That's typically where things get interesting.

That's typically where things get interesting. Before each season, Fattey hosts a combine featuring as many as 90 high school players competing for a roster spot; 48 make the cut. "It's always packed. It's like a tryout for a real hockey team," said Scott Diebold, a goaltender at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute who won league MVP this summer. "It's insane. It's by far the best league in Buffalo. You've got Patrick Kane out there; you've got high schoolers trying to compete against him. It's a really fun league."

That element is ultimately what has kept players coming back, including Kane. The level of competition is impressive, but this wouldn't be a proper summer league if it didn't have a few player-friendly wrinkles.

There are no penalties in the non-checking league; players are awarded a penalty shot after drawing a penalty. Any pucks that hit the roof or netting remain in play, and games are running time with a horn that blows every 75 seconds to remind players to change. Failure to do so results in a penalty shot. "We do that because who's going to tell Pat Kane to get off the ice?" Fattey said. "It also keeps the pace up."