MBHL Background Information The Metropolitan Boston Hockey League (MBHL) was founded in 1977, and has grown into one of the finest "AAA" - style or "Tier I" leagues in North America. The MBHL is a AAA youth hockey league that is unique. The MBHL plays modified NCAA rules, the same as in U.S. college hockey. Slapshots and body checking are allowed at all age levels, instead of being introduced well after young players have had a chance to develop a lot of bad habits. To the best of our knowledge, no other youth hockey organization in North America -- or the world, for that matter -- permits body checking or slapshots as the MBHL does. We believe that's the way hockey is meant to be played, at any age and by either gender. The MBHL enjoys a long-standing reputation for producing superior hockey talent. As a result, the MBHL is well known in the Catholic and Prep school ranks as a breeding ground for the kind of players they're looking for. Many prep school coaches may be found scouting prospects for their programs at our sanctioned tournaments, as well as at our season-ending playoffs. The MBHL sends an unprecedented number of players to the prep school ranks, where, almost without exception, they do very well both academically and athletically, and usually go on to a successful college career. MBHL play begins the first weekend after Labor Day (the first Monday in September) and winds up with playoffs in late March of the following year.