA) (Contains Non-ACHA members)
      • College Hockey East (CHE)
      • Delaware Valley Collegiate Hockey Conference (DVCHC)
      • Empire Collegiate Hockey Conference (ECHC)
      • Indiana Collegiate Hockey Conference (ICHC)
      • Mason-Dixon Collegiate Hockey Association (MDCHA)
      • Metropolitan Collegiate Hockey Conference (MCHC)
      • Michigan Collegiate Hockey Conference (MCHC)
      • Mid-American Collegiate Hockey Association (MACHA) (Silver division)
      • North Central Collegiate Hockey Association (NCCHA)
      • Northeast Collegiate Hockey Association (NECHA) (Colonial Conference)
      • College Hockey South (CHS)
      • Southern Collegiate Hockey Conference (SCHC)

Women

Professional

  • Professional Women's Hockey League (2023)
Amateur
  • Mid-Atlantic Women's Hockey League (1975)

Junior and youth

  • BC Elite Hockey League (BCEHL U18FAAA) (2007; formerly BCFMAAAHL)
  • Junior Women's Hockey League (JWHL) (2007)
  • Livonia Hockey Association
  • Ontario Women's Hockey League (OWHL) (2004)
  • Saskatchewan Female U18 AAA Hockey League (SFU18AAAHL) (2006; formerly SFMAAAHL)

College

NCAA (United States)
NAIA hockey
  • National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (United States)
    • Wolverine–Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC)

Note: there are also independent teams outside of the WHAC.

U Sports (Canada)
Main article: U Sports women's ice hockey
  • U Sports (1998)
    • Atlantic University Sport (AUS)
    • Canada West Universities Athletic Association (Canada West)
    • Ontario University Athletics (OUA)
    • Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec (RSEQ) (1999)
ACHA and AAU
  • American Collegiate Hockey Association (Canada, United States)
    • Division 1
      • Central Collegiate Women's Hockey Association (CCWHA Division I)
      • Eastern Collegiate Women's Hockey League (ECWHL)
      • Western Women's Collegiate Hockey League (WWCHL)
      • Women's Midwest College Hockey (WMCH)
    • Division 2
      • Central Collegiate Women's Hockey Association (CCWHA Division II)
      • College Hockey East (CHE)
      • Delaware Valley Collegiate Hockey Conference (DVCHC Women's)
      • Independent Women's Collegiate Hockey League (IWCHL)

Senior

Sanctioned by Hockey Canada or USA Hockey

Canada
  • Alberta
    • Allan Cup Hockey West (Alberta Sr. AAA) formerly the Chinook Hockey League
    • North Peace Hockey League (Alberta Sr. AAA)
  • Ontario
    • Allan Cup Hockey (Ontario Sr. AAA) (1953) formerly Major League Hockey
    • WOAA Senior AA Hockey League (Ontario Sr. AA and A) (1948) formerly the Western Ontario Athletic Association Senior Hockey League
    • Eastern Ontario Senior Hockey League
    • Western Ontario Super Hockey League
  • Quebec
    • Ligue Centrale de Hockey (Quebec Sr. AAA/semi-pro) (1990)
    • Ligue de hockey senior AAA du Québec (Quebec Sr. AAA/semi-pro)
  • Saskatchewan
    • Big 6 Hockey League (Saskatchewan Sr. AAA)
    • Highway Hockey League (Saskatchewan Sr. AAA)
  • Newfoundland and Labrador
    • West Coast Senior Hockey League
    • Avalon East Senior Hockey League
  • Manitoba
    • Carillon Senior Hockey League
    • South Eastern Manitoba Hockey League
  • New Brunswick
    • Southern Senior Hockey League
    • Beausejour Senior Hockey League
United States
  • Great Lakes Hockey League (1937)
  • Mountain West Hockey League (2012)

School and youth

  • Central States Developmental Hockey League
  • Manitoba Midget 'AAA' Hockey League
  • United States Premier Hockey League (2013)
  • Ontario Minor Hockey Association
  • Greater Toronto Hockey League
  • Nova Scotia U18 Major Hockey League

