Mestis vs NHL

How would you compare/contrast Mestis and NHL?

The NHL sits at a much different level being the top league in the world. Although Mestis has a ton of skilled players, it's just at a bit lower level.

Our partners have a deep understanding on the specific levels in each of these differing hockey leagues.

Mestis

Mestis is the 2nd highest level of ice hockey in Finland.

NHL

The NHL (National Hockey League) is the top ice hockey league in the world with 32 teams spanning North America.

Location: Finland

Location: North America

Skill Level in Mestis

It's a quality 2nd league in a powerhouse hockey country. In general, Mestis is a slightly younger league with a lot of quality up-and-coming talent. Compared to other hockey countries, most clubs here don't have the same financial budgets that other 2nd leagues (HockeyAllsvenskan, DEL2) might have. The majority of players in the league are Finnish.

Skill Level in NHL

The NHL (National Hockey League) is considered the top ice hockey league in the world. The league is currently made up of 32 teams spanning North America in both the United States and Canada.

Player Perspective: Mestis

"It's a good league with lot of young players coming up. We play in southern Finland (Södra) so our travel schedule is a bit lighter, but we keep busy between all training, matches, and team event. I have played in Liiga of course, but am happy here now raising a family in my home town."

Player Perspective: NHL

"Playing in the NHL is just incredible. The level of play, depth of every single roster, and the pace of the game today here is unparalleled. There's a reason it is the best league in the world."

Number of Teams in Mestis: 12

Number of Teams in NHL: 32

Caliber of Players and Imports in Mestis

As we mentioned above, the majority of players across Mestis are Finnish. This equates to less imports on each team throughout the league. The caliber of play in Mestis is good as it's filled with a mix of talented young players and veterans. The average age across all teams is young with team average ages ranging from 22 on the lower side and 25-26 average age on on the high end. In most cases, if you're an import here, teams will expect you to have some good pro experience or strong stats playing in NCAA/USports/etc. Since they're picky about imports in Mestis, this is especially the case.

Caliber of Players and Imports in NHL

The caliber of play you need to play in the NHL is second to none. Each roster is filled with world class players ranging from young players to best in class veterans who've solidified themselves in the world's top league. The best players around the world from North America to Europe all vie to make it to the NHL.