8U FULL-ICE HOCKEY · UPSTATE NEW YORK

FULL ICE.
ROOM TO GROW.

Bring your team to the Upstate Hockey League. An AAU full-ice league built around player development, meaningful competition, and a shared love of the game.

Interested in joining? ↗Explore the league

For coaches and organizations exploring their next season. Expressing interest is not a commitment.

UPSTATE ROOTS.DEVELOPMENT FIRST.FULL-ICE AMBITION.

20GAMES

1ST + 3RDSATURDAYS

OCTOBER → FEBRUARYPROPOSED SEASON

FULL-ICE8U

EVERY GAME DAY IS A DOUBLEHEADER

Two games. One trip.

More time playing hockey for every trip to the rink. Each league game day gives teams two games, making the drive count for players and families.

THE GAME. THE GROWTH. THE COMMUNITY.

A place for
their next step.

For 8U teams ready to explore full-ice hockey together.

UHL is bringing organizations across Upstate New York together around a simple goal: help young players keep learning, competing, and loving hockey.

01 / DEVELOPMENT

Learn the full-ice game.

Space to work on skating, passing, positioning, and decisions as a team. The focus is long-term growth.

02 / COMPETITION

Find the right challenge.

Teams move up or down divisions based on performance, keeping the challenge appropriate as players and teams develop.

03 / COMMUNITY

Build local connections.

Meet other programs across Upstate New York through a shared league experience for players, coaches, and families.

PROPOSED 2027-28 LEAGUE FORMAT

20 regular-season games
plus March playoffs.

Full-ice 8U league play. Exact dates and rink assignments are still being finalized.

Game days: 10 doubleheader dates, primarily selected 1st and 3rd Saturdays - two games per team, per game day.
Season: October through February; playoffs in March.
Holidays: Holiday weekends will be avoided or adjusted.
Travel: Two games on each league date increase playing time relative to time in the car. Scheduling will aim to reduce unnecessary travel wherever possible.
Team entries: Organizations may potentially enter more than one team depending on roster strength and interest.
Next details: Final dates, rink assignments, pricing, and eligibility requirements will be shared before enrollment.

MEANINGFUL GAMES. ROOM TO DEVELOP.

Competitive balance matters

UHL is being built to create meaningful, competitive games - not simply place every team into the same level regardless of ability.

Teams will be moved up or down divisions based on performance to keep games competitive. The league will evaluate actual playing level and adjust placements as the season develops. Initial placement is Premier Division for 2019 teams and Championship Division for 2020 teams. Teams may move based on performance.

The goal is simple: give every team the best possible chance to play competitive hockey and develop.

PROPOSED 2027-28 PLAYING RULES

The game-day format

A clear framework for competitive full-ice hockey. Final operational details will be confirmed before enrollment.

Three 12-minute periods

Stop-time periods. Automatic offsides. Minor penalties are 90 seconds; icing is not permitted on the penalty kill. One timeout per team per game.

Overtime without shootouts

Tied after regulation? Play five minutes of 3-on-3 sudden-death overtime. If neither team scores, the game ends in a tie and each team earns 1 point. No shootouts.

UHL points system

Any win: 2 points. Overtime loss: 1 point. Tie after overtime: 1 point for each team. Regulation loss: 0 points. Ties are tracked separately from losses.

AAU registration will be required for players and coaches. A third-period mercy provision at a six-goal margin is proposed; its clock procedure, roster rules, final eligibility, pricing, and rink assignments remain to be finalized.

BEFORE YOU REACH OUT

A few good questions

How many games do we play on a game day?

Each league game day is a doubleheader: two games per team. That means more time on the ice relative to time spent traveling, with exact times and rink assignments to follow.

Can our organization bring more than one team?

Yes. Tell us your expected team count, birth years, and levels. Each team can have its own league entry.

Do we need a finalized roster to express interest?

No. Coaches and organizations can reach out while planning. Use “Unsure” where needed and tell us what you have in mind.

Does submitting the form reserve a spot?

No. It starts a conversation with the commissioner. It does not enroll your team or require payment.

Where will schedules and standings appear?

The Schedule, Standings, and Playoff Picture pages will carry league updates as games and results are announced.

COMING TOGETHER ACROSS UPSTATE NEW YORK

Meet the organizations

Organizations currently active in UHL. Individual team entries may grow as rosters are confirmed.

Utica Raptors

Syracuse Galaxy

New York Capitals

Power Play Sports

Central Outlaws

Rochester Grizzlies

Volt Hockey Club

Twin Tiers Tornados

St. Lawrence Steel

Rochester Aces

Rochester Jr. Amerks

ROCO

FROM FIRST CONVERSATION TO FIRST FACEOFF

How joining works

01 / EXPRESS INTEREST

Tell us about your team.

Share your organization, birth year, expected level, and potential team count. No finalized roster or payment is needed to start.

02 / TALK THROUGH THE FIT

Plan with the commissioner.

We will discuss competitive placement and scheduling needs, then share final pricing, what the fee includes, eligibility, and dates before you commit.

03 / CONFIRM YOUR ENTRY

Join when the details work.

Review the final league information and confirm participation. Expressing interest alone does not reserve a spot or enroll a team.

TAKE THE NEXT STEP

Interested
in the league?

Tell us about your organization and the teams you’re considering. The commissioner will review your interest and follow up using the contact details you provide.

Your contact details are shared only with league administration. No player names or personal information are needed. Submitting interest does not reserve a spot or guarantee placement. UHL is using these responses to plan team count, competitive balance, rink needs, and scheduling.