High school

  • Delaware Scholastic Hockey Association
  • Interscholastic Hockey League
  • Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA)
    • Super Eight (hockey)
  • Midwest Prep Hockey League
  • Minnesota State High School League boys hockey
  • Missouri high school hockey
    • Mid-States Club Hockey Association (MSCHA)
    • Mid America High School Hockey League (MAHSHL)
  • New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association
  • New York high school hockey
    • New York State Public High School Athletic Association (varsity)
  • North Dakota High School Activities Association
  • Northern Virginia Scholastic Hockey League
  • Ohio High School Athletic Association
  • Pennsylvania high school hockey
    • Penguins Cup
    • Flyers Cup
  • Washington high school hockey
  • West Virginia high school hockey (Penguins Cup)
  • Wisconsin high school hockey
    • Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association

Defunct leagues

  • All-American Hockey League (1987–1988)
  • All American Hockey League (2008–2011)
  • America East Hockey League (2005–2008)
  • Amateur Hockey Association of Canada (1886–1898)
  • American Amateur Hockey League (1896–1917)
  • American Hockey Association (1926–1942)
  • Atlantic Coast Hockey League (1981–1987)
  • Atlantic Coast Hockey League (2002–2003)
  • California Hockey League (1928–1933)
  • California Hockey League (1957–1963)
  • Canadian Amateur Hockey League (1899–1905)
  • Canadian–American Hockey League (1926–1936)
  • Canadian Elite Hockey League (2005–2006)
  • Canadian Hockey Association (1909–1910)
  • Canadian International Hockey League (2014) - played one season
  • Canadian Premier Junior Hockey League (2016-2022)
  • Canadian Women's Hockey League (2007–2019)
  • Central Ontario Junior C Hockey League (1970–2016) – became Orr Division of the PJHL
  • Canadian Professional Hockey League (1926–1930)
  • Central Hockey League (1963–1984)
  • Central Hockey League (1992–2014)
  • Central Ontario Hockey League (Unknown–1980)
  • Central Ontario Women's Hockey League (1992–1998)
  • Central West Junior Hockey League (relegated from Jr B in 2014 and became inactive)
  • College Hockey America men's division (NCAA Division I, 1999–2010; remains in operation as a women's only conference)
  • Colonial Hockey Conference (2015–2020; all programs in conference moved to Commonwealth Coast Conference)
  • Colored Hockey League (1895–1925)
  • Continental Elite Hockey League (2001–2004)
  • Continental Hockey League (1972–1987) – became All-American Hockey League
  • Eastern Amateur Hockey League (1933–1934, 1935–1948, 1949–1953)
  • Eastern Canada Amateur Hockey Association (1905–1909)
  • Eastern Canada Amateur Hockey League (1923–?)
  • Eastern Hockey League (1934–1935, 1954–1973, 1978–1981)
  • Eastern Junior Hockey League (1993–2013) – some teams split from the league to form the United States Premier Hockey League and the remaining teams joined the Eastern Hockey League
  • Eastern Junior B Hockey League (1951–1972)
  • Eastern Ontario Senior Hockey League (2003–2008)
  • Eastern Professional Hockey League (2008–2009)
  • Eastern Professional Hockey League (1914–1915, 1959–1963)
  • Eastern States Hockey League (2003–2013) formerly the Continental Hockey Association 2003–2011
  • EJHL South (2006–2013; formerly the Southeastern Junior Hockey League) – affiliated with the Eastern Junior Hockey League from 2011–2013 before merging with the United States Premier Hockey League as the Elite Division
  • Empire Junior Hockey League (c. 1999–2013) – merged with the United States Premier Hockey League as the Empire Division
  • Empire B Junior C Hockey League (1989–2016) – became Tod Division of the PJHL
  • Federal Amateur Hockey League (1904–1909)
  • Georgian Mid-Ontario Junior C Hockey League (19??-2016) – became Carruthers Division of the PJHL
  • Global Hockey League (proposed league in 1990; did not play)
  • Great Lakes Junior Hockey League (2008–2012)
  • Great Lakes Junior C Hockey League (1968–2016) – became Bill Stobbs Division of the PJHL
  • Great West Hockey Conference (NCAA Division I, 1985–1988)
  • Gulf Coast Hockey League (2001–2002)
  • International-American Hockey League (1936–1941) - became American Hockey League
  • International Independent Hockey League (2003)
  • International Hockey League (1929–1936)
  • International Hockey League (1945–2001)
  • International Professional Hockey League (1904–1907)
  • Interprovincial Amateur Hockey Union (1908–1914)
  • Interprovincial Professional Hockey League (1910–1911)
  • Ligue Centrale de Hockey (1978–2008)
  • Ligue de Hockey Junior de Montréal (1976–
