Ranking the worst hockey leagues

[Eye of Ra]

To my big suprise, i never seen a thread like this on Hfboards.

My point is not to make fun of any leagues. But i do think it will be interesting to discuss which leagues are the worst.

Dont include College and Juniors. And only first leagues.

I assume the following are at the bottom, not a ranking:

Turkish League
Bulgarian League
Iceland Leage
South African League
Israel League
Lithuanian League
Belgium League
Croatian league
Serbian League
Estonia League

Did i forgot any league? God knows how to rank these leagues. But be my guest if you have the knowledge.

Click to read more...

 

[Albatros]

There's no first-tier league in Belgium, instead they play the BeNe League which is far from the worst.

As for the worst league I don't know, never really followed any of them. But for example Macao must be up there if they still resume play.

 

[SemireliableSource]

I feel like you have to throw in the Middle Eastern leagues, Mexican league, and the New Zealand one as well.

 

[Albatros]

In the Middle East you have more expats that can play, some even have pro experience.

 

[HanTykje]

Norwegian league?

 

[DangeRouss]

These countries deserve respect just for setting up a league

I don't see the point of awarding the prize for the worst...

 

[Vandalay Industries]

Norwegian league?

Norwegian league??? The Norwegian league is far ahead of the mentioned leagues. The Norwegian league is about the same level as Denmark, DEL2, ECHL. Slightly behind Slovakia and Austria. The top 3-4 teams in Norway would be middle teams in Allsvenskan as well I suppose.

 

[HanTykje]

Norwegian league??? The Norwegian league is far ahead of the mentioned leagues. The Norwegian league is about the same level as Denmark, DEL2, ECHL. Slightly behind Slovakia and Austria. The top 3-4 teams in Norway would be middle teams in Allsvenskan as well I suppose.

If we add how many high pick players have ben draftet and how many stars the nations/leagues have there does Slovakia, Austria etc passing Norway.

 

[HungryFrank]

If we add how many high pick players have ben draftet and how many stars the nations/leagues have there does Slovakia, Austria etc passing Norway.

but still it is nowhere near the juggernauts listed above and completely out of place here.
Those countries contending for the title usually have 0 to 2 professional hockey players and fight to have 4 active teams so that IIHF doesn't kick them out.
If a country has a drafted homegrown player, then that country doesn't belong here.

I also believe that Bosnia & Herzegovina also has a "league".

 

[Albatros]

Indeed some leagues may not even have any semi-professional players.

 

[Rigafan]

Are ranking the worst professional leagues or all of them?

 

[LeProspector]

A 14/15 year old put up over PPG in the Estonian mens league. That’s all you need to know.

 

[Albatros]

A 14/15 year old put up over PPG in the Estonian mens league. That’s all you need to know.

And yet Tartu beat Lithuanian, Icelandic champions comfortably at the Continental Cup this year. Another mediocre league a light-year ahead the actual worst ones.