Little Caesars Amateur Hockey League

Michael and Marian Ilitch, the founders of Little Caesars Pizza, began sponsorship of the Little Caesars Amateur Hockey League (L.C.A.H.L.) in 1979. The league was created to increase the level of competitive play and provide more opportunities for Metro Detroit youth hockey players. The league began with less than 30 travel teams made up of 450 boys between the ages of four and nine.

Today, the league consists of more than 900 travel and house teams with 16,000 youth hockey players competing in over 100 rinks in the Detroit metro area, including Joe Louis Arena.

The Little Caesars Amateur Hockey League is not only the largest youth hockey league in the United States, but also is considered one of the best-operated leagues. "USA Hockey appreciates the efforts of the Little Caesars Amateur Hockey League," said USA Hockey Executive Director Doug Palazzari. "Over the years, the Little Caesars organization has helped so many youngsters enjoy the sport of ice hockey," added Palazzari.

In August 1999, the Little Caesars Amateur Hockey League created a website designed to increase communication within the league and provide information for current players. With over one million hits during the past year, it has become a successful mode of relaying information to over 16,000 families throughout the league.

The Little Caesars Amateur Hockey League is currently operated by 36 volunteer board members that administer the budget; create and administer rules of play; coordinate team registration, association membership, and collection of league fees; schedule regular season and playoff play; coordinate the Little Caesars Annual Thanksgiving Hockey Tournament Showcase. The executive president of the L.C.A.H.L. reports to the Sports Marketing Division of the Corporate Communications Department at Little Caesars Enterprises, Inc.

by Mike Reed 

Michigan has always been a hot-bed for youth hockey and, nowhere, is it more apparent than in the Little Caesars Amateur Hockey League (LCAHL) where youngsters are developing into tomorrow’s superstars.

But what is the LCAHL?

It's seed was planted in 1979, when Little Caesars’ owners Mike and Marian Ilitch created a league to increase the level of competitive play and provide more opportunities for Metro Detroit youth hockey players.

The league began with fewer than 30 travel teams and was made up of 450 boys between the ages of four and nine. The Ilitches’ commitment to amateur hockey over the next two decades has translated into the nation’s largest amateur hockey league comprised of 950 teams and over 15,000 skaters. With teams stretching out from Fort Wayne, Indiana, to Cincinnati, Ohio, and from Kalkaska, Michigan, to the outstretched borders of Windsor, the LCAHL covers the whole Midwestern gamut.

The league has age groups ranging from mini-mites (ages 6 and under) to Junior Cs (18 and older). Although the league began with only boys’ teams, a girls’ division began a few years back and continues to be the largest growing section of the LCAHL. Couple that with the league’s new commitment to its Junior Varsity program -- a league that offers Michigan high schools the opportunity to offer its athletes a chance to play JV hockey -- and it’s no wonder the league continues to grow by leaps and bounds.

“Our goal is to bring youth hockey to every youngster and teach them sportsmanship and teamwork and help them to become more involved adults,” said Jodi Foster, the LCAHL League Commissioner.

The Little Caesars Amateur Hockey League is currently operated by 36 volunteer Board of Directors and Operation Board members and officials that administer the budget; create and administer rules of play; coordinate team registration and association membership, collect league fees; schedule regular-season and playoff play; and coordinate the Little Caesars Annual Thanksgiving Hockey Tournament Showcase.

[This Item First Posted: 10/15/2003 - Edited & Updated: 9/14/2007]