  • Major Intermediate A Hockey League (1978–1983)
  • Manitoba Hockey Association (1907–1909; formerly Manitoba Professional Hockey League and the Manitoba Hockey League)
  • Maritime Major Hockey League (1950–1954)
  • Maritime Professional Hockey League (1911–1914)
  • Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (NCAA Division I, 1997–2003; conference remains in operation as an all-sports league without ice hockey)
  • Metro Junior A Hockey League (1991–1998) – merged with Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League
  • Metropolitan Junior Hockey League (1966–2017) – played last season as the North American 3 Atlantic Hockey League (2016–17) and the remaining teams joined the Eastern Hockey League
  • Mid-Atlantic Hockey League (2007–2008)
  • Midwest Junior Hockey League (2012–2015) – merged with United States Premier Hockey League
  • Midwestern Junior C Hockey League (2013–2016) – became Pat Doherty Division of the PJHL
  • Minnesota Junior Hockey League (1974-2015) – merged with United States Premier Hockey League
  • National College Prospects Hockey League (2016–2017) – folded after one season and was AAU sanctioned
  • National Hockey Association (1909–1917)
  • National Women's Hockey League (1999-2007)
  • Niagara & District Junior C Hockey League (1974–2016) – became Bloomfield Division of the PJHL
  • North American 3 Eastern Hockey League (2012–2016; formerly the Northern States Hockey League, 2012–2014) - merged with North American 3 Hockey League
  • North American Hockey League (1973–1977)
  • Northeast Women's Hockey League (NCAA Division III, 2017–2023) – conference was absorbed by SUNYAC in 2023
  • North Eastern Hockey League (2003–2008)
  • North of Superior Junior B Hockey League (1996–2004)
  • North West Hockey League (1933–1936)
  • Northern Junior Hockey League (2008–2010; formerly United Junior Hockey League)
  • Northern Pacific Hockey League (2000–2016) – folded and remaining teams joined the United States Premier Hockey League
  • Northern States Junior Hockey League (2012–2014) - became the North American 3 Eastern Hockey League
  • Northwest Junior Hockey League (1992–2004)
  • Ontario Professional Hockey League (1907–1911, 1930–1931)
  • Original Stars Hockey League (2004)
  • Ottawa City Hockey League (1890–1957)
  • Pacific Coast Hockey Association (1911–1924)
  • Pacific Coast Hockey League (1928–1931, 1936–1941, 1945–1952)
  • Pacific Junior A Hockey League (1971–1979)
  • Pacific Hockey League (1977–1979)
  • Pacific Hockey League (1994–1995)
  • Prairie Hockey League (1926–1928)
  • Premier Hockey Federation (2015–2023; formerly National Women's Hockey League, 2015–2021)
  • Quebec Hockey League (1952–1959)
  • Quebec Senior Hockey League (1945–1952)
  • Rocky Mountain Junior Hockey League (1975-1999; also known as Peace Junior B Hockey League and Peace-Cariboo Junior Hockey League, 1975–1991)
  • Rocky Mountain Junior Hockey League (2015–2018)
  • South East Hockey League (2003–2004)
  • Southern Elite Hockey League (1998–2000)
  • Southern Hockey League (1973–1977)
  • Southern Hockey League (1995–1996)
  • Southern Ontario Junior A Hockey League (1972–1976) – merged with Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League
  • Southern Ontario Junior Hockey League (1960–2016) – became Yeck Division of the PJHL
  • Southwest Hockey League (1975–1977)
  • Sunshine Hockey League (1992–1995)
  • Tri-State Hockey League (1932–1933)
  • Tri-State League (NCAA Division I, 1950–1972)
  • Tropical Hockey League (1938–1939)
  • United Hockey League (1991–2010; formerly Colonial Hockey League, 1991–1997, and International Hockey League, 2007–2010)
  • United States Hockey League (1945–1951)
  • USA Central Hockey League (2018)
  • Western Canada Hockey League (professional) (1921–1925)
  • Western Canada Hockey League (minor pro) (1932–1933)
  • Western Canada Senior Hockey League (1945–1951)
  • Western Ontario Junior C Hockey League (1966-2016; formerly Western Junior C Hockey League, 1966–1970; Central Junior C Hockey League, 1970–1980; and the Grey-Bruce Junior C Hockey League, 1980–1988) – became Pollock Division of the PJHL
  • West Coast Hockey League (1995–2003)
  • Western Canada Hockey League (1921–1926; known as Western Hockey League, 1925–1926)
  • Western Hockey League (1952–1974)
  • Western International Hockey League (1946–1962, 1963–1988)
  • Western Professional Hockey League (1996–2001)
  • Western States Hockey League (1994-2022)
  • Western Women's Hockey League (2004–2011)
  • World Hockey Association (1972–1979)
  • World Hockey Association 2 (2003–2004)
  • World United Hockey League (2014–2015)
  • WHA Junior Hockey League (2006–2008)

