Creating a league on WebSim Hockey allows you to preconfigure rules and respond to membership requests from other managers. However, it is important to note that your role as the creator does not give you any extra authority once the league begins. Democracy and decision-making based on the majority of GMs remain fundamental principles of WebSim Hockey.
When you create a league, you can also choose to become commissioner, a role that provides limited powers to manage your league. You must pay attention to the needs and wishes of the other GMs and work closely with them to ensure a balanced and enjoyable experience for everyone. Remember that WebSim Hockey encourages collaboration and communication among GMs for the success of every league.
League Creation Status (Public or Private) #
When creating your league, you must choose whether it will be public or private in terms of recruiting GMs for the franchises.
Public Leagues
Public leagues are open to everyone and do not require a password for GMs who wish to join. You can invite friends and community members to join until the maximum number of teams (between 6 and 32) is reached. It is important to pay your registration fee to secure your spot.
Please note that once a public league is created, its settings cannot be modified (rules, development type, draft speed, etc.).
Private Leagues
Private leagues are password-protected. To join a private league, request the password from the league creator by clicking the “Request Password” icon. You do not need to pay your fee immediately to reserve your spot.
However, the creator of the league reserves the right to replace you at any time before the league begins. Note that once created, a private league may still be modified by its creator.
Choice of Player Evolution #
Players are assigned attributes that reflect their quality on the ice. These attributes are based on real-life stats over the past two seasons and are used at the launch of a new league. Player attributes are not static; they evolve over time to add realism to your league. Two types of player development are available:
Real Evolution
In this mode, the attributes of players and coaches are reevaluated once a year, at the end of the season, based solely on their real-life performances.
Virtual Evolution
In this mode, player attributes are reevaluated twice a year, at mid-season and at the end of the season. Development is based on known factors such as age, player development investments, and a degree of randomness.
Choice of Player Pool #
WebSim Hockey allows you to customize your experience by choosing from different player pools. Whether you want to play with today’s NHL stars or relive the glory of past legends, there are options for every taste.
Current Real-Life Players
Play with real NHL players! This pool includes all current NHL players, with attributes generated by advanced formulas based solely on their actual statistics, without manual intervention. This ensures attributes are consistent for all players. The real player pool is updated annually, about two weeks after the end of the NHL regular season.
Retro Players
Relive hockey history with retro player pools spanning from 1972 to today. Experience legends like Mario Lemieux, Wayne Gretzky, Raymond Bourque, and Joe Sakic at their peak, and rewrite history by choosing either real or virtual development.
Eligibility Criteria and Number of Players/Goalies
You can define criteria for player eligibility in the league, such as minimum rating, minimum potential, maximum age, and minimum NHL games played in the last season.
Depending on the criteria selected, the number of eligible players will vary and directly impact the maximum number of possible teams. For example, in a 6-team league, the criteria should limit the number of players, while in a 32-team league, all players should be included.
Percentage of Attributes Based on the Last Season
This option is available only in real development with current players. By default, attributes are based 50% on the last season and 50% on the season before that. You can configure up to 100% from the last season for maximum accuracy.
Selecting Coaches and Cities #
By default, the player pool is automatically linked to a corresponding selection of coaches. However, you can further customize your league by choosing a separate set of coaches and cities, independent of your player pool.
League Structure #
Choose the number of conferences and divisions, as well as how many teams will qualify for the playoffs. You also have two options to determine which teams make the playoffs:
Division + Wild Card
The top teams in each division qualify. If more spots are needed to complete the bracket, they are filled in order of the conference standings, or the league standings if there are no conferences.
Conference/League
If there are two conferences, the playoff spots are divided evenly between them using the conference standings. If there are no conferences, league standings are used.
Note: Division winners are always ranked at the top of the conference or league standings, but not necessarily in the overall standings.
Financial Rules
When creating a league, it is important to consider the financial rules that will govern team management. These rules directly affect the stability and balance of your league, as well as the engagement and experience of participating GMs.
Two main approaches are available for financial rules: forced with accountability, or free without accountability. Each has advantages and disadvantages, so choose the one best suited to your league and its members.
Forced with Accountability
Certain rules (R1, R3.2, R6, R9, R12, R18) are enforced or restricted to make the league as stable and balanced as possible.
Free without Accountability
Rules may be freely modified by the commissioner. However, the league will not be eligible for global GM attributes or the inter-league ranking system. GM attributes will still be calculated within the league but will not affect global GM attributes.
Trade Committee Members
Depending on the number of teams in the league, you can select between 0 and 6 members for the Trade Committee. The committee is responsible for approving all trades between GMs, and a majority (+1) is required for validation. The commissioner is always part of the Trade Committee.
Equalizing Coaches’ and Cities’ Attributes
Coaches and cities have attributes that influence teams positively or negatively. For coaches, the quality of practices and strategies partly depends on attributes, while for cities the impact is mainly financial, meaning better owner budgets. By default, this system is balanced so its influence is not excessive. Once the league begins, city attributes may evolve slightly if this option is enabled.
It is also possible to equalize the attributes of coaches and/or cities to create greater parity among teams.
League Commissioner #
At league creation, you can decide who will serve as commissioner: either the creator (you) or someone chosen through a vote among GMs applying for the role.
Configurable Rules #
There are more than twenty configurable rules that you can set yourself before the first season starts to get exactly the type of league you want. Otherwise, rules are voted on by GMs, and the results are automatically applied once the league has completed the election and city draft stage.
If you preconfigure the rules yourself, the option becomes available as soon as you save your league at creation. An additional “Rules” tab will appear, where you can set the parameters of each rule.
Editor Mode #
Editor Mode allows the commissioner to modify all rules at any time, as well as all attributes for players, coaches, teams, and cities.
WebSim Hockey may force Editor Mode activation if custom rules involve this type of change or make the league non-comparable to others.
Important: If enabled, the league will not be eligible for global GM attributes or the inter-league ranking system. GM attributes will still be calculated within the league but will not influence global GM attributes.
Additional Questions? #
If you have further questions about creating a new league, please open a support ticket.
