Metropolitan Boston Hockey League
The Metropolitan Boston Hockey League was a youth hockey league founded March 31, 1977, and incorporated in Massachusetts in August 1979.
| The Metropolitan Boston Hockey League | |
| |
| City | Boston, MA |
| Classification | Minor Hockey |
| Founded | March 31, 1977 |
| Colors | Gold and Black |
The MBHL was unique in youth hockey. The MBHL was classified as an "AAA" or "Tier I" league. Within the league, modified NCAA rules were played, the same as in U.S. college hockey. Slapshots and body checking were allowed at all age levels. The league believed that it was critical to develop those skills before young players had a chance to develop bad habits in their absence. A core belief of the MBHL was that hockey should be “played the way hockey is meant to be played, at any age and by either gender.” The league was also open to young women who felt they were physically capable to "play Metro" with and against boys.[1]
MBHL league play began the first weekend after Labor Day and concluded with playoffs in late March of the following year. No other Minor hockey organization in North America—or the world, permitted body checking or slapshots as early as the Mite level.
The MBHL had Twenty Two original organizations (some teams changed the team names): Assabet Valley Patriots, , , , Hobomock U.S.A. (became New England Falcons, now Bridgewater Bandits), , UMass Lowell River Hawks men's ice hockey (formerly Lowell Chiefs, then West River Wolves), Mass Bay Chiefs, and the Springfield Pics. The Bay State Breakers, , Boston Jr. Terriers, , Bridgewater Bandits, , , (formerly Providence Friars), South Shore Kings, , and Top Gun all left the MBHL in 2004 for the Eastern Hockey Federation.
Upon the league's discontinuation after the end of the 2008–2009 season, most remaining teams transferred to the New England Hockey League, which has since been split into the Boston Hockey League and the Elite 9 Hockey League.
Teams[]
The MBHL had 9 Member Organization in its last season (see table at bottom).
| Team | City | Home Rink |
|---|---|---|
| Capital District Selects | Troy, New York | Frear Park |
| Simsbury, Connecticut | International Skating Center of Connecticut | |
| Connecticut Wolves | Northford, Connecticut | Northford Ice |
| Cranston, Rhode Island | Schneider Arena | |
| Lowell, Massachusetts | Janas Arena | |
| Hooksett, New Hampshire | Ice Den Arena | |
| Dedham, Massachusetts | Boston Ice Center | |
| Springfield Pics | West Springfield, Massachusetts | Olympia Ice Center |
| Worcester, Massachusetts | Buffone Rink |
High school programs fed[]
The MBHL feeds many High School programs.
- Catholic Memorial School
- Cushing Academy
- Lawrence Academy at Groton
- Malden Catholic High School
- Matignon High School
- Middlesex School
- Phillips Andover Academy
- Phillips Exeter Academy
- Saint Peter-Marian High School
- St. John's High School
- St. John's Preparatory School
- St. Mark's School
- Saint Sebastian's School
- Thayer Academy
- Worcester Academy
Notable MBHL player alumni[]
NHL, AHL, other pro, NCAA Div I, or drafted
Players[]
- Tom Barasso
- Allen Bourbeau
- Phil Bourque
- Bob Brooke
- Doug Brown
- Jim Campbell
- Bob Carpenter
- John Carter
- Ted Crowley
- Marvin Degon
- Ted Donato
- Hal Gill
- Mike Grier
- Bill Guerin
- Steve Heinze
- Jeff Lazaro
- Jordan LaVallee
- John Lilley
- Shawn McEachern
- Jeff Norton
- Tom Poti
Ron Haines [ice hockey]
- Jeremy Roenick
- Kevin Stevens
- Bob Sweeney
- Keith Tkachuk
- Noah Welch
- Mike Ruggiero
- Jim Carey
- Scott Young
- [1]
Coaches[]
References[]
External links[]
- 1977 establishments in Massachusetts
- 2009 disestablishments in Massachusetts
- Defunct ice hockey leagues in the United States
- Ice hockey in New England
- Sports leagues disestablished in 2009
- Sports leagues established in 1977
- Sports competitions in Massachusetts