South America

  • Brazilian Ice Hockey Championship (2008–2010)

Africa

  • South Africa
    • Gauteng Premier Hockey League (c. 2005)
    • Western Province Ice Hockey League (c. 2002)

Asia

Multinational

  • Armenian Hockey League (2008–2009, c. 2016) – multinational league with teams from Armenia and Georgia
  • Asia League Ice Hockey (AL) (2003) – multinational professional league with teams from Japan and South Korea; teams from China and Russia have previously participated
  • European Women's Hockey League (EWHL) (2004) – multinational semi-pro league with teams from Austria, Hungary, Italy, Kazakhstan, Poland, and Slovakia; teams from Belarus, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, and Slovenia have previously participated
  • Kuwait Ice Hockey League (KIHL) (c. 2016) – multinational league with teams from Bahrain and Kuwait

Armenia

  • Armenian Hockey League (2008–2009, c. 2016) – multinational league with teams from Armenia and Georgia

China

Men

  • Chinese Ice Hockey Championship (1953)

Women

  • Chinese Women's Ice Hockey League (WCIHL) (2023)

Taiwan

  • Chinese Taipei Ice Hockey League

Hong Kong

  • China Ice Hockey League Hong Kong (CIHL HK) (2011)
  • Hong Kong Ice Hockey League (c. 1997)

India

  • Indian Ice Hockey Championship (c. 2005)

Israel

  • Israel Elite Hockey League (IEHL) (2020)
  • Israeli League (1990)

Japan

Men

  • All-Japan Championship (1930) – amateur cup tournament

Women

  • All-Japan Women's Ice Hockey Championship (1982) – amateur cup tournament
  • Women's Japan Ice Hockey League (WJIHL) (2012)

Defunct

  • Japan Ice Hockey League (1966–2004) – replaced by Asia League

Kuwait

  • Kuwait Ice Hockey League (KIHL) (c. 2016) – multinational league with teams from Bahrain and Kuwait

Kyrgyzstan

  • Kyrgyzstan Championship

Malaysia

  • Malaysia Ice Hockey League

Mongolia

  • Mongolia Hockey League

North Korea

  • North Korean Championship

Philippines

  • Philippine Hockey League
  • Philippine Minor Hockey League
  • Manila Ice Hockey League

Qatar

  • Qatar International Ice Hockey League

Singapore

  • Singapore National Ice Hockey League

Thailand

  • Thai World Hockey League

Turkmenistan

  • Turkmenistan Championship (2013)

United Arab Emirates

  • Emirates Ice Hockey League

Eurasia

  • European Women's Hockey League (EWHL) (2004) – multinational semi-pro league with teams from Austria, Hungary, Italy, Kazakhstan, Poland, and Slovakia; teams from Belarus, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, and Slovenia have previously participated
  • Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) (2008) - multinational professional league with teams from Belarus, China, Kazakhstan, and Russia; teams from Croatia, the Czech Republic, Finland, Latvia, Slovakia, and Ukraine have previously participated
  • Supreme Hockey League – multinational league with teams from China, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Uzbekistan

