PLAYOFF SEEDING

Draft Rules: Please read these rules completely.

  • Each team will draft 6 forwards, 3 defensemen, and 1 goalie.
  • The same players can be drafted in different series, but in each matchup both teams cannot have the same player.
  • After every round new matchups are calculated and teams draft again.
  • Teams are "drafted" off of draft lists that are submitted to the UFHL Headquarters. Each team will need to submit an ordered draft list prior to each round.
  • Drafting order is determined by a Home Ice Advantage factor that is based on regular season points.

Home Ice Advantage:

  • Which ever team has more points in the regular season earns one Home Ice Advantage Pick (this means they pick first).
  • More Home Ice Advantage picks are awarded depending on the lead that a team has over their opponent.
    • 301-600 more points = a second Home Ice Advantage Pick
    • 601-900 more points = a third Home Ice Advantage Pick
    • 901 and more points = a fourth Home Ice Advantage Pick
  • Home Ice Advantage Picks are limited to a maximum number of picks per round.
    • First Round - 4 Home Ice Advantage Picks Maximum
    • Second Round - 3 Home Ice Advantage Picks Maximum
    • Third Round - 2 Home Ice Advantage Picks Maximum
    • Final Round- The team with the most points picks first.

  • Example A: Round One. 5th Seed vs. 12th Seed.
    • 5th seed has a 753 point advantage over the 12th seed.
    • 753 divided by 300 = 2.51. The 5th seed would get 3 Home Ice Advantage Picks over the 12th seed.
    • The draft order for this would be: 5th seed, 5th seed, 5th seed, 12th seed, 5th seed, 12th seed, 5th seed, 12th seed, 5th seed, 12th seed, 5th seed, 12th seed, 5th seed, 12th seed, 5th seed, 12th seed, 5th seed, 12th seed, 12th seed, 12th seed.
  • Example B: Round One. 1st Seed vs. 16th Seed.
    • 1st seed has a 2156 point advantage over the 16th seed.
    • 2156 divided by 300 = 7.18. While the first place team deserves an advantage, 7 Home Ice Advantage Picks would be extreme. Hence, there are maximum Home Ice Advantage Picks in each round.
    • The first seed qualifies for 4 Home Ice Advantage Picks. The draft order would be: 1st, 1st, 1st, 1st, 16th, 1st, 16th, 1st, 16th, 1st, 16th, 1st, 16th, 1st, 16th, 1st, 16th, 16th, 16th, 16th.
  • Example C: Round One. 8tht Seed vs. 9th Seed.
    • 8th seed has a 56 point advantage over the 9th seed.
    • The 8th seed receives one Home Ice Advantage Pick (they pick first).
    • The draft order would be: 8th, 9th, 8th, 9th, 8th, 9th, 8th, 9th, 8th, 9th, 8th, 9th, 8th, 9th, 8th, 9th, 8th, 9th, 8th, 9th,

  • Justification for Home Ice Advantage Picks and Round Maximums:
    • This system rewards the successful teams in a similar way that the entry draft compensates teams that do not make the playoffs.
    • In the past people have criticized the UFHL playoff system because it did not reflect the UFHL regular season beyond deciding who got to take part in the post season. This system makes the regular season mean something.
    • This system is intended to maintain a high level of competitiveness in the standings right until the end.
    • This system gives an advantage to the more successful team, but in no way does it make it impossible for an "underdog" to advance.
    • Round maximums are in place to keep the advantage realistic, and also because of the nature of the playoffs. In the first round there are 16 NHL teams to chose players from. However, in the finals there are only 2 teams to pick players from. Hence, while a team with a 4 pick advantage could be upset by a well managed "underdog" in the first round (when there are far more teams and players to chose from), a 4 pick advantage in the finals would be difficult to overcome.
    • One might say that this makes it difficult for late seeds to win the Stanley Cup. In the NHL it is also hard. However, it is not impossible.

The Playoff Seedings and appropriate Home Ice Advantage Picks will be posted immediately following the end of the regular season.