About the MNHL

The MNHL is a recreational 35+ hockey league

The winter season is played on Monday evenings out of Carling Arena in London, Ontario.
The summer season is played on Wednesday evenings out of Western Fair Sports Centre in London, Ontario.

League History

The MNHL has been around in various forms for over 60 years – it has been going since 1965!

In 2015 the league was taken over by the current volunteer leadership and the decision was made to change directions, moving to a more relaxed, social type league.

League Leadership

The league is facilitated by a transparent leadership group including a president, treasurer, administrator, team captains and a few veteran players who help guide the league.

Volunteers fill the roles of Team Captains and a few administrators (President, Treasurer, Secretary, Advisers) to facilitate the league but this is all of our league and we all work together to make it great.

Any costs to play in the league are used to cover the expenses to run the league. Any remaining balance after the cost of ice time, referees, uniforms, insurance, web site fees, administrative costs etc. is put back into the league going towards the social events, jersey replacements, or to keep fees down.

League Purpose

The MNHL offers a safe, respectful, competitively balanced but clean hockey environment for players *35 and older who enjoy a night out with the boys playing a good game of Hockey.

It’s a social league as much as a hockey league.

Social Aspects

Aside from the hockey the MNHL invites players to a few social initiatives including:

A summer Golf outing and BBQ
An annual League Christmas Party
League Wrap Up Party after the last game of the season

League Mandates

The league is run with 3 mandates in mind (in order of importance):

The mandate of keeping it SAFE for all players
The mandate of keeping it SOCIAL for all players
and finally the mandate of keeping it COMPETITIVE for all players

Team Selection

Every year the league re-drafts players to create new, even teams using a modified blind draft. This helps keep the aggressive play to a minimum. The guy you are slashing this year may have been your line-mate last year or may be your teammate next year.

Players are organized into balanced groups so that each team gets 1 player from each group. Each group should essentially contain players of equal skill. Each team then selects 1 player from each equal and balanced group via blind draw. This way players of similar skills are spread across all teams randomly creating a balanced and mixed roster for each team. Players then play on that team all year and reenter the draft the next season where we do it all over again.

Players new to the league are given a 1 year grace period where they are allowed to play along side their “host” or the player who referred them. After that they go into the draft like everyone else.

Sound confusing? Don’t worry, we have done it before and it works great.

League Play

The league games operate with 1 referee (typical of many 35+ leagues) which is designed to control costs and also control aggressive play.

Winter Season: 8 team league with 10 skaters per team playing a 1 hour game. Start times are between 9pm and 11pm but we try and spread these around so each team gets early and late starts.

Summer Season: 4 team league with 10 skaters pers team playing a 1 hour game. Start times are between 8pm and 10pm but we try and spread these around so each team gets early and late starts.

There are no slap shots or intentional body contact.

The league has a zero tolerance policy regarding violence and non-sense.

The teams play for the coveted MNHL Cup – a glorious trophy made from the finest in silvers and gold the world has to offer.

New Players

We’re always looking to grow the league by adding new players to our teams or spare list.

Registration opens in March of each year for returning players and at the completion of the season for new players. Players register via the registration web site and send payment via e-transfer. First come / First served once the registration opens.

**Full payment is due before the draft to ensure a spot.

If you are interested in joining the league, contact us.

All new players are subject to a 1 year probationary period.

Notes

*While our league does prefer players 35 years and older, we will make exceptions in certain situations at the leagues discretion.

**While we welcome and invite new players to the league both with and without a referral from an existing player, we reserve the right to remove a player from the league at anytime for any reason. Reasons for removal may include but are not limited to behaviour, on ice issues, safety concerns etc.

FAQs

When does the season run?rwotton2025-05-09T14:57:18-05:00

When does the season run?

Winter: late September/early October to end of March
Summer: early/mid April to end of August

How much does it cost?rwotton2025-05-09T17:14:15-05:00

How much does it cost?

Winter Season: fees are $430 per skater. Goalies pay half.
Summer Season: fees are $350 per skater. Goalies pay half.

Returning players often get the opportunity to sign up with an early bird discount.

How are teams formed?rwotton2025-05-09T17:17:03-05:00

How are teams formed?

We re-draft teams every year using a blind balanced draft system trying to mix and balance the teams as much as possible. Basically the all players placed into groups of 8 players, with the goal being that all 8 players in each group are of equal skill and ability. Each team is then assigned a player from each group. That in theory, should ensure each team gets a player of equal skill. This allows players to meet new guys each year as players change teams every season.

What is the skill level?rwotton2025-05-09T17:17:42-05:00

What is the skill level?

Players skill vary. We have a couple guys who are really good. A couple guys who used to be really good. A couple guys who think they were good and a whole bunch of guys who are pretty slow but try real hard. The key is the teams are balanced so no team has more “elite” players then another.

How competitive is the league?rwotton2025-09-20T20:21:24-05:00

How competitive is the league?

It’s a social, relaxed league, more organized then pick up but less competitive then the NHL. Players want to win but people don’t usually worry if they lose, as long as they can get to the Alibi for a post game beverage before last call.

How do I sign up?rwotton2025-05-09T17:20:20-05:00

How do I sign up?

Contact us today and we’ll give you the info or visit the upcoming season page – registration will be at the top. We open sign ups to new players and referrals shortly after the season wraps up.

I’m new to the league, what can I expect?rwotton2025-05-09T17:20:53-05:00

I’m new to the league, what can I expect?

Moderately paced hockey combined with the usual dressing room banter then down to the local watering hole for a post game beverage and some of the worst chicken wings you may have ever tasted.

Meet some good guys and get out of the house for a few hours on Mondays.

Because the teams are mixed each year you’ll meet a bunch of new guys and everyone is pretty friendly and inviting. After your first game, you’ll feel like you’re one of the boys.

What equipment is required?rwotton2025-09-12T13:33:08-05:00

What equipment is required?

Regular hockey equipment, some sort of face protection (half visor minimum) is required. Most players wear shoulder pads, some choose not to. The league recommends all players wear full equipment including a full face mask as per standard hockey rules.

Players choosing to alter their equipment do so at their own risk.

Any special rules?rwotton2025-05-09T17:22:16-05:00

Any special rules?

In 2020, we started playing a modified style called Fast Break Hockey that limits face-offs to after goals only.

All other stoppages lead to the offending team clearing the zone and play continues. It’s faster, leads to more ice time and was generally well received by our league and most preferred the new style. Aside from that, we play regular hockey.

We do have the following rules:

No slap shots
No intentional contact
No overly aggressive play
No fighting
Absolutely no punches.

What is the Refund Policy?rwotton2025-05-09T17:22:54-05:00

What is the Refund Policy?

No refunds are available once the draft is completed.

Players who suffer season ending injury may be able to obtain a partial refund if a replacement player is found. Transactions of that nature will be handled directly between the injured player and replacement player. The MNHL will not facilitate.

Players who are asked to leave the league for behaviour related issues may be granted a pro-rated refund at the leagues discretion.

What is the risk?rwotton2025-05-09T17:23:35-05:00

What is the risk?

All sports carry an assumed risk by the participants. By playing you assume this risk. All effort will be taken to try and deter any overly aggressive or physical play.

Players who show this type of behaviour may be asked to leave the league.

Anything Else?rwotton2025-05-09T17:24:21-05:00

Anything Else?

Don’t be an idiot. Remember it’s rec league hockey and the guy you are trying to fight might end up on your team next year. Follow all City rules about alcohol in the dressing rooms and just come, have fun, be with the boys, meet some good guys and play hockey for an hour a week.