Independent Junior Hockey Leagues Function

[SmoothGentleman]

I'm building a custom world, I was wondering how independent Junior Hockey Leagues function. Mostly, will players be eligible for every Major League draft? Also, will players look to move to higher rated Junior Hockey Leagues?

I want to add several, since there's no way to work with college programs in a custom world (I hope that changes for the next version, even if they don't work exactly like a Standard game).

[Goalie39]

From what I understand (and if anyone has more insights, please feel free to jump in), anyone can get drafted as long as they meet the quality standard of the league, even if they're from unaffiliated junior leagues. Connected junior leagues tend to have priority, and players can sometimes be pulled from the junior league early to play in the connected league.

In my custom league, I’ve incorporated College (NCAA). While it’s not entirely accurate, it works with some modifications. Here’s what I do—feedback from others who have tried this would be greatly appreciated:

- Draft System:
7 to 10 rounds of drafts to refill teams (I’m still tweaking the exact number).

- Player Movement Restrictions:
I turn off Free Agency and trading, making the draft the only way teams can add players. However, I do allow players to be released.

- NCAA Eligibility:
I set the minimum and maximum ages for NCAA players to 18–24 in the league edit. While this is more than the usual four years, it accounts for players starting later (e.g., entering NCAA at age 20 after junior hockey).

- Junior Leagues as Feeders:
I’ve manually added unaffiliated junior leagues to the game, including the USHL, BCHL, NAHL, and several Canadian Junior A leagues. Players in these leagues move around as they get released or their contracts expire.

- Importing Junior Leagues:
Note that you cannot directly import these leagues into the game as junior leagues. If you use the import function in a custom game, they’ll be imported as non-junior leagues. To work around this, I create a new junior league and then import each team into the newly created league. This setup works well once it's established.

[SmoothGentleman]

Originally Posted by Goalie39

From what I understand (and if anyone has more insights, please feel free to jump in), anyone can get drafted as long as they meet the quality standard of the league, even if they're from unaffiliated junior leagues. Connected junior leagues tend to have priority, and players can sometimes be pulled from the junior league early to play in the connected league.

In my custom league, I’ve incorporated College (NCAA). While it’s not entirely accurate, it works with some modifications. Here’s what I do—feedback from others who have tried this would be greatly appreciated:

- Draft System:
7 to 10 rounds of drafts to refill teams (I’m still tweaking the exact number).

- Player Movement Restrictions:
I turn off Free Agency and trading, making the draft the only way teams can add players. However, I do allow players to be released.

- NCAA Eligibility:
I set the minimum and maximum ages for NCAA players to 18–24 in the league edit. While this is more than the usual four years, it accounts for players starting later (e.g., entering NCAA at age 20 after junior hockey).

- Junior Leagues as Feeders:
I’ve manually added unaffiliated junior leagues to the game, including the USHL, BCHL, NAHL, and several Canadian Junior A leagues. Players in these leagues move around as they get released or their contracts expire.

- Importing Junior Leagues:
Note that you cannot directly import these leagues into the game as junior leagues. If you use the import function in a custom game, they’ll be imported as non-junior leagues. To work around this, I create a new junior league and then import each team into the newly created league. This setup works well once it's established.

You set NCAA as a Junior League? Then add unaffiliated Juniors as feeders and the NCAA League will draft (recruit) some Freshman (18 year olds) and Junior players between 18-20? With NCAA connected to NHL?



That seems like something I'm down to try.


I'm building several Major Leagues, 1 or 2 close to NHL level. I was hoping each of those leagues would scout the independent Junior leagues and draft from them as well. Your setup for NCAA is a great work around to implement college hockey in a custom.

[Goalie39]

Originally Posted by SmoothGentleman

You set NCAA as a Junior League? Then add unaffiliated Juniors as feeders and the NCAA League will draft (recruit) some Freshman (18 year olds) and Junior players between 18-20? With NCAA connected to NHL?



That seems like something I'm down to try.


I'm building several Major Leagues, 1 or 2 close to NHL level. I was hoping each of those leagues would scout the independent Junior leagues and draft from them as well. Your setup for NCAA is a great work around to implement college hockey in a custom.

Not exactly, the NCAA is a regular league, not a junior league.


Junior players get drafted in the NCAA and if good enought in the NHL. You still have players playing in the NCAA while having rights to NHL teams like in the regular game. Yes, the leagues will scout all juniors leagues in your custom game and draft from them as well. If you set your draft pool ages up to 20 in those major league, you will also draft from the NCAA in this setup for those major leagues.



Hope that makes senses


Again not 100% authentic, but it still a way to add college hockey in a custom game.

[SmoothGentleman]

Originally Posted by Goalie39

Not exactly, the NCAA is a regular league, not a junior league.


Junior players get drafted in the NCAA and if good enought in the NHL. You still have players playing in the NCAA while having rights to NHL teams like in the regular game. Yes, the leagues will scout all juniors leagues in your custom game and draft from them as well. If you set your draft pool ages up to 20 in those major league, you will also draft from the NCAA in this setup for those major leagues.



Hope that makes senses


Again not 100% authentic, but it still a way to add college hockey in a custom game.

I believe I have it, so I should create NCAA as a Major League, don't add juniors as being connected and I don't link NCAA to NHL or any Major League and players will get drafted due to the age?


So, NCAA players will be eligible for each Major League draft (I'd like this)?

Thank you for the help.

[Goalie39]

Originally Posted by SmoothGentleman

I believe I have it, so I should create NCAA as a Major League, don't add juniors as being connected and I don't link NCAA to NHL or any Major League and players will get drafted due to the age?


So, NCAA players will be eligible for each Major League draft (I'd like this)?

Thank you for the help.

Exactly!