The MBHL Story

The Metropolitan Boston Hockey League, born and founded March 31, 1977, and incorporated in Massachusetts in August, 1979, has grown into one of the finest "AAA"- style or "Tier I" leagues in North America.

To keep some young hockey players on skates - which through no fault of their own were in imminent danger of having no place to play - a combination of organizations was melded together and began competing as a league in the Fall of 1977. Originally comprised of a combination of teams and organizations "shut out" by the AHA's new rules, groups competing in the New England AA Hockey League, and brand-new organizations formed specifically for the purpose, they sponsored just thirty-two teams between them.

The MBHL is unique in youth hockey. Within our own league we play by modified NCAA rules, the same as in U.S. college hockey. Slapshots and body checking are allowed at all age levels, instead of being introduced well after young players have had a chance to develop a lot of bad habits in their absence. To the best of our knowledge, no other youth hockey organization in North America -- or the world, for that matter -- permits body checking or slapshots as we do. We believe that's the way hockey is meant to be played, at any age and by either gender. Young women who feel they are physically capable are encouraged to "play Metro" with and against the boys. Many have taken advantage of that opportunity over the years.

Our teams are urged to register as USA Hockey club teams, and our member- and League-sponsored tournaments are all USA Hockey sanctioned. In this way, we encourage outside teams to come to "our house," and we in turn are welcomed at tourneys elsewhere.

Naturally, in both instances US Hockey rules prevail. MBHL play begins the first weekend after Labor Day (the first Monday in September, in the US) and winds up with playoffs in mid April of the following year. Strong and vital, the MBHL expects continued success in the New Millennium as we begin our 31st season of competition in 2008.