MHL league system
The MHL league system is a classification system for the various ice hockey leagues on Micras. The leagues are organised into tiers, based on the reputation of the league, professional standard and geographic reach. The highest tier, Tier 1, is for leagues which have a major global reach and a high international standing. These will typically, although are not required to, contain teams from multiple MHL member nations. Tier 2 contains Regional Major Leagues, which have a continental or regional reach and a medium international standing. Tier 2 leagues are often considered to be feeder leagues to the Tier 1 leagues. The current lowest tier is Tier 3, which contains both Regional Minor Leagues and National Leagues, both of which are considered to have a much smaller reach.
Some leagues fall outside of the system, such as second divisions of national leagues, as well as junior and women's competitions.
In determining qualification for international competitions, the system distinguishes between host nations and member nations, with any nation providing 50% or more of clubs in a Tier 1 league being deemed as hosts.
| Tier | Leagues | Description | Qualification | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MCHL | MHL Cup | |||
| 1 | Major leagues:
|
Fully-professional league with a global reach and a high international standing | Multiple teams qualify from the host nation One team qualifies from some member nations |
Host does not participate One team qualifies from some member nations |
| 2 | Regional major leagues:
|
Professional or semi-professional league with a continental or regional reach and a medium international standing | One team outside of Tier 1 host qualifies for the MCHL | One team qualifies from some member nations |
| 3 | Regional minor leagues:
|
Lower-tier league with multiple nations represented, organised by, or under the auspices of, a Tier 1 or Tier 2 league | – | Teams may qualify for the MHL Cup (barring Tier 1 hosts) |
National leagues:
|
Professional, semi-professional or amateur national league | – | One or two teams qualify for the MHL Cup | |
| 4 | Regional junior leagues:
|
A league that sits below a Tier 3 league in a pyramid/ladder system of leagues | – | – |
