What is a Garage League?

The garage league is what the NHL is mockingly called in the hockey world after Pittsburgh Penguins legend Mario Lemieux used the phrase in 1992 to criticize the NHL for its substandard officiating. Lemieux was misquoted as calling the NHL a “garbage league”, when he was in fact comparing it to a “ligue de garage”, what recreational hockey leagues are called in Québec.  

League Synopsis

  • A small league made up of friends and acquaintances
  • Moderately competitive hockey
  • Positive, safe, inclusive environment
  • Referees and timekeepers 
  • CARHA Player insurance
  • 4-6 teams with 11-14 player rosters
  • Team draft before each season for team balance
  • Friend requests for team formation
  • League home/away jerseys and socks, reused each season regardless of team

Time and Place

  • Winnipeg Winter Club
  • Mid-September to mid-March
  • Weekly Thursday 9:45pm or Saturday 8:30pm or 9:45pm ice time
  • 24 week season
  • 2 preseason scrimmages,  18 regular season games, 2-4 playoff games

Cost and Registration 

  • Registration August 1 – August 25
  • $400 registration fee paid by August 25
  • Goalies play free
  • $250 for light and dark jerseys and socks, can be reused each season

Why Join Garage League of Hockey?

  • Consistent schedule
  • Affordable registration fees
  • A team experience to encourage attendance and camaraderie
  • More commitment than scrimmage, less combative than beer league
  • Playing with and against friends
  • High standard of safe and respectful play
  • Bi-monthly league social events
  • A league that we can age with!