Liiga vs NAHL

How would you compare/contrast Liiga and NAHL?

We're comparing a professional Finnish league with the only Tier 2 junior league in the US. If we were comparing head to head, Liiga takes the edge here, but Liiga is also a pro level so can have players from any age playing here whereas NAHL can only roster junior aged players. That being said, each of these leagues are skilled with high end players for the level.

Our partners have been scouting both leagues in different classes of hockey over many years.

Liiga

Liiga is the top ice hockey league in Finland.

NAHL

The NAHL is the top and only Tier II junior hockey league in the United States with several dozen teams spread out across the country.

Location: Finland

Location: United States

Skill Level in Liiga

Liiga is the highest professional hockey league in Finland. Founded in 1975, the league has 15 clubs that span from the South near Helsinki all the way up to the Arctic Circle. It's considered by many to be one of the stronger leagues in Europe.

Skill Level in NAHL

Founded in 1975, the NAHL today is considered to be the second strongest junior league in the United States (trailing only the USHL). The league has a reputation for producing numerous NCAA commitments each season. Alongside the few thousand players who've committed to NCAA over the decades, hundreds of alumni have made the jump to the professional ranks. A few dozen have made it to the NHL.

Player Perspective: Liiga

"Liiga is the perfect league to play in, especially as an import from North America who enjoys the physical play paired with skill. I'd agree that Liiga's caliber is up there with a number of the top leagues in Europe based on my experience also playing in Germany and Austria. The fans hear love their hockey.

Player Perspective: NAHL

"The NAHL gave me the opportuniy for collegiate programs to see my potential. I was a late bloomer in junior and the NAHL gave me that extra time to improve my game before moving up the the college level."

Number of Teams in Liiga: 15

Number of Teams in NAHL: 35

Caliber of Players and Imports in Liiga

Skill level of Liiga players is extremely high, with only the best Finnish players moving up to the highest league. For imports, teams expect players in Europe with strong resumes and players from North America with high-end ECHL/AHL experience on their resumes. Some even have NHL games played. This shows the strength of the league.

Caliber of Players and Imports in NAHL

The NAHL is a strong junior league and is one of the best junior leagues in terms of NCAA commitments coming out of the league. For US players, you need to be a top level junior player to make and keep on a roster here. For imports coming from another country, teams will be looking for players with strong experience coming into junior.