:''Note: There is no official classification system for minor professional hockey leagues, and appellations such as "AAA," "AA" or "A" leagues are not generally acknowledged by hockey authorities. The AHL is the most highly-ranked minor league. The ECHL, IHL, and CHL are on the next tier below and act as feeders to the AHL, with the ECHL being the greatest of the three "equals" due to its more official ties to the NHL. The IHL would be considered second to the ECHL and slightly above the CHL due to higher allowance of veteran players and a higher salary cap. The SPHL in turn is a feeder to the ECHL, IHL and CHL. This tier is followed by several lower-grade and semi-pro leagues.
