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Established 2002 / Preparing for our 2026-27 season
Defending Champions: Pro - Naples Labeda Kaos / Semi-Pro - Empire State Snipers / Minor - Motor City Dirty Dawgs
PIHA Introduces Updated Player Value Index for 2026-2027 Season
As the Professional Inline Hockey Association continues preparing for the 2026-2027 season, the league has announced an updated version of its Player Value Index, a roster management system designed to promote competitive balance across all three PIHA levels.
The Player Value Index, commonly referred to as PVI, functions similarly to a salary cap. Rather than assigning actual salaries, the system places a value on players based on their recent playing history and competitive level. Each team must then build its roster within the assigned PVI limits for its division.
This system is a revision of the format that has been in place over the past two seasons. The goal remains the same: create a fairer competitive environment, prevent roster stacking, and ensure that all three PIHA leagues maintain their intended level of play.
How the Player Value Index Works
Players are assigned a value based on their highest applicable classification. The 2026-2027 PVI structure includes four primary tiers:
National Player — 15K
A player who has competed at the World level within the last two years.
Elite Pro Player — 12K
A player who has competed in four or more major summer Pro tournament events over the last two years. Qualifying events include NARCh Pro, State Wars Pama Pro, and TORHS Pro.
PIHA Pro Player — 5K
A player who previously played in PIHA and last qualified for the playoffs in the PIHA Pro division.
PIHA Semi-Pro Player — 2.5K
A player who previously played in PIHA and last qualified for the playoffs in the PIHA Semi-Pro division.
Goalies will count as one player on the roster, with their value assigned based on the highest tier that applies to them.
Division Limits
Each PIHA division will operate under its own team PVI limit.
At the Pro level, teams will have a maximum roster value of 100K. Pro teams may roster no more than three National players.
At the Semi-Pro level, teams will have a maximum roster value of 50K. Semi-Pro teams may not roster National or Elite Pro Players players and may carry no more than four Pro players (Non-Franchised).
At the Minor level, teams will have a maximum roster value of 10K. Minor teams may not roster Tier I, Tier II, or Tier III players and may carry no more than four Semi-Pro players (Non-Franchised).
These limits are intended to preserve the identity of each division while still allowing teams to build competitive rosters. The Pro division remains the league’s highest level, Semi-Pro remains a strong intermediate level, and Minor continues to serve as a competitive entry point for developing players and organizations.
Franchise Player Requirements
In addition to the Player Value Index, teams will also be required to designate franchise players before the season.
Each team must confirm six skaters and one goalie with the league as franchise players. These players serve as core roster pieces and are tied to that team’s competitive level for the upcoming season. This is a reduction from previous seasons, where teams needed 8 skaters.
Franchise players may not move down a division the following season. This rule is designed to prevent teams from using higher-level players to impact lower divisions after those players have already been established as core contributors at a higher level.
The PIHA Board of Governors will also retain the ability to apply a franchise tag to any player during the season, in addition to each team’s minimum franchise player requirements.
Promoting Competitive Balance
The updated Player Value Index is part of PIHA’s continued effort to create a more balanced and sustainable league structure. By assigning values to players and setting roster limits by division, the league is working to protect competitive integrity while still giving teams flexibility in how they construct their rosters.
The system is not designed to punish talented players or restrict organizational growth. Instead, it is designed to ensure that players are placed at the appropriate level, teams are built responsibly, and games remain competitive across the Pro, Semi-Pro, and Minor divisions.
As PIHA enters the 2026-2027 season, the revised Player Value Index will serve as one of the league’s key tools in maintaining parity, protecting divisional standards, and continuing the growth of professional inline hockey.