Tier 2 Junior A Hockey is a level below Major Junior Hockey.  At this level most players are looking to obtain a scholarship to a U.S. NCAA Division 1 school.  There are many teams and may opportunities across North America for players to play at this level.  Here we break down the leagues and teams so you don't have to.  You can go directly to their sites and see what they are all about.

In Canada:
Canadian Junior A Hockey League
www.cjahl.com

British Columbia Junior A Hockey League
www.bchl.bc.ca

Alberta Junior A Hockey League
www.ajhl.ca

Saskatchewan Junior A Hockey League
www.sjhl.ca

Manitoba Junior A Hockey League
www.mjhlhockey.ca

Superior International Junior A Hockey League
www.sijhl.com

Northern Ontario Junior A Hockey League
www.nojhl.com

Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League
www.opjhl.ca

Central Junior A Hockey League
www.cjhl.on.ca

Ligue de Hockey Junior AAA du Quebec
www.lhjaaaq.qc.ca

Martime Junior A Hockey League
www.mjahl.com

In the United States of America:
USA Hockey
www.usahockey.com

Tier 1 - United States Hockey League
www.ushl.com

Tier 2 - North American Hockey League
www.nahl.com

Tier 3 - Atlantic Junior Hockey League
www.atlantichockey.org

Tier 3 - Eastern Junior Hockey League
www.easternjunior.com

Tier 3 - Central States Hockey League
www.cshlhockey.net

Tier 3 - Minnesota Junior Hockey League
www.mnjhl.com

Tier 3 - Northern Pacific Hockey League
www.thenphl.com

Tier 3 - Western States Hockey League
www.wshl.org

Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) is university hockey in Canada.  It's an eclectic mix of players from hockey backgrounds like: high school, Junior A and B, Major Junior and even minor pro.  While it's not uncommon for players to move to the pros after they graduate, it is a well-known fact these players make sure to get a good education.  The level of play in the CIS has improved greatly over the past few years.  One of the perks of playing here are exhibition games against NCAA Div. 1 teams.  Nowadays you will find many CIS teams beating their NCAA opponents.

CIS
www.universitysport.ca

Atlantic University Sport
www.atlanticuniversitysport.com

Canada West Universities Athletic Association
www.canadawest.org

Ontario University Athletics
www.oua.ca

Quebec Student Sports Federation
www.fqse.qc.ca

In the United States the NCAA Division 1 is the top tier of college hockey.  You will find many stars of the NHL coming out of these ranks.  Full athletic scholarships are the norm.  Expect to play in front of boisterous student-fans and expect to perform well in each and every game.  It take a lot to get to this level - hard work, great skill, and an attitude to win.  You will also find the NCAA Division 3.  Schools are generally smaller and they give out academic scholarships to players.  The hockey is still quite good and many players wind up at the professional ranks as well.  Most people feel the ranking system is NCAA Div. 1, the CIS, NCAA Div. 3. 

 

Here's the links to the NCAA Division 1 Leagues:

NCAA
www.ncaasports.com/icehockey/mens
 

ECAC Hockey

 

Hockey East

 

Atlantic Hockey

 

Central Collegiate Hockey Association

 

Western Collegiate Hockey Association

 

College Hockey America

www.collegehockeyamerica.com