December 5, 2025 by Dana Carlisle – Senior Reporter
The Carlson Cup Hockey League is entering uncharted territory in the fall of 2025 as it rebrands as a new, 14-team league this winter.
A basement-born competition between Michael Carlson and his cousin Randy Carlson in 1989, fueled by a Christmas gift, has grown into a family-gaming legacy spanning decades, generations, and now formats.
The early days paved the way for a league dominated by Nick Carlson and his Iron River Slugs in the early 2000’s before Jacob Carlson and his Adirondack Frostbite thrived as the face of the league in recent years. Through it all, the CCHL survived through evolution.
Now, in 2025, that evolution has reached its boldest chapter yet; the launch of a 14-team simulation-style league that will reshape how table hockey is played, tracked, and celebrated.
Why the change?
The decision to move to this new format didn’t come easily. For years, the league thrived on rivalries between Jacob, Nick, and newcomer Paul Shabi. But that dominance has come at a cost.
As the competition narrowed, interest among other players waned. Scheduling conflicts and shortened seasons plagued the league, as multiple campaigns failed to reach the finish line.
“We needed a way to keep everyone invested, new CEO Nate Colston explained. “That’s what this new system is all about. It balances flexibility with structure.”
At the heart of the new league is a dual-tracking system. Every game played by participants, whether it’s a marquee matchup between two seasoned veterans or a casual game between newcomers, will count for both individual standings and toward the 14-team league schedule.
The league has designed its schedule to keep the action moving in real time. When two players go head-to-head, the score of that game will be linked to the next game on the league’s schedule. The higher-seeded player’s score will be assigned to the higher-seeded team, while the lower-seeded player’s score will do be assigned to the lower-seeded team.
For the individuals participating, little changes in spirit. Player statistics, records, and accolades will still be tracked separately throughout the season, regardless of an individual’s gameplay volume. Whether they play fifty games, or ten, their results will still contribute to their personal legacy while helping shape the broader league picture.
“Striking the balance between individual performance and league success is what makes this effort special,” Director of Creative Development Jack Colston said, the man behind the new format, said. “Players know their stats and legacy still matters, but there is a bigger picture that everyone involved is helping create as well.”
At the end of the season, top individual performers will be participating in a playoff, divided into two skill levels, marking the first time in league history that two individual champions will be crowned.
Meanwhile, those matchups will help produce the league playoffs as the top eight regular-season teams battle for the highly regarded Carlson Cup.
The buzz surrounding the inaugural simulation-style season has been nothing short of electric in the early stages. An electricity that those within the league hope delivers throughout the season.
“This is about making the hunt for the Carlson Cup bigger than any of us,” Nate Colston said. “It’s about building something fun and sustainable.”
“Something that we can all take pride in.”