Novice (Levels 1-3)
The Novice level is designed for players in the early stages of their adult hockey journey—typically within their first five years of organized play. It also suits those who may have been playing longer as adults but never played hockey prior to adulthood. Additionally, it’s an ideal entry point for individuals returning to the sport after having only played in childhood.
A Level 1 player is generally new to organized hockey and skating in a team environment for the first time. Most players progress quickly out of level 1. Level 2 players often have some childhood experience but did not play in high school and have been away from the game since their organized experience. Level 3 players usually have at least two years of adult hockey experience under their belt. Across all levels within this novice category, players are typically developing fundamental skills in two to four key areas: shooting, passing, skating, and body control.
This level is intended for Level 1-3 players. While it’s open to that range, leagues such as draft leagues, BYOT, and tournaments often trend toward the upper end of that spectrum due to cohesion and teams rostering the most competitive players eligible within this range.
Intermediate (Levels 4-6)
The Intermediate level is for players who have men’s high school-level hockey experience or possess a comparable current skill level, whether due to their youth, athleticism, or adult playing background. Players who have participated in organized hockey beyond high school—such as juniors, college club, or prep—NOT eligible, unless they have been away from the game for 15 years+ or have other mitigating life circumstances.
This level typically includes Level 4, 5, and 6 players; Level 5 players are most often in their 30s with high school experience, while Level 4 players are older and Level 6 players tend to be younger. Participants at this level are able to make good passes, shoot effectively, maintain solid puck and body control, and demonstrate overall reliable hockey skills. Although the Intermediate level covers the full 4–6 range, leagues like draft leagues, BYOT, and tournaments often attract players from the higher end of this spectrum, as teams look to roster the most competitive eligible players available.
Lower Intermediate (Levels 3 and 4)
The Lower Intermediate level is designed specifically for adults who began playing hockey as adults. Players at this level are typically still working on developing at least one of the core hockey skills, such as shooting, passing, skating, or body control. Players with any organized men's high school-level hockey experience, or whose current playing ability is equivalent to that background, are NOT eligible at this level. However, exceptions may apply, such as in cases where a player has high school experience but has been away from the sport for 20+ years.
This level is intended for Level 3 and 4 players. While it’s open to that range, leagues such as draft leagues, BYOT, and tournaments often trend toward the upper end of that spectrum due to cohesion and teams rostering the most competitive players eligible within this range.
Upper Intermediate (Levels 6-7)
Players at the Upper Intermediate level can move the puck well, make solid passes, shoot accurately, have a good hockey sense, and are comfortable with a fast-moving game. It is usually the best fit for younger players who have had solid high school experience, as well as any player who has played juniors, prep, or college club. Players who have participated in organized hockey at the men's college divisional level, or possess a comparable current skill level, are NOT eligible, unless they have been away from the game for 10 years+ or have other mitigating life circumstances.
This level is intended for Level 6 and 7 players. While it’s open to that range, leagues such as draft leagues, BYOT, and tournaments often trend toward the upper end of that spectrum due to cohesion and teams rostering the most competitive players eligible within this range.
Mixed Lower Level (Levels 2-4)
This is a broad range, mixed level, offered so that players of slightly different ability levels have the opportunity to skate together when they normally their levels would not overlap.
A Novice (2-3) player is in the early stages of their adult hockey journey—typically within their first five years of organized play. This level also suits those who may have been playing hockey for longer as adults but never played before adulthood, or individuals returning to the sport after having only played in childhood. The commonality across all levels within the novice category is that players are typically developing fundamental skills in two to four key areas: shooting, passing, skating, and body control. Players at the Lower Intermediate (3-4) level are typically still working on developing at least one of those.
Players with any organized men's high school-level hockey experience, or whose current playing ability is equivalent to that background, are NOT eligible at this level. However, exceptions may apply, such as in cases where a player has high school experience but has been away from the sport for 20+ years. It is also not an appropriate level range for beginners (level 1).
This level is intended for Level 2 through 4 players. While it’s open to that range, leagues such as draft leagues, BYOT, and tournaments often trend toward the upper end of that spectrum due to cohesion and teams rostering the most competitive players eligible within this range.
Mixed Mid Level (Levels 3-6)
This is a broad range, mixed level, offered so that players of slightly different ability levels have the opportunity to skate together when they normally their levels would not overlap.
