AAA: AHL - Each NHL team (except Florida) has a primary affiliation with one of the 29 AHL teams. They call up players directly from these teams and send players down directly to these teams.

High AA: ECHL - NHL teams and their AHL affiliates have affiliations, either primary or shared, with an ECHL team. AHL teams call players up from the ECHL and send players down to the ECHL. Some ECHL players will eventually make it to the NHL.

Low AA: IHL, CHL - These leagues are, for the most part, unaffiliated with NHL teams. You will see more veterans in these leagues than you will in the ECHL. The talent level is slightly less than in the ECHL.

A: SPHL, MAHL, NEHL - The SPHL has been around for a few years, the NEHL is in its third season, and the MAHL is new this season. The SPHL is the top A league. Players on these teams may be called up by ECHL, CHL, or IHL teams to take the place of injured players or call-ups.

Unclassifiable: LNAH - This is a minor pro league based solely in Quebec. There is no veteran limit so many former NHL players along with career minor leaguers are in this league. It is known as the roughest hockey league in the world and each team carries at least three enforcers on their roster.

They do not have a rookie league. Unlike baseball where players typically start at single A and work their way upwards, with a few exceptions, the prospects with the highest potential will play in the AHL. Players who land in single A in hockey are long shots at best of playing in the NHL.