| In the Canadian junior ice hockey system | | | | make the American Hockey League find |
| almost every young player dreams about one | | | | themselves looking for a job in the minor |
| day making it to the National Hockey | | | | leagues at the level below. A few of these |
| League.When you do a fast count in your head | | | | leagues are East Coast Hockey League, Central |
| you soon realize that there are a huge number | | | | Hockey League and the United Hockey League.As |
| of guys playing junior hockey in Canada. You | | | | you understand the players do not make as |
| also soon realize that very few of these ice | | | | much money in the minors as they do in the |
| hockey players actually will make it to the | | | | NHL and life is tougher as well.You still |
| National Hockey League.This article will | | | | play about 70 to 80 games a season in the |
| focus on all those ice hockey players that do | | | | minors and it is very rare that teams at this |
| not make it directly to the NHL.These players | | | | level travel by plane. So, if you do not know |
| have to prove themselves in the minor hockey | | | | how to sleep on a bus, you better learn. |
| system, before a few of them head up to the | | | | Fast!A game day in the life of a minor league |
| NHL where they want to play.The minor hockey | | | | ice hockey player could look like this:You |
| leagues are as follows:At the level below the | | | | wake up at around eight, have breakfast and |
| National Hockey League you find the American | | | | arrive at the rink at nine. At the rink you |
| Hockey League and here most of the players | | | | make sure that your equipment is OK and you |
| have NHL contracts. It is good ice hockey | | | | get ready for the mandatory pre-game skate. |
| with many good players.Players that do not | | | | |