Controversial Hockey League delays launch following horrendous tryout process

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Axel Williams
August 21, 2024 (8:19)

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If you are a hockey fan who is trying to watch something other than the NHL, you may have heard of the new professional hockey league called Major League Hockey.

This league is meant to be 3-on-3 and will feature professional hockey stars, as well as players off the street, or at least that's how the league was marketed. The league is set to launch in 16 cities, and there was optimism that MLH would begin sometime this Fall. However, in a statement, it was revealed that the league's launch will actually happen in October 2025 as Major League Hockey CEO Max Chambers goes through health struggles.

"MLH did not make this decision lightly, as its investors and team worked tirelessly to bring this innovative and exciting new 3-on-3 product to life. However, postponing the launch is the best course of action due to unforeseen medical challenges regarding the CEO's health and the need for additional time to ensure every aspect of the League meets the highest standards.

The fourteen coaches and GMs, already under contract, will use the upcoming season to scout Major Junior, NCAA, and USports games. Each agreed that it was better to wait until October 2025 than to rush into 2024 without the League's CEO."

Major League Hockey starts next year

This news comes after controversy surrounding the league's tryout system. It was revealed that people could pay hundreds of dollars to try out for the league's various franchises. If you didn't make a team, you would not get your money back.

Following this backlash, the league decided to change course and offer up a new tryout system. Eventually, the tryouts were canceled, and the league was turned into a bit of a laughingstock.

Moving forward, there is no telling whether or not the league will ever play a single game. Kickstarting new professional sports leagues is a difficult process. This is certainly true in football, where Spring leagues have mostly failed at capturing the NFL audience. Hopefully, they can figure it all out.

Do you believe that this league is going to fail? Let us know in the poll down below and stay tuned to Hockey Unplugged for the latest news and updates from around the hockey world.

Source: Major League Hockey
Major League Hockey announcement