2025 Edition: The Best College Hockey Leagues in NA!

Rankings (’24/25)

10. RSEQ | Réseau Du Sport Étudiant du Québec

Is a collegiate and university athletic conference in Québec, CA that is part of the larger U Sports system. It’s considered the Tier II of Canadian Collegiate Hockey.
It provides a pathway for players striving to reach higher levels but is often the final stop for those competing at the university level.

9. AAU | Amateur Athletic Union College Hockey

The AAU hockey league operates as an alternative to USA Hockey, where players are generally recruited from lower tier Jr. A leagues and high school programs.
The calibre is typically on par with ACHA DIII.
Similar to ACHA DIII, most players end up in the workforce after graduation.

8. ACHA DIII | American Collegiate Hockey Association

ACHA Division III hockey is the lowest level of collegiate club hockey governed by the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA).
It offers a competitive option for skilled players who skip NCAA DIII but want a lighter commitment.
Almost all players at this level end up in the workforce after graduation.

7. BCIHL | British Columbia Intercollegiate Hockey League

The BCIHL is a Canadian collegiate hockey league primarily in British Columbia, CA, that’s designed for players balancing academics and competitive hockey.
It is a slight step below ACAC and very close to the ACHA DII level.
Some players go on to compete in ACHA DI, FPHL, and minor pro leagues in Europe, but most end up in the workforce after graduation.

6. ACHA DII | American Collegiate Hockey Association

ACHA Division II hockey is the second level of collegiate club hockey governed by the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA).
It offers a competitive option for skilled players who skip NCAA DIII but want a lighter commitment.
Some players advance to ACHA DI, FPHL, and minor professional leagues in Europe, but most end up in the workforce after graduation.

5. ACHA DI | American Collegiate Hockey Association

ACHA Division I hockey is the highest level of collegiate club hockey governed by the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA).
High-end ACHA DI teams like Adrian College, Liberty University, UNLV & Minot State University are quite strong, with many of them being able to compete against many NCAA D3 programs.
Often times players pick these programs over NCAA offers based on lifestyle, education and where the program is located.
Many higher end players of the top teams in this league go on to compete in the FPHL and other minor professional leagues.

4. ACAC | Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference

The ACAC is a collegiate and university athletic conference in Alberta, Canada that offers competitive collegiate-level hockey and is often considered just a slight step below NCAA D3 with its calibre level of play and skilled players.
Players are usually recruited from the CHL, AJHL, BCHL, and SJHL backgrounds.
Many players advance to the FPHL, U Sports and lower end minor professional leagues across North America and Europe.

3. NCAA DII/DIII | National Collegiate Athletic Association

The NCAA is a collegiate and university athletic association in the United States that oversees multiple sports, including hockey.
NCAA DII and DIII schools don’t offer athletic scholarships but provide academic scholarships, which can limit some top players’ participation, though the leagues remain highly competitive.
Players are usually recruited from Tier 2 Jr. A leagues, as well as higher end players in Tier 3 Jr. A leagues.
Many players go on to play in the ECHL, the SPHL, the FPHL, as well as many minor professional leagues in Europe.

2. U Sports | University Sports

U Sports is the governing body for university sports in Canada and is considered the top collegiate developmental league in Canada with an average calibre slightly below the NCAA DI level.
Players are mainly recruited from the CHL as well as other high-end Tier 2 Jr. A leagues in Canada.
Many players go on to play in the AHL, ECHL, minor professional leagues in Europe, and occasionally the NHL.

1. NCAA DI | National Collegiate Athletic Association

The NCAA is a collegiate and university athletic association in the United States that oversees multiple sports, including hockey.
NCAA DI hockey is the most competitive level of college hockey in North America, which most hockey players aim to play in.
Players have usually recruited from Tier 1 (USHL) & top Tier 2 Jr. A leagues, but with the CHL-NCAA rule change, many players will likely be recruited out of the CHL moving forward.
Many players go on to compete in the NHL, the AHL, the ECHL, and top European leagues like the SHL, the Liiga, the DEL, the KHL, and many more!

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