Europe

Multinational

  • Alps Hockey League (2016) – multinational league with teams from Austria, Italy, and Slovenia
  • Baltic Hockey League (2018) – multinational professional league with teams from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania
  • BeNe League (2015) – multinational professional league with teams from Belgium and the Netherlands
  • Champions Hockey League (2013) – multinational tournament featuring top teams from first-tier leagues across Europe, organized by the IIHF
  • Erste Liga (2008; formerly MOL Liga) – multinational league with teams from Hungary and Romania; teams from Serbia and Slovakia have previously participated
  • European Women's Hockey League (EWHL) (2004) – multinational semi-pro league with teams from Austria, Hungary, Italy, Kazakhstan, Poland, and Slovakia; teams from Belarus, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, and Slovenia have previously participated
  • German Women's Ice Hockey League (DFEL) (1988) – multinational league with teams from Germany and the Netherlands
  • ICE Hockey League (2005) – multinational league with teams from Austria, Hungary, Italy, and Slovenia
  • International Hockey League (IntHL) (2020) – multinational league with teams from Austria, Croatia, and Slovenia
  • Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) (2008) – multinational professional league with teams from Belarus, China, Kazakhstan, and Russia; teams from the Czech Republic, Croatia, Finland, Latvia, Slovakia, and Ukraine have previously participated

Defunct

  • Alpenliga (1991–1999) – multinational league with teams from Austria, Italy and Slovenia
  • Balkan League (1994–1997) – multinational league with teams from Bulgaria, Romania, and Serbia and Montenegro
  • Baltic League (2000–01) – single-season multinational league with teams from Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania
  • Carpathian League (1997–98) – single-season multinational league with teams from Croatia, Hungary, Poland, Serbia, and Slovakia
  • Champions Hockey League (2008–09) – single-instance, multinational tournament featuring top teams from the Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Russia, Slovakia, Sweden, and Switzerland, organized by the IIHF
  • Eastern European Hockey League (1995–2005) – multinational league with teams from Belarus, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia, and Ukraine
  • Interliga (1999–2007) – multinational professional league with teams from Austria, Croatia, Hungary, Poland, Serbia, Slovakia, and Slovenia; also known as the International Ice Hockey League
  • Inter-National League (2012–2016) – multinational league with teams from Austria, Italy, and Slovenia
  • North Sea Cup (2010–2012) – multinational professional league with teams from Belgium and the Netherlands; temporary successor of the Eredivisie
  • Panonian League (2002–2004, 2007–2009) – multinational league with teams from Croatia, Hungary, Romania, and Serbia
  • Slohokej League (2009–2012) – multinational league with teams from Austria, Croatia, Serbia, and Slovenia

Austria

Men

  • ICE Hockey League (1923; formerly Austrian Hockey League) – only Austrian teams participated prior to 2005; multinational league since 2005
  • Austrian Oberliga (1968)

Women

  • Women's Ice Hockey Bundesliga (DEBL) (1998)

Defunct

  • Austrian National League (1959–2012)

Belarus

  • Belarusian Extraleague (1993)

Belgium

Men

  • BeNe League (2015) – multinational professional league with teams from the Netherlands and Belgium

Defunct

  • Belgian Hockey League (1912–2015) – merged with Eredivisie to form the BeNe League

Bosnia and Herzegovina

  • Bosnia and Herzegovina Hockey League (BHHL) (2002)

Bulgaria

Men

  • Bulgarian Hockey League (1952)

Women

  • Bulgarian Women's Hockey League

Croatia

  • Croatian Ice Hockey League (1991)

Czech Republic

Men

Women

  • Czech Women's Extraliga (1989; formerly 1. liga ženského hokeje, 1989–2017)

Denmark

Men

  • Metal Ligaen (1954; also known as Superisligaen)

Women

  • KvindeLigaen (1989; also known as DM i ishockey for kvinder)

Estonia

  • Meistriliiga (EML) (1934; also known as Coolbet Hokiliiga)

Finland

Men

  • Liiga (1975; formerly SM-liiga, 1975–2013)
  • Mestis (2000)
  • Suomi-sarja
  • 2. Divisioona
Defunct
  • SM-sarja (1928–1975)
  • I-Divisioona (1974–2000)

Women

  • Naisten Liiga (NSML) (1982; previously called Naisten SM-sarja (NSMs), 1982–2017)
  • Naisten Mestis (2006; formerly Naisten I-divisoona, 2006–2012)
  • Naisten Suomi-sarja

