MHL MAKES KEY CHANGES AHEAD OF 25/26 SEASON

Good evening everyone! 

Ahead of the upcoming season, The MHL wanted to share with everyone some important changes to the league this year which will be implemented from this season onwards. These changes are a result of the league's first AGM meeting between owners this summer and the following adaptations have been made;

1. League v Exhibition Points Structure

From the 25/26 season onwards. There will be a change in total points earned for a win against League v Exhibition teams. The following structure will now be; 

League v League win = 2 points

League v League OTL = 1 point

League v Exhibition win  =  1point

Exhibition v Exhibition win  =  1 point 

Exhibition v Exhibition OTL  =  0 Points

We want to incentivize league on league play. Allowing teams the freedom to schedule as many exhibition fixtures as they please whilst prioritizing MHL league competition. This also will allow for a truer, more fair standings where teams points total are a closer reflection of the points they have earned vs qualified opposition. 

2 - The Clear Cup : Presented by Bladetech

To avoid the issues of previous years. This years Clear Cup playoff format will be structured as follows; 

MHL STANDINGS 

1st place - Automatically qualifies for finals and gets first rights at hosting finals 

2nd + 3rd place - Will play out a best of 3 semi finals to determine who advances to the finals. 

This is to limit the amount of travel, hosting issues and debate between qualification and ensures a competitive, hard nosed final to be played out in one weekend final series at the end of the regular season. 

Traditional playoff rules will apply. In the event of a tie, the game will continue to OT 5 on 5 until a winner is crowned. There are no shootouts in MHL playoff hockey. 

If at the end of the semi final fixture the series is tied 1-1. Sudden Death OT will be played to crown the winner of the series. 

The league season officially kicks off Friday, October 16 as league newcomers San Diego Renegades kick off their inaugural campaign hosting fellow California rivals Santa Rosa Growlers at the San Diego Ice Arena. With Mansfield Barracudas already starting their campaign last weekend with 2 exhibition wins against the Boston Gold Kings. 

With another action packed Mountain Hockey League season upon us, We want to take a moment to thank all teams, players, fans, sponsors and participants ahead of puck drop and of course… We wish all teams the best of luck this season! 

The race to the Clear Cup.. BEGINS NOW