News and Notes from 2025 GLHL League Meeting

The Great Lakes Hockey League (GLHL) held its annual Spring meeting following the conclusion of the 2024-25 season, laying the groundwork for an exciting 2025 campaign with new rules, division alignment, and updates to the year-end tournament.

New OT Format Approved
Starting this season, the GLHL will implement a new overtime format designed to bring more excitement and fairness to tied games:

• 4-on-4, 5-minute OT with teams switching ends

• If still tied, 3-on-3, 5-minute OT (teams return to original ends)

• If no winner, a shootout will determine the game

Dane County Departs
The GLHL bids farewell to the Dane County Dairy Kings, who will not return for the upcoming season following their inaugural campaign in 2024-25. The league thanks the organization for their efforts and contributions during their time in the GLHL.

Schedule Format
The regular season will return to a 20-game schedule. The GLHL will now have nine-teams, playing in a division format. 

• Teams will play their division rivals four times

• All other teams will be played twice, once each at home and on the road

2025 Divisions:

• North Division – Calumet Wolverines, Portage Lake Pioneers, Eagle River Falcons

• Central Division – De Pere Deacons, Mosinee Papermakers, M&M Shamrocks

• South Division – Fond du Lac Bears, Fox Cities Ice Dogs, Sun Prairie Killer Bees

2026 GLHL Tournament
The 2026 GLHL Tournament will feature all nine teams and will be hosted by Portage Lake during the final weekend of March.

Key changes and details:

• Pool Play Format:
  • ​Pool A: Seeds 1, 6, 9
  • Pool B: Seeds 2, 5, 8
  • Pool C: Seeds 3, 4, 7
• Each team plays two pool games. Pool winners and one wildcard (based on points, then goal differential if necessary) advance to the semifinals. Goal differential is capped at +6 per game during preliminary rounds.
• Point system:
  • 3 points for a regulation win
  • 2 points for an overtime win
  • 1 point for an overtime loss
  • 0 points for a regulation loss