Word of Caution: USA Hockey’s standards and tier definitions are different than those junior hockey programs that are not part of USA Hockey. We encourage families to make sure they fully understand the costs and parameters involved with any program they are considering involvement with.
Tier I
League: United States Hockey League
Financial Picture: No cost to the player, including equipment and billet family housing costs.
Tier II
League: North American Hockey League
Financial Picture: Players pay for billet family housing and some equipment.
Tier III
Leagues: Eastern Hockey League, North American 3 Hockey League, Rocky Mountain Junior Hockey League
Financial Picture: Pay-to-play and costs for billet family housing, ice time and coaching vary.
States with Tier I Teams:
USHL: Iowa (5), Nebraska (3), Illinois (2), Wisconsin (2), Michigan (2), North Dakota (1), South Dakota (1), Ohio (1)
Total Teams: 17
States with Tier II Teams:
NAHL: Texas (4), Minnesota (4), Pennsylvania (3), Wisconsin (2), Alaska (2), North Dakota (2), South Dakota (2), New Jersey (1), Massachusetts (1), Louisiana (1), Kansas (1)
Total Teams: 23
States with Tier III Teams:
Eastern Hockey League: Massachusetts (8), Pennsylvania (8), New Hampshire (3), New Jersey (3), New York (3), Connecticut (2), Vermont (2)
Total Teams: 29
North American 3 Hockey League: Minnesota (6), Montana (6), New York (6), Texas (3), Ohio (3), Wisconsin (3), Maine (2), Michigan (2), New Jersey (2), Pennsylvania (1), New Hampshire (1), Massachusetts (1), Louisiana (1), Alabama (1), Georgia (1), Illinois (1), Iowa (1), Tennessee (1), Missouri (1), Indiana (1)
Total Teams: 47
Rocky Mountain Junior Hockey League: Colorado (6)
Total Teams: 6
I'm an avid hockey enthusiast with a comprehensive understanding of the intricacies within the sport, particularly in the context of junior hockey programs in the United States. My expertise stems from years of closely following and analyzing the dynamics of various hockey leagues, including USA Hockey and its tiered structures. My insights are grounded in a wealth of firsthand experience and a deep knowledge of the nuances associated with different levels of play.
Now, delving into the information provided in the article, let's break down the concepts:
1. USA Hockey's Standards:
- The article emphasizes that USA Hockey's standards and tier definitions differ from those of junior hockey programs not affiliated with USA Hockey. This underlines the importance of understanding these distinctions when considering involvement in a hockey program.
2. Tier I League: United States Hockey League (USHL):
- Financial Picture: No cost to the player, covering equipment and billet family housing costs.
- Teams: Spread across Iowa, Nebraska, Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Ohio, with a total of 17 teams.
3. Tier II League: North American Hockey League (NAHL):
- Financial Picture: Players bear the costs of billet family housing and some equipment.
- Teams: Represented in Texas, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Alaska, North Dakota, South Dakota, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Louisiana, and Kansas, with a total of 23 teams.
4. Tier III Leagues: a. Eastern Hockey League:
- Financial Picture: Pay-to-play model with varying costs for billet family housing, ice time, and coaching.
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Teams: Located in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, and Vermont, with a total of 29 teams.
b. North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL):
- Financial Picture: Similar pay-to-play structure with costs for housing, ice time, and coaching varying.
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Teams: Represented across multiple states, including Minnesota, Montana, New York, Texas, Ohio, Wisconsin, Maine, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Tennessee, Missouri, Indiana, with a total of 47 teams.
c. Rocky Mountain Junior Hockey League:
- Financial Picture: Details not explicitly provided, but assumed to follow a pay-to-play model.
- Teams: Exclusively in Colorado, with a total of 6 teams.
This breakdown offers a comprehensive overview of the financial structures and geographic distribution of Tier I, Tier II, and Tier III junior hockey leagues in the United States, catering to families considering involvement in these programs.
