Adult Leagues
From Beginner to Advanced, there is no shortage of competition in adult leagues in the Tampa Bay area. We highlight all the programs in the area to provide you the best competition based on your area and skill level. Full program overviews along with standard days and times are provided. We go even further by giving some player reviews and opinions of the “true” skill level. We all have been in a league that doesn’t play true to the stated level, we uncover those that are not.
New players or those new to the area, we will help guide you in the right direction. Just ask our area experts or check with our local forum on our socials for some great guidance. We are a true hockey family and want to help each other out.
Beginner Programs – Many rinks have beginner programs for adults. Obviously, first you need to know how to skate so be sure to start with learn to skate and learn to play programs. Once you are able to become a solid skater, then it is time to join a beginner league. We will highlight the rinks that have a true beginner program. One that has a coach to teach you the basics of hockey; positioning, how to stickhandle, etc.
Those include: CIA, TGH IcePlex in Brandon, and Advent Health Center Ice in Wesley Chapel,
Novice League – Some rinks have a Novice specific league, while many have either a “beginner league” which includes Novice and lower level D players or a lower D league. We have found that most leagues in the area have players playing down rather than up. If you are not a good skater, don’t jump to a high D league, try a beginner or novice league until your skills improve.
D-Level – D-League is for newer players and those who aren’t quite as skilled at the sport. To join a rec league at all, you should already know the basics — shooting, skating, stopping. However, skills beyond these aren’t guaranteed at this level. If you are new to hockey, this will be the league you will start in. And while it’s possible to move up to C-League, if you don’t play or practice very often, you will likely remain here. The majority of players are going to be found in either D or C-league though, so you shouldn’t worry about where you are placed. Depending on the rink, there could be multiple leagues of D-level hockey. Most at least have an upper and lower level, while a couple have several divisions of D.
C – Level – If you have been playing ice hockey for much of your adult life, then you’re probably in C-League. Players in this league have a solid grasp on the fundamentals, including multiple shooting styles, skating backward, and stopping from a sprint. For most players, this tier is going to be the upper limit for their skill. In order to advance beyond C-League, you would likely have to put a lot more time and effort into practicing than most casual players can.
B – Level – Those found in B-League may have played ice hockey in college or high school and have been playing ever since. They know the ins-and-outs of the game like the back of their hand and can perform all of the high-leveled maneuvers and strategies. These players just aren’t quite on the same level as the A-League players.
40plus or 50 plus – Just as they seem, these leagues cater to that age of player and is usually very competitive. These are not a leagues for beginners.
A-Open or Elite leagues – Players in A-League are often former pros, semi-pros, or high-level collegiate players. Something to keep in mind about this tier is that you generally aren’t going to move up into it from a lower tier over time. These players have put in an extreme amount of time and effort to hone their skills. And because of that, the barrier to entry into this tier is high.
Hero’s League – This is a league sponsored by the Tampa Bay Lightning that comprises of teams of heroes: Firefighters, Police, Medical, Teachers, Veterans, and Military. This league currently plays on Xtra Ice at PowerPole Arena.
Adult Hockey Programs – Local Rinks
