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Understanding Youth Hockey Levels

The best youth hockey in the USA is Tier I (AAA). Where can you find the best hockey on the South Shore? That's up for debate ... 

Club Leagues vs. Town Leagues:

  • For the last decade+ club leagues and town leagues have battled to attract players.

  • With club hockey, parents tend to pay more, and kids tend to skate more - which often pays dividends in player development. 

  • Many kids have left town for club, resulting in town team rosters experiencing a sometimes dramatic range of skill.

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Eastern Hockey Federation (EHF) vs. Boston Hockey League (BHL) vs. Premier Hockey League (PHL):

  • Which club league is 'the best' is going to vary dramatically depending on who you ask, the level in question, and the birth year. There is so much movement throughout club hockey, year-to-year, that it would be impossible to make a definitive selection.

  • Generally speaking, the EHF Elite and BHL E9 have been the best top-end divisions.  

  • When focus shifts to Tier 1 - National Bound opportunities (U14+) around the South Shore, some of the top-end PHL teams capture attention. ​

National
Tier I / AAA (Highest Level)
Tier II / AA
Tier II / A
Tier II / B
Tier III
Tier IV (Lowest Level)
Town Leagues
A (Highest Level)
B
B2
C (Lowest Level)
Eastern Hockey Federation (Club)
Elite (Highest Level)
Platinum
Upper Gold
Gold (Lowest Level)
South Shore EHF Clubs: Bay State Breakers, Boston Jr. Terriers, Northeast Generals, Boston Jr. Huskies
Boston Hockey League (Club)
E9 (Highest Level)
American
National (Lowest Level)
South Shore BHL Clubs: Boston Advantage, Winter Club, New England Knights
Premier Hockey League (Club)
Premier/National (Highest Level)
Elite/American (Lowest Level)
South Shore PHL Clubs: Crimson Hockey Club, East Coast Militia/Vikings HC, Quincy 67s
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