Cosmic Sports founder Chris Martin has announced a fresh hockey venture called Cosmic Hockey, a league that promises to inject personality and improvisation into the sport.
The inaugural season will not be anchored to a single city but will instead embark on a barnstorming tour that stops in at least six U.S. markets beginning in January. Each of the two teams will carry 15 players, and the roster will be open to anyone who can demonstrate minor‑league experience, regardless of gender.
John Cimperman, the league’s vice president, has said the competition will tweak traditional rules to give players more freedom to express themselves on the ice, while still preserving a competitive framework.
Games are slated to be held in smaller arenas that are familiar to fans of the AHL and ECHL, a strategic choice intended to build the league’s brand without the overhead of large venues.
The schedule includes two dedicated tryout sessions for aspiring skaters, after which participants will be evaluated for the 30 available spots. Cimperman has hinted at a player‑coach model that could further blur the line between on‑ice performance and leadership.
After the initial six‑city stretch, the league plans a brief pause in March to assess the tour’s impact before mapping out a fuller calendar that could extend into the 2027‑28 season.
A bold experiment in rink‑side storytelling
What sets Cosmic Hockey apart is its emphasis on character as much as skill. By encouraging improvisation, the league hopes to attract fans who crave narratives as much as scores, turning each shift into a stage for personal expression.
From barnstorming to a full‑season vision
The March break serves as a diagnostic window, giving the organizers time to refine logistics, secure venues and fine‑tune rule adjustments. If the pilot proves successful, the league aims to transition from a touring format to a permanent schedule that could eventually span multiple continents.