Navigating Youth Hockey

Hockey Divisions Explained

Youth hockey can be a maze of pathways, leagues, and rules.

CAHA has assembled the below chart to help parents and players understand the U.S. and Canadian hockey ecosystem.

Find your path—and if you have questions, the CAHA Board of Directors is here to help or connect you with the right hockey expert.

USA Hockey Independent (USPHL) Hockey Canada / CHL NCAA ACHA (Club) Professional

Level / League	Sanctioning	Typical Ages	Cost Model	Primary Next Steps
Youth Rec (House)	USA Hockey	6–18	Club fees	A / AA
Youth A (Single-A)	USA Hockey	8–18	Club fees	AA
Youth AA (Tier II)	USA Hockey	10–18	Club fees	AAA; national-bound
Youth AAA (Tier I)	USA Hockey	13O–18U	Club fees	NTDP; USHL/NAHL; national-bound
Youth NDL / NTDP (U17/U18)	USA Hockey	16–18	Funded	NHL Draft; NCAA D-I; USHL
USHL (Junior Tier I)	USA Hockey	16–20	Tuition-free	NCAA D-I; NHL Draft; AHL
NAHL (Junior Tier II)	USA Hockey	16–20	Tuition-free	NCAA D-I/D-III; USHL; pro
NA3HL (Junior Tier III)	USA Hockey	16–20	Tuition-based	NAHL; NCAA D-III/ACHA
USPHL NCDC	Independent	16–20	Tuition-free	NCAA D-I/D-III; pro
USPHL Premier / Elite	Independent	16–20	Tuition-based	NCDC; NCAA D-III/ACHA
CJHL (Junior A, Canada)	Hockey Canada	16–20	Varies	NCAA; U Sports; pro/Europe
CHL (Major Junior: WHL/OHL/QMJHL)	CHL / Hockey Canada	16–20	Stipend/billet	NHL Draft; AHL/ECHL; Europe
NCAA Division I (Men/Women)	NCAA	18–24	Scholarships	NHL/AHL/ECHL; PWHL/Europe
NCAA Division II (Men/Women)	NCAA	18–24	Limited programs	D-I/D-III; some pro
NCAA Division III (Men/Women)	NCAA	18–24	No athletic scholarships	ECHL/SPHL/Europe; PWHL/Europe
ACHA M1/M2/M3; W1/W2	ACHA	18–24	Club dues	Limited pro/Europe; adult elite
PWHL (Women)	Pro	18+	Salary	National teams; Europe
Europe (SHL, Liiga, NL, DEL, etc.)	Pro	18+	Salary	Stable pro careers
ECHL	Pro	18+	Salary	AHL; occasional NHL
AHL	Pro	18+	Salary	NHL call-ups
NHL	Pro	18+	Salary	—