France

Men

  • Ligue Magnus (1906)
  • FFHG Division 1 (1930)
  • FFHG Division 2 (1973)
  • FFHG Division 3 (1986)

Women

  • FFHG Féminin Élite (1986)

Georgia

  • Georgian Ice Hockey League (2007)

Germany

Men

Professional
Minor professional
  • DEL2 (2013)
Semi-pro
  • Oberliga (1948)
Amateur
  • Bavarian ice hockey leagues (1976)
  • Regionalliga (1961)

Women

  • German Women's Ice Hockey League (DFEL) (1988)

Defunct

  • Eishockey-Bundesliga (1958–1994) – replaced by DEL
  • 2nd Bundesliga (1973–2013) – replaced by DEL2

Greece

  • Greek Ice Hockey Championship (1989)

Hungary

  • OB I Bajnokság (1937)

Iceland

Men

  • Icelandic Men's Hockey League (1991)

Women

  • Icelandic Women's Hockey League (2000)

Ireland

Defunct

  • Irish Ice Hockey League (2007–2010)

Italy

Men

Semi-pro
  • Italian Hockey League - Serie A (1925; formerly Serie A, Elite.A, and Serie A1) – teams also compete in the Alps Hockey League
  • Italian Hockey League (1934; formerly Serie B, Seconda Divisione, and Serie A2)
Amateur
  • Italian Hockey League - Division I (2004; formerly Serie C)

Women

  • Italian Hockey League Women (IHLW) (1990; formerly Serie A)

Latvia

Men

  • Latvian Hockey Higher League (1931; also known as Optibet Hockey League)
Amateur
  • Independent Amateur Hockey League (1996)

Lithuania

  • Lithuania Hockey League (2010)

Luxembourg

Defunct

  • Luxembourg Championship (1993–2003)

The Netherlands

Men

Professional
  • BeNe League (2015) - multinational professional league with teams from the Netherlands and Belgium
Semi-pro
  • Eerste Divisie

Defunct

  • Eredivisie (1945–2015) – merged with Belgian Hockey League to form the BeNe League

Norway

  • EliteHockey Ligaen (1934)
  • 1. divisjon (1990)
  • 2. divisjon (c. 2009)

Poland

  • Polska Hokej Liga (2013) – successor of Ekstraklasa (1926–1999) and Polska Liga Hokejowa (1999–2013)
  • Polish 1. Liga (1956)

Romania

  • Romanian Hockey League (1925)

Russia

Men

Major professional
  • Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) (2008) – multinational professional league with teams from Belarus, China, Kazakhstan, and Russia; teams from the Czech Republic, Croatia, Finland, Latvia, Slovakia, and Ukraine have previously participated
Minor professional
  • Supreme Hockey League (VHL) (2010)
Semi-pro
  • Supreme Hockey League B (VHL-B) (2011)
Junior
  • Junior Hockey League (MHL) (2009; sometimes translated as Minor Hockey League or Youth Hockey League)
  • National Junior Hockey League (NMHL) (2011; formerly Junior Hockey League Division B)
Youth
  • Moscow Region
  • Ural Region

Women

  • Zhenskaya Hockey League (ZhHL) (2015)

Defunct

  • Russian Superleague (RSL) (1996–2008) – replaced by Kontinental Hockey League
  • International Hockey League (1992–1996) – successor of the Soviet Championship League; replaced by Russian Superleague
  • Russian Major League (RUS-2) (1992–2010; also known as Vysshaya Liga) – replaced by Supreme Hockey League B
  • Russian Second League (1996–2009)

Serbia

  • Serbian Hockey League (2006)

Slovakia

Men

  • Slovak Extraliga (1993; also known as TIPOS Extraliga) – Slovak successor of the Czechoslovak First Ice Hockey League (1931–1993)
  • Slovenská hokejová liga (1993; formerly 1. hokejová liga SR (lit. Slovak Republic 1. Hockey League), 1993–2016; Budiš 1. hokejová liga SR, 2016–17; and St. Nicolaus 1. hokejová liga SR, 2017–2019)
  • Slovak 2. Liga (1993)

Women

  • Slovak Women's Extraliga (1991)

Slovenia

  • Slovenian Ice Hockey League (1991)