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Lower Intermediate (3-4) player typically began playing hockey as an adult. Players at this level are usually working on developing at least one of the core hockey skills, such as shooting, passing, skating, or body control. An Intermediate (4-6) player usually has men’s high school-level hockey experience or possesses a comparable current skill level, whether due to their youth, athleticism, or adult playing background. Intermediate players are able to make good passes, shoot effectively, maintain solid puck and body control, and demonstrate overall reliable hockey skills.
Players who have participated in organized hockey beyond high school—such as juniors, college club, or prep—NOT eligible, unless they have been away from the game for 15 years+ or have other mitigating life circumstances.
This level typically includes Level 3 through 6 players but leagues like draft leagues, BYOT, and tournaments often attract players from the higher end of this spectrum, as teams look to roster the most competitive eligible players available.
Mixed Upper Level (Levels 6-9)
This is a broad range, mixed level, offered so that players of slightly different ability levels have the opportunity to skate together when they normally their levels would not overlap.
Players at the Upper Intermediate level (6-7) can move the puck well, make solid passes, shoot accurately, have a good hockey sense, and are comfortable with a fast-moving game. It is usually the best fit for younger players who have had solid high school experience, as well as any player who has played juniors, prep, or college club. The Advanced level (7-9) includes players with solid experience beyond men's high school hockey, those with collegiate-level backgrounds, or anyone with equivalent playing ability.
While typically excluding former D1 college players, exceptions may be made for factors like age, time away from the game, or other personal circumstances. This level is intended for Level 7-9 players. While it’s open to that range, leagues such as draft leagues, BYOT, and tournaments often trend toward the upper end of that spectrum due to cohesion and teams rostering the most competitive players eligible within this range.
Mixed Open Level (All Levels Welcome)
This is a broad range, mixed level, offered so that players of any ability level have the opportunity to skate together when they normally their levels would not overlap.
Advanced (Levels 7-9)
The Advanced level includes players with solid experience beyond men's high school hockey, those with collegiate-level backgrounds, or anyone with equivalent playing ability. While typically excluding former D1 college players, exceptions may be made for factors like age, time away from the game, or other personal circumstances.
Players in this range are generally classified as follows: a Level 8 player is usually in their 30s with college-level experience; Level 7 skews older and perhaps less active; while Level 9 includes younger, faster players at the higher end of the advanced skill spectrum. This is a high-tempo level designed strictly for advanced players.
This level is intended for Level 7-9 players. While it’s open to that range, leagues such as draft leagues, BYOT, and tournaments often trend toward the upper end of that spectrum due to cohesion and teams rostering the most competitive players eligible within this range.
Expert (Levels 9+)
Players at this level have typically played D1 college hockey and may have had professional hockey experience. Players at this level MUST have at least high level collegiate experience. If they have college experience other than D1, they typically have consistently played hockey since college and are still under the age of 30.
Skills Clinic (Recommended for Levels 1-4)
The skills level is an instructional level geared to helping hockey players develop the fundamentals of the game. It is intended for players getting back into the game or just learning to play hockey. The skills level is also great for players at the novice and lower intermediate levels looking to move to the next skill level. Our low player to instructor ratio allows us to customize the instructional programming to each participant’s needs. Learn to skate and learn to play programs are recommended as prerequisites for new players.
Intermediate Skills Clinics (Recommended for Levels 4-6)
Intermediate level skills clinics are designed for adult players in the Level 4–6 range who already have solid hockey fundamentals—typically those with men’s high school experience or equivalent adult/youth backgrounds. It’s ideal for players who can skate comfortably at game pace, handle the puck in motion, make and receive passes, and shoot with enough power and accuracy to be effective in organized games.
Focus areas are refining and combining existing skills at speed rather than teaching basic mechanics. Examples of areas that players may work on include advanced skating and edge work, puck control under pressure, passing and shooting in motion, and game‑situation concepts such as breakouts, offensive support, and defensive zone coverage. The pace is higher than our regular skills clinics, helping participants sharpen execution, decision making, and overall effectiveness shift to shift.
StinkySocks Hockey No Commitment Hockey Game
No Commitment Hockey games are typically offered on the same weekly schedule and are limited to 20 skaters and 2 goalies per game to make sure that you're getting the most ice time. All games have a referee for game structure and players who are there for the right reasons. With designated levels, you'll be playing with players who are in your same ability range.
StinkySocks Hockey Skills Clinics
StinkySocks Hockey skills clinics are designed to help players develop faster and enjoy the game more by finding comfort in game situations. Skills clinics are limited to 25 participants.
