The best professional hockey leagues from 2021-22 to 2023-34 are defined by 3 key metrics: NHL alumni competing, NHL draft picks developing, and average player salaries as a measure of talent. Analyzing these factors reveals which leagues offer the highest level of competition and development. Let’s dive in!
10. ICE Hockey League (Austria)
- NHL Alumni: 50
- NHL Draft Picks: 0
- Average Player Salary: $103,000 USD ($148,433 CDN)
9. Tipos Extraliga (Slovakia)
- NHL Alumni: 24
- NHL Draft Picks: 6
- Average Player Salary: $83,000 USD ($119,611 CDN)
8. HockeyAllsvenskan (Tier II) (Sweden)
- NHL Alumni: 32
- NHL Draft Picks: 5
- Average Player Salary: $80,000 USD ($115,288 CDN)
7. Tipsport Extraliga (Czechia)
- NHL Alumni: 68
- NHL Draft Picks: 12
- Average Player Salary: $185,000 USD ($266,603 CDN)
6. Liiga (Finland)
- NHL Alumni: 95
- NHL Draft Picks: 48
- Average Player Salary: $145,000 USD ($208,960 CDN)
- Note: Higher number of elite young players compared to Swiss NL & DEL, less high end pro players at the end of their careers.
5. Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL) (Germany)
- NHL Alumni: 133
- NHL Draft Picks: 8
- Average Player Salary: $290,000 USD ($417,919 CDN)
- Note: Larger focus on high end older players compared to elite young players.
4. National League (NL) (Switzerland)
- NHL Alumni: 137
- NHL Draft Picks: 5
- Average Player Salary: $420,000 USD ($605,262 CDN)
- Note: Larger focus on high end older players compared to elite young players.
3. Swedish Hockey League (SHL) (Sweden)
- NHL Alumni: 186
- NHL Draft Picks: 78
- Average Player Salary: $309,000 USD ($445,525 CDN)
2. Kontinental Hockey League (KHL)(Russia)
- NHL Alumni: 238
- NHL Draft Picks: 68
- Average Player Salary: $1.16m USD ($1.68m CDN)
- This is the reported salary but with bonuses + cash, it’s much more.
1. National Hockey League (NHL) (USA/CDN)
- Average Player Salary: $3.30m USD ($4.76m CDN)
- Other statistics don’t apply to NHL as it’s the clear choice for being the best professional league in the world.
Check out our Youtube video on this topic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4D_ZrGet2I
Need help finding an NCAA, Jr. A, or Prep team, and you want expert guidance now? Click the link below to speak with an advisor for free today.
