3ICE is a 3-on-3 summer ice hockey league, with a number of minor rules variations from the traditional 5-on-5 version of the sport. Teams are not based out of a particular city but being named for their head coach, which are retired NHL players. The league plays a barn-storming weekly tournament style schedule with four or six teams playing two or three games each with a different city being played on each date.
Founding and Start-up[]
The league was formed in 2020, and was set to commence play in June 2021, but the first season ended up being pushed back to 2022. The playoff champions are awarded the Patrick Cup. Games are televised on the CBS Sports Network and CBS.
Rosters[]
Rosters are built with a player draft prior to the start of the season. The roster is limited to 7 players per team.
Rule Variations from standard hockey[]
- 3-on-3 at all times
- Penalties result in a penalty shot
- Game is played in 2-8 minute halves with running clock (only stopped for penalties and injuries)
- Games tied after regulation go to a one-round sudden death shootout continuing until there is a winner.
- Pucks rebounding off the netting above the glass are still in play.
- Intentional icing is a penalty, resulting in a penalty shot.
- Basketball's half court rule is used, if the puck comes back over the center line it is a turnover
- An arc is in front of the goal crease, which is used for resetting play when the goaltender makes a clear save and all opponents must exit the arc area. The arc stars on the goal line about equivalent to the inner edge of the two attacking zone face off spots.
- No coaches challenges
Points for standings[]
Each event is held in a bracket style knockout tournament. Teams receive 1 point for a round one win, 2 more points for a round two win, and 3 more points for a round three win. When four teams participate a straight elimination format is used with a consolation game. When six teams participate and have the highest scoring losing team advancing as the wild card entry in the semifinal round and no consolation game is played. The format of the events accounts for teams not playing the same number of games as some teams can play 1 to 3 games per event.
Teams[]
| Team | Tenure |
|---|---|
| 3ICE Boston | (2024-present) |
| 3ICE Buffalo | (2024-present) |
| 3ICE Chicago | (2024-present) |
| 3ICE Dallas | (2024-present) |
| 3ICE Minnesota | (2024-present) |
| 3ICE NY/NJ | (2024-present) |
| 3ICE Pittsburgh | (2024-present) |
| 3ICE Tennessee | (2024-present) |
Former Teams[]
| Team | Tenure |
|---|---|
| Team Carbonneau | (2022-2023) |
| Team Fuhr | (2022-2023) |
| Team LeClair | (2022-2023) |
| Team Mullen | (2022-2023) |
| Team Murphy | (2022-2023) |
| Team Trottier | (2022-2023) |
| Team Bourque | (2023-2023) |
| Team Johnston | (2023-2023) |
| Team Patrick | (2023-2023) |
Seasons[]
| Season | Patrick Cup Champions |
|---|---|
| 2022 | Team Trottier |
| 2023 | Team Murphy |
| 2024 | The league announced in mid May, 2024 that the league would not be playing a 2024 season and was planning on returning for a 2025 season.[1] |