Minor hockey is an umbrella term for amateur ice hockey which is played below the junior age level. Players are classified by age, with each age group playing in its own league. The rules, especially as it relates to body contact, vary from class to class. In North America, the rules are governed by the national bodies, Hockey Canada and USA Hockey, while local hockey associations administer players and leagues for their region. Many provinces and states organize regional and provincial championship tournaments, and the highest age groups in Canada also participate in national championships.

Minor hockey is not to be confused with minor league professional hockey.

In the United States, USA Hockey designates the following levels:

AAA is the highest level of youth hockey you can play.

Some leagues also have a younger level referred to as "Mosquitoes."

The Amateur Athletic Union has retuned to sanctioning the sport of Ice Hockey. During recent years, the AAU has sanctioned several High School Varsity, Junior Varsity and Middle School leagues within the state of New York. During the 2011-2012 season the AAU began sanctioning Junior and youth leagues as well. Both Junior and Youth operations have been expanding rapidly and currently span coast to coast.

The Stands were an English band from Liverpool.

The Stands were formed by Howie Payne in 2002. There was no fixed line up in the band originally and local musicians Martyn Campbell (Richard Ashcroft, Rain) Sean Payne (Zutons) Russel Pritchard (Zutons) and Robby Stevenson (Hokum Clones) all contributed to early shows. Payne recruited local acoustic performer Steve Pilgrim to play drums and Luke Thomson on Guitar. The trio along with Martin Cambell on Bass recorded a selection of demos at Parr St Studios in Liverpool. Payne reportedly financed the demos by roadying for The Zutons on the first UK tour.

In September 2002 the ITV program This Is Music was in Liverpool to film bands who played The Bandwagon night at The Zanzibar Club in the city. Originally The Stands were not on the bill until the rest of the bands appearing petitioned the producers of the show to add The Stands to the Program. The Stands were added to the program and performed All Years Leaving. Russ Pritchard (Zutons) played Bass. It was at this show that Dean Ravera approached the band and asked to play bass in the band. Ravera joined the band a week later and the band were invited to support The Coral on the autumn UK tour.