Level | USA Hockey | Good Life / Stars | Hot as Hell | MCHL | AHA | WHAM |
Level 1 | Beginner | Low Novice | Novice | Beginner | Beginner | C3 |
Level 1.5 | Beginner | Low Novice | Novice | Novice | D2 | C3 |
Level 2 | D3 League | High Novice | Novice | Novice | D1/D2 | C1/C2 |
Level 2.5 | D2 League | High Novice | Intermediate C | Intermediate B | D1/C3 | C1/B3 |
Level 3 | D1 League | Low Intermediate | Intermediate C | Intermediate B | C2/C3 | B2 |
Level 3.5 | C3 League | Low Intermediate | Intermediate B | Intermediate | C1 | B1 |
Level 4 | C2 League | High Intermediate | Intermediate B | Intermediate | B3 | A2 |
Level 4.5 | C1 League | High Intermediate | Intermediate A | MCHL | B2 | A2/A1 |
Level 5 | B2 League | Elite | Intermediate A | MCHL | B1 | A1 |
Level 5.5 | B1 League | Elite | – | MCHL | – | – |
Level 6 | A League | Elite | – | MCHL | – | – |
The following are considered 4.5/5.0 and above:
High School AAA
ACHA D1, D2 & D3
NCAA D1, D2 & D3
Junior D1, D2 & D3
USHL / ECHL / Etc.
USA Hockey Division Descriptions:
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. The majority of players are going to be found in either D or C-league though, so you shouldn’t worry about where you are placed.
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. In order to advance beyond C-League, you would likely have to put a lot more time and effort into practicing than most casual players can.
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. These players just aren’t quite on the same level as the A-League players.
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. And because of that, the barrier to entry into this tier is high.