Road Map of Hockey
Road Map of Hockey
This is a basic representation of the different levels of hockey and where you could advance. You will notice that high school hockey is not on this diagram. That is because it is a lower level of hockey with no real promise of advancing players any further with the exception of a few states. (Minnesota, Michigan, Massachusetts).
| Youth Age 8U - 18U | Juniors Age 16 - 20 | |
| USA | Canada | |
| Highest Tier 1 - AAA | Tier 1 - USHL | Major Juniors(CHL) - OHL, WHL, QMJHL Junior A self-declared Tier 1 - BCHL |
| Middle Tier 2 - AA | Tier 2 - NAHL, NCDC | Junior A - AJHL, SJHL, MJHL, NOJHL, SIJHL, CCHL, OJHL, QAAA, MHL |
| Low Tier 3 - A (Travel) | Tier 3 - USPHL Premier, NA3HL, EHL | Junior B - KIHL, VIJHL, HJHL, NBJHL, GOJHL, EOJHL, PJHL |
| Novice House Rec | Junior C - GMHL, CAJHL | |
Junior Hockey (Ages 16-21)
USA
Tier 1 USHL (USNTDP)
Tier 3 NA3HL, EHL (& EHL Premier) USPHL Premier
Canada
Major Juniors (WHL, OHL, QMJHL) 50% of NHL have played here.
Junior A- BCHL, AJHL, SJHL, MJHL, CCHL, OJHL, NOJHL, SIJHL, MHL, QJAAAHL
Junior B- KIJHL, VIJHL, HJHL, NBJHL, GOJHL, EOJHL, PJHL
College Hockey Ages 18-25 (Generally)
NCAA D1 (Wisconsin, Denver University, Arizona State) 30% of NHL players have played here.
NCAA D3 ( Adrian, St. Norberts, Trinity College)
ACHA D1 (University of Utah)
ACHA D2 (Weber State, Utah State, UVU, University of Utah)
North American Pro Leagues
NHL
AHL
ECHL
SPHL
FED
Top European Leagues
KHL (Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, China)
SHL (Sweden)
LIIGA (Finland)
NL (Switzerland)
Czech Extraliga (Czechia)
DEL (Germany)
