Beginner Program
The Beginner Program is for new players that have not played ice hockey previously and wish to get started, or for repeat players that would like to go through this training program again. If you are unsure if you should register for the beginner program please contact Ray Gitchel (admin@ourmchl.com). The program will include 8 weeks of training prior to any games. The beginners (players in the Beginner Program) will be drafted to the Novice Division teams and join their teams upon completion of the 8 week program.
Novice / Beginner
USA Hockey Novice E-level / D-Level (Beginner)
Skill level of 1 to 2
Players who are new to the sport of hockey and learn fundamental skills of skating, puck handling, passing, and shooting. Players have completed a Learn to Play Hockey program. These games are played with low intensity at a skill Level of 1. Players at these level can’t skate well. They could be older players who are not able to skate fast. Players that are not so good at skating backwards. Players that wish to play a more relaxed style of hockey and work to advance their own skills at their own pace. This is not for seasoned players that would be scoring 20 points a season.
Intermediate C
USA Hockey Bronze D-level / C-Level
Skill levels of 2 to 3
This division is indented for better novice and weaker intermediate B players. These players are generally athletic, have good knowledge of the game, skating, puck handling skills, and can play at a lower competitive level. Players typically have 4 or more years of experience playing in organized adult hockey leagues. Games are played with medium intensity and at skill Level 2 to 3. This division would be for your avenge skilled lower tier beer league skaters. We could have some lower skilled high school skilled players here. We do not want any travel high school skill players here. Players that have been playing a few years and have worked up from the Novice Division but are not quite ready for the higher Intermediate Division.
Intermediate B
USA Hockey Bronze / C-Level (Intermediate)
Skill levels of 3 to 4
This division would be for your better skilled high school house players and some lower skilled travel high school players. There are no college-skilled players here at all. This division is for higher skilled intermediate players that are not ready to play at a high speed competitive A level intermediate game.
Intermediate A
USA Hockey Silver / B-Level (Advanced)
Skill levels of 4 to 5
Players are able to play a fast game safely and can execute integrated hockey plays that utilize difficult hockey skills. Players typically played organized youth hockey. This division would be for your Varsity High School or Competitive Midget. Skaters have substantial hockey abilities, skills, knowledge and experience. Most skaters have been coached and have played considerable hockey in the past.
MCHL
USA Hockey Gold / A-Level (Advanced/Elite)
Skill levels of 4 to 6
This is a open division. The highest of skill level. Open to anything. Tier II or III Junior, ACHA, Midget Major AAA, and Prep/Varsity High School playing experience.
USA Hockey and Omaha Tournament Comparison Chart:
| Level | USA Hockey | Good Life / Stars | Hot as Hell | MCHL | AHA | WHAM |
| Level 1 | Beginner | Low Novice | Novice | Beginner | Beginner | C3 |
| Level 1.5 | Beginner | Low Novice | Novice | Novice | D2 | C3 |
| Level 2 | D3 League | High Novice | Novice | Novice | D1/D2 | C1/C2 |
| Level 2.5 | D2 League | High Novice | Intermediate C | Novice | D1/C3 | C1/B3 |
| Level 3 | D1 League | Low Intermediate | Intermediate C | Intermediate B | C2/C3 | B2 |
| Level 3.5 | C3 League | Low Intermediate | Intermediate B | Intermediate B | C1 | B1 |
| Level 4 | C2 League | High Intermediate | Intermediate B | Intermediate | B3 | A2 |
| Level 4.5 | C1 League | Elite | Intermediate A | Intermediate | B2 | A2/A1 |
| Level 5 | B2 League | Advanced | Intermediate A | MCHL | B1 | A1 |
| Level 5.5 | B1 League | Advanced | – | MCHL | – | – |
| Level 6 | NHL | Advanced | – | MCHL | – | – |
USA Hockey Breakdown:
D-League
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.
C-League
If you have been playing ice hockey for much of your adult life, then you’re probably in C-League in most regions. 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-League
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.
A-League
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.