Texas Hockey League Set to Launch Inaugural Season

The wait is over. Tomorrow morning, the Texas Hockey League (THL) officially drops the puck on its inaugural 2025–26 regular season. The new league, spanning clubs across Texas and Oklahoma, represents the culmination of months of collaboration, preparation, and shared vision among hockey leaders throughout the region.
Building the League
The journey began this past spring when clubs came together with a bold idea: to form a league that prioritizes competitive balance, efficient scheduling, and the best possible experience for players and families.
From the start, communication and collaboration between THL Member Club Hockey Directors was remarkable Guided by the mantra “a hockey league built by hockey people,” these directors provided the input and leadership that shaped the league’s foundation.
Leveling & Scheduling
Over the summer, the newly formed Leveling Committee began the critical work of reviewing game data from Labor Day tournament and exhibition play. Every result was tracked, every score considered, and every team carefully evaluated. The committee’s goal: to ensure each team was placed in the most appropriate division for competitive balance.
With divisions set, the focus shifted to scheduling. The league built frameworks designed to prioritize strong matchups while reducing unnecessary travel. Last weekend, all member clubs gathered for the inaugural THL Scheduling Meeting, where schedulers, volunteers, and administrators worked together to finalize over a thousand league games. In the days following the scheduling meeting, league operations staff polished details, adjusted where needed, and confirmed ice availability across all facilities.
Recognizing the Process
League leaders acknowledge that no system is perfect. Every decision made during leveling and scheduling was guided by the league’s dual priorities of competitive integrity and respect for travel requirements.
Several divisions emerged as particularly unique this year:
  • 12UAA – Red & White Divisions
    THL introduced 12UAA Red and 12UAA White for the upcoming season. While teams will primarily compete within their assigned “color,” crossover play will also occur, giving clubs opportunities to measure themselves against the broader division.
  • 14UA – A Deep and Competitive Pool
    Data from leveling showed an unusually deep and evenly matched group at 14U A. After exploring several options, the committee opted to keep all teams together in a single division, utilizing unbalanced scheduling to ensure competitive games while still managing travel. Although teams will not face every opponent in league play, matchups are expected to push development and showcase the strength of the division.
  • 16UAA – Spotlighting the Upper Tier
    Two teams — the Dallas Penguins and the Texas Tigers — separated themselves from the rest of the 16UAA pack during leveling. For 2025–26, these clubs will compete as 16UAA Upper, creating a unique dynamic where the five other 16UAA teams will have the chance to bring their best to knock off two upper teams. As it relates to the State Tournament, the Upper teams will automatically claim two of the four playoff berths, with the remaining five teams battling for the other two. Advancement to Nationals will still require winning the State Championship.
Looking Ahead
As the inaugural season begins, league leaders are quick to credit the many individuals who brought the THL to life: hockey directors, schedulers, volunteers, coaches, parents, and players.
“This is the start of a new era for youth hockey in our region,” said Commissioner Andy Gibson. “The amount of time, care, and collaboration that went into this offseason shows the strength of our community. Tomorrow, when our teams take the ice under the THL banner for the first time, it will be a celebration of everyone’s hard work.”
What’s Next
The excitement doesn’t stop with opening day. In the weeks ahead, the league will release detailed playoff formats for each age division, outlining how postseason competition will take shape in the THL’s first year.
For now, the focus is on the opening weekend — and the beginning of what promises to be a competitive, memorable, and historic season.