Midwest Prep Hockey League
A non-profit league of academically driven prep schools, built to develop student-athletes for NCAA, junior and professional hockey, and for life after the game.
League calendar
Three league weekends bring the schools together in one building so scouts can see every program, then all eight teams meet at Ridley for the Semplice Trophy.
Season at a glance
- Member schools
- 8
- Divisions
- Malloy · Bowers
- League games per team
- 8 minimum
- Playoff seeding
- MyHockey Rankings
- Playoff format
- 8-team round robin
- Playoff periods
- 18 minutes
- Roster deadline
- Jan 15
Welcome, MacLachlan College. The Mariners from Oakville, Ontario join the MPHL for 2026–27, taking the place of Rice Memorial.
Mini box scores
Every completed league game so far this season. Full box scores, lineups and play-by-play live on GameSheet.
Eight programs, two divisions
Every member is a school-based program. The MPHL is not pay-to-play.
League champions
Every MPHL champion since the league's first season in 2000–01.
The Semplice Trophy
Named in honor of Leonard Semplice (2000–2013) for his vision, service, passion and dedication to the league.
| Season | Champion |
|---|
A pathway on and off the ice
Founded in 2000, the Midwest Prep Hockey League gives preparatory school programs in the United States and Canada a structured, high-caliber schedule. It began with six founding schools and has grown into a league of top prep programs from multiple regions.
The MPHL works as a development pipeline. Showcase weekends, head-to-head matchups and long-running rivalries put student-athletes in front of college programs and scouts, while member schools keep academics at the center.
Founding members
- Culver Academies
- Gilmour Academy
- Lake Forest Academy
- Park Tudor School
- Shady Side Academy
- St. Francis High School
Our vision
A league that champions athletic development, academic integrity and opportunities for young athletes to compete at higher levels, with a culture of growth, teamwork and excellence.
Where MPHL players go next
Alumni have moved on to major junior, NCAA and professional hockey, including the NHL, and to careers in business, medicine, law, engineering, education and coaching.
NCAA D-I & D-III
- Big Ten
- Hockey East
- NCHC
- ECAC Hockey
- CCHA
- Atlantic Hockey
Major junior
- OHL
- WHL
- QMJHL
Junior A
- USHL
- NAHL
- BCHL
Professional
- NHL
- AHL
- ECHL
- Europe
How the league runs
Key rules from the current league guidelines. Members receive the full document by email from the commissioner.
Season structure
- Eight member schools in two divisions, Malloy and Bowers.
- Minimum of 8 regular-season league games plus the playoff weekend. No more than 15 games count toward the standings.
- Teams may schedule flex games on their own to reach the minimum. The league does not cover flex-game costs.
Game format
- Three periods of 17, 18 or 20 minutes. Playoff games use 18-minute periods.
- 5-minute warm-up on clean ice for every game. Ice cut after each period when possible, and at least every two periods.
- USA Hockey High School/Midget rules apply in the U.S.; Hockey Canada rules apply in Canada. Neck guards are mandatory.
- Home team wears dark, visitors wear white. The first team listed is home; in the playoffs the higher seed is home.
- No limit on coaches, staff, skaters or goalies dressed on the bench.
Overtime & shootout
- 5 minutes of 3-on-3 sudden death, regular season and playoffs.
- Then a 3-player shootout. No player shoots twice until every eligible player has shot, then sudden death.
- Players in the penalty box, ejected or not dressed are not eligible to shoot.
Eligibility & rosters
- Players may not be older than 19 at the start of the school year.
- Rosters are due January 15. Students who enroll after that date are not eligible for the rest of the regular season or playoffs.
- Complete GameSheet rosters and current team logos before the first league game. Player headshots are encouraged.
Officials & discipline
- Three-official minimum: two referees and one linesman, or one referee and two linesmen. Four-official crews are welcome. Two-official crews only in an emergency.
- Game misconducts are served in the player's next scheduled MPHL games.
- Head coaches may meet in person or by Zoom to review a major or match penalty. Majority vote decides; a tie keeps the original call.
- Conduct complaints can trigger a committee review, and host schools may share game video with all members.
Playoffs & tie-breakers
- All eight teams play a round robin for the Semplice Trophy over 3–4 days.
- 2026–27: seeding by MyHockey Rankings.
- Tie-breakers: head-to-head, goal differential between tied teams, goal quotient between tied teams, then coin flip.
Hosting a league weekend
- The host secures and pays for ice. Games run between 8:30 am and 10:30 pm.
- At least 5 hours between a team's games on the same day, no more than 2 games per day, and no games less than 12 hours apart on back-to-back days.
- The host provides a trainer or medical coverage, scorekeepers, signage and officials, and enters games in GameSheet.
- A scout and coach room with programs, schedules and rosters is preferred. All games should be live streamed.
- Schools that host a league weekend have that season's dues waived.
Dues, meetings & awards
- Annual dues: $3,500 per school. Dues cover officials, scorekeepers and medical coverage for league games, playoff plaques, medals and trophy, the website and GameSheet, and administration.
- At least three league meetings a season, in person or by Zoom. Day-to-day communication runs through email and the MPHL WhatsApp group.
- Coaches nominate All-Stars and honorable mentions from their own rosters (name, position, grade) and vote for Coach of the Year.
- MPHL patches are required on home and away jerseys or pants from the first league game. Patch orders: Bob, Jog Athletics, 847-584-0305.
Inquiries to join
The MPHL grows selectively. We look for independent and boarding schools with established varsity hockey, strong administrative support and a real commitment to long-term student-athlete development.
- Send an inquiryInclude the school name and location, leadership contacts, academic mission and details of the hockey program.
- League reviewThe league evaluates academic philosophy, program structure, facilities and staffing. An inquiry does not guarantee acceptance.
- MembershipMembers follow the bylaws, take part in league scheduling and governance, and uphold the league's sportsmanship standards.