Spain

Men

  • Liga Nacional de Hockey Hielo (LNHH) (1972)

Women

  • Liga Nacional de Hockey Hielo Femenino (LNHHF) (2007)

Sweden

Men

Major professional
Minor professional
  • HockeyAllsvenskan (1999; formerly Allsvenskan, 1948–1975, and SuperAllsvenskan, 2000–2005)
Semi-pro
  • Hockeyettan (1944; formerly Division I)
Amateur
Further information: Ice hockey in Sweden § Men's leagues
  • Hockeytvåan (1941)
  • Hockeytrean [sv] (1999)
  • Hockeyfyran [sv]
  • Division 5 [sv]
  • Division 6 [sv] (2015)
Junior and youth
  • J20 Nationell (1994; formerly J20 SuperElit, 1994–2020)
  • J20 Region (1980; formerly J20 Elit, 1980–2020)
  • J18 Nationell [sv] (1992; formerly J18 Allsvenskan, 1992–2020)
  • J18 Region (1979; formerly J18 Elit, 1979–2020)

Women

  • Swedish Women's Hockey League (SDHL) (2007; formerly Riksserien, 2007–2016)
  • Nationella Damhockeyligan (NDHL) (2007; formerly Division I, 2007–2015, and Damettan, 2015–2021)

Switzerland

Men

Professional
Amateur
  • Regio League (1999; formerly Swiss Ice Hockey Amateur League)
    • MyHockey League (2017; formerly MySports League, 2017–2022)
    • 1. Liga (1937)
    • 2. Liga

Women

  • Women's League (SWHL A) (1986; formerly Leistungsklasse A (LKA), 1986–2014, and Swiss Women's Hockey League A, 2014–2019)

Turkey

Note: Leagues involve teams from both Asia and Europe

Men

  • Turkish Ice Hockey Super League (1993)
  • Turkish Ice Hockey First League (2005)

Women

  • Turkish Women's Ice Hockey League (2007)

Ukraine

  • Ukrainian Hockey Championship (1992), reformed from the Ukrainian SSR republican competition within the Soviet Union (1941/1948 – 1991)

Defunct

  • Ukrainian Hockey League (2016–2021)
  • Major League (1992–2011)
  • Professional Hockey League (2011–2013)
  • Ukrainian Hockey Extra League (2015–2016)

United Kingdom

Men

Professional
  • Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL; 2003)
Semi-pro and amateur
  • National Ice Hockey League (1996)
  • Scottish National League (1930)

Women

Further information: Women's ice hockey in Great Britain
  • WNIHL Elite Division (2015)
  • WNIHL 1 (1989)
  • WNIHL 2 (1992)
    • North
    • South
  • WNIHL U16 (2007)
Source: EIHA

University

  • British Universities Ice Hockey Association (BUIHA) (2003)

Defunct leagues

  • British National League (1954–1960)
  • British National League (1996–2005)
  • Ice Hockey Superleague (1996–2003)
  • British Hockey League (1982–1996)
  • English Premier Ice Hockey League (1997–2017)

Former nations

Czechoslovakia

East Germany

  • DDR-Oberliga (1949–1990)

Soviet Union

West Germany

  • Eishockey-Bundesliga (1958–1994; called Oberliga, 1948–1958)

Yugoslavia

  • Yugoslav Ice Hockey League (1936–1991)

Oceania

Australia

Men

Professional
  • National Hockey Super League (2021)
Minor professional
  • East Coast Super League (2002)
Semi-pro and amateur
  • Australian Ice Hockey League (2000)
Junior
  • Australian Junior Ice Hockey League (2012)

Women

  • Australian Women's Ice Hockey League (AWIHL) (2005)

New Zealand

Men

  • New Zealand Ice Hockey League (2005)

Women

  • New Zealand Women's Ice Hockey League (NZWIHL) (2014)

Disabled hockey leagues

Leagues for disabled hockey players:

  • American Amputee Hockey Association (AAHA)
  • American Hearing Impaired Hockey Association
  • Ice sledge hockey

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Anexo:Competiciones de hockey sobre hielo por país para niños

kids search engine
All content from Kiddle encyclopedia articles (including the article images and facts) can be freely used under Attribution-ShareAlike license, unless stated otherwise. Cite this article:
List of ice hockey leagues Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.