Youth Inc. Recommends: Five Resources to Understand the Levels of Boys' Youth, Junior, and Collegiate Hockey

Hockey in the US and Canada is organized into various levels across Youth, Junior, and Collegiate categories. Youth hockey is generally sorted by age and then skill level. Junior hockey, for players typically aged 16–20, includes three levels in the United States (Tier I, II, and III). NCAA hockey operates under three divisions (DI, DII, and DIII). Even within these age ranges and tiers/divisions, there is a wide range in how leagues operate and their average level of competition. 

Below are five resources that help break down the different leagues and levels of hockey you might encounter.

Age Levels in Youth Hockey (USA and Canada)

What it is: This article gives an overview of how age groups are organized for boys' hockey teams and leagues in both the US and Canada. It also includes older classifications for those familiar with the pre-2016 organization to compare. 

Why we like it: A solid starting point for understanding how players are grouped by age. It also introduces key terms used to classify youth teams and gives a brief look at how skill levels are ranked.

Youth Hockey in the US is… Confusing

What it is: An explanation of how youth and junior hockey are structured in the US. It highlights some of the problems with the current tier designations and inconsistent terminology. 

Why we like it: Clarifies the difference between youth and junior hockey in the US while acknowledging that the system can be hard to navigate. It uses humor to make the complexity more digestible.

Junior Hockey in the US

What it is: A summary of the three junior hockey tiers in the US, with explanations of how they differ. It also outlines the goals and strategies of both players and teams in each tier. 

Why we like it: A straightforward explanation of USA Junior hockey. Since it’s published by the only Tier II league, the information is accurate and clear.

Levels of College Hockey

What it is: An overview of the different college hockey divisions and the conferences within each. It also dives into recruiting pipelines commonly associated with each division. 

Why we like it: If college hockey is the goal, it’s important to know where to play in high school. This article helps parents understand where their kids should aim to play to improve their chances of recruitment.

Team and League Rankings

What it is: A database of teams and leagues in both the US and Canada, offering stats and approximate rankings. Includes all teams affiliated with USA Hockey or Hockey Canada. 

Why we like it: While individual team rankings aren’t the most important factor in deciding where to play, this tool helps give a big-picture comparison across leagues. Comparing teams only a few rankings apart may not be the most helpful, but for broader designations of how competitive teams are, it can be a good guide.