Metropolitan Boston Hockey League
The Metropolitan Boston Hockey League was a youth hockey league founded March 31, 1977, and incorporated in Massachusetts in August 1979.
| The Metropolitan Boston Hockey League | |
 | |
| City | Boston, MA |
| Classification | Minor Hockey |
| Founded | March 31, 1977 |
| Colors | Gold and Black |
The MBHL was unique in youth hockey. The MBHL was classified as an "AAA" or "Tier I" league, but did not had a ranked team in the top 50 "AAA" nationally in its last several years. However, Assebet Valley had been on the fringe of these rankings several times over the past decade. Within the league, modified NCAA rules were played, the same as in U.S. college hockey. Slapshots and body checking were allowed at all age levels. MBHL league play began the first weekend after Labor Day and winded up with playoffs in late March of the following year. No other Minor hockey organization in North America—or the world, permitted body checking or slapshots at the Mite & Squirt/Novice & Atom levels.
The MBHL had Twenty Two original organizations (some teams changed the team names): Bay State Sharks, formerly the Plymouth County All Stars, North Shore Raiders, Hobomock U.S.A. (became New England Falcons, now Bridgewater Bandits), The Worcester Crusaders, UMass Lowell River Hawks men's ice hockey (formerly Lowell Chiefs, then West River Wolves), Mass Bay Chiefs, St. Moritz Devils and the Springfield Pics. The Bay State Breakers, Boston Jr. Eagles, Boston Jr. Terriers, West River Wolves, Bridgewater Bandits, Middlesex Islanders, Minuteman Flames, Providence Capitals (formerly Providence Friars), South Shore Kings, Merrimack Cardinals, and Top Gun all left the MBHL in 2004 for the Eastern Hockey Federation.
Upon the leagues discontinuation after the end of the 2008-2009 season, most remaining teams transferred to the New England Hockey League, which has since been split into the Boston Hockey League and the Elite 9 Hockey League.
Teams
The MBHL had 9 Member Organization in its last season (see table at bottom).
| Team | City | Home Rink |
|---|---|---|
| Capital District Selects | Troy, NY | Frear Park |
| Connecticut Lazers | Simsbury, CT | International Skating Center of Connecticut |
| Connecticut Wolves | Northford, CT | Northford Ice |
| Edgewood Hawks | Cranston, RI | Schneider Arena |
| Lowell Jr. River Hawks | Lowell, MA | Janas Arena |
| New Hampshire Avalanche | Hooksett, NH | Ice Den Arena |
| St. Moritz Devils | Dedham, MA | Boston Ice Center |
| Springfield Pics | Springfield, MA | Olympia Ice Center |
| Worcester Crusaders | Worcester, MA | Buffone Rink |
High school programs fed
The MBHL feeds many High School programs.
- Catholic Memorial High School
- Cushing Academy
- Lawrence Academy at Groton
- Malden Catholic High School
- Matignon High School
- Middlesex School
- Phillips Andover Academy
- Phillips Exeter Academy
- Saint Peter-Marian High School
- St. John's High School
- St. John's Preparatory School
- St. Mark's School
- Saint Sebastian's School
- Thayer Academy
- Worcester Academy
Notable MBHL player alumni
NHL, AHL, other pro, NCAA Div I, or drafted
Players
- Kyle Amaral
- Tom Barasso
- Allen Bourbeau
- Phil Bourque
- Bobby Brooke
- Doug Brown
- Ed Campbell
- Jim Campbell
- Bob Carpenter
- Eddie Caron
- John Carter
- Ted Crowley
- Marvin Degon
- John Doherty
- Ted Donato
- Hal Gill
- Mike Grier
- Bill Guerin
- Ned Havern
- Steve Heinze
- Scott Horvath
- Jeff Lazaro
- Jordan LaVallee
- John Lilley
- Shawn McEachern
- Jeff Norton
- Joe Parker
- James Pemberton
- Jeff Pietrasiak
- Tom Poti
- Jeremy Roenick
- Kevin Stevens
- Bob Sweeney
- Keith Tkachuk
- Dan Travis
- Noah Welch
- Mike Ruggiero
- Jim Carey
- Scott Young
- Teddy Doherty
Coaches
- Bob Sweeney
- Ulf Samuelsson
- Scott Greer
- Bobby Carpenter