Hockey enthusiasts should prepare for significant news, as a new professional 3-on-3 hockey league is scheduled to debut in North America this autumn. The league, known as Major League Hockey, aims to capture the excitement and thrill of the NHL’s 3-on-3 overtime format, which has garnered widespread popularity among fans since its inception in the 2015-16 season.
According to hockey analyst Steve Dangle, Major League Hockey will feature 16 teams, each consisting of 14 players – 12 skaters and 2 goalies. The teams will be located in various regions across Canada and the United States, including British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Quebec, and Ontario in Canada, as well as New York, California, Minnesota, and Arizona in the US. Two teams will be situated in two of the regions.
One of the league’s notable aspects is the implementation of a salary cap. Each MLH team will be subject to a spending limit of $30 million, enabling players to potentially earn an average of $2.1 million if all teams reach the cap. Furthermore, teams will have the opportunity to sign three “marquee players” with professional experience, while other roster spots will be filled by college hockey players, major junior players, and qualified women’s players.
Devante Smith-Pelly, a former NHL player who secured the Stanley Cup with the Washington Capitals in 2018, has expressed his interest in the league, despite retiring from professional hockey last year.
In a surprising development, each team’s victory will result in a bonus of $100,000, which will be distributed among the coaches and players. This equates to the league disbursing over half a billion dollars in player salaries, exclusive of contracts for coaches and bonuses.
The league’s financial backing is noteworthy as well. Reports suggest that a substantial portion of the funding is originating from Saudi Arabia, with participation from leading ice hockey equipment manufacturer, Bauer. Allan Walsh, a prominent agent for NHL players, has also confirmed the significant financial backing behind the endeavor.
Nevertheless, the league’s games will be briefer than traditional NHL matchups, featuring just 24 minutes of play with one intermission. This has raised inquiries about the logistics and ticket sales for such a brief event.
Hockey enthusiasts throughout North America are eagerly anticipating the debut of Major League Hockey and the enthusiasm it will bring to the sport. Stay tuned for additional updates as the league prepares to take the ice this autumn!