Hey MGHA family!
Last year, our league size skyrocketed from 18 to 24 teams. This year, we’re poised to expand by another two teams!
For the 2026-2027 season, we’re renaming our levels. Read on for what’s changing, why, and what it means for you.
What’s Changing?
After coordination with the Board, Hockey Operations has decided to change the levels for the 2026-2027 season to L1/L2/L3/L4. Here’s what to expect with each:
- L1: Very similar to L1 from the previous years. No major changes.
- L2: The bottom half, skill-wise, of our previous L2 level. You can expect more experienced players, but at a pace in between last year’s L1 and L2.
- L3: The top half, skill-wise, of our previous L2 level. You can expect players who can skate more in control and have some hockey experience. Play will be faster. You must be able to skate in control.
- L4: This will be the equivalent of last year’s L3. The goal is for L4 to remain the same as last year’s L3, skill-wise.
These levels will be self-selected. Choose the levels where you would feel most comfortable. Unless you opt to check multiple checkboxes on your profile, Hockey Operations will NOT be choosing your level for you (outside of an initial assessment of those who already have selected their levels online for the 2026-2027 season). HOps does, however, reserve the right to move you from a level if we do not feel that you can safely skate in that level.
For those who have already selected their skill level online (thank you), we will do the following. If you have chosen:
- L1: We will leave this option selected.
- L2: We will attempt to select either L2, L3, or both, based on your evaluated skill level.
- L3: We will change your option to L4.
You can always change your requested skill level up until the Sunday before team creation. That date and information will be released soon.
ACTION: The website has been updated with these new levels. Please update your level preference now on your profile page. Be sure to sign in.
Why the change?
We have heard a few pain points over the last few years and we think this is the best way to address them. Here are some of the challenges we’re trying to overcome:
- Bulging at the Middle: Our league has always been sort of a bell curve when it comes to skill. We have some people at both ends (beginners and super skilled) and a ton of people in the middle.
- Wide Range of Skills in Each Level: L2 has become a land where we have skaters who have years of experience alongside some who have just graduated from L1 and are still learning. It’s also difficult to balance teams with such a wide range of skill levels. Having an extra level means skating with more like-skilled players. This means a safer experience, as well.
- Running Out of Colors: If we add more teams to L2, we don’t have a great option for color combinations. We want to keep our jerseys colorblind-friendly and adding more teams makes that challenging.
- Better Stepping Stones: It can be a challenge to make the leap from L1 to L2 because L2 has such a wide swath of skill levels. By introducing a new level, we can bridge that gap a little better.
- Previous 4-Level Success: The tournament has had success with using a 4-level system in the past and we are confident that its success will translate to the full season.
One more thing: cross-level subbing will continue to be permitted. Subs are chosen based on skill level and you will always be subbing for a like-skilled player.
Change is hard and we’re going to do our best to make this transition as seamless as possible. If you have questions or are unsure about anything, please reach out and we’ll help as best we can.
Thanks!
Tim (he/him)
on behalf of HOps