Da Beauty League 2026 Season Opens as NHL Stars Chase the John Scott Cup

The dog days of summer usually mean quiet ice rinks and a long wait for training camps, but in Edina, Minnesota, July signals the return of the most entertaining offseason showcase in the sport.

The 2026 season of Da Beauty League is officially underway at Braemar Arena, bringing a roster of NHL, PWHL, and top-tier collegiate talent back to the State of Hockey. The opening week of action has already set a blistering pace for the summer standings, with teams eager to capture the coveted John Scott Cup in late August.

Early returns in the six-team league show Team TRIA and Team Anderson Group jumping to the top of the table following high-scoring victories. Team TRIA, bolstered by the offensive firepower of NHL veterans like Brock Nelson and Hudson Fasching, cruised to a dominant opening-night win. Meanwhile, Team Anderson Group mounted a late-game surge led by Ben Meyers to secure their first points of the seven-week season. Because the league plays a condensed schedule, every Wednesday night matchup heavily swings the playoff picture.[1]

What makes the standings so volatile—and the games so wildly entertaining—is Da Beauty League’s unique rulebook. Designed to maximize creativity and offensive flow, games are played entirely at 4-on-4 with two 23-minute halves. The open ice allows professional players to showcase the stickhandling and speed that often get stifled by the rigorous defensive systems of the NHL regular season. It is a glorified pick-up game played at a world-class pace.

The league also employs a fan-favorite "double-puck" rule, where teams are given a designated opportunity to score a goal that counts for two points on the scoreboard. This mechanic can instantly erase a multi-goal deficit and flip the standings in the final minutes of a game. If a game remains tied after regulation, it moves to a continuous 1-on-1 shootout where players cycle from the blue line until one team successfully scores three times. The format ensures a definitive winner every night, keeping the standings clean of ties.

Beyond the NHL stars, the 2026 season continues to highlight the growth of the women's game. PWHL standouts like Maggie Flaherty and goaltender Sedona Blair are featured prominently in the league's schedule, drawing massive cheers from the crowd. The inclusion of elite women's players alongside NHL veterans and rising college prospects makes the league a true cross-section of the modern hockey landscape.

For the players, the league serves a dual purpose. It provides a structured, highly competitive environment to stay in game shape during the offseason without the physical toll of checking and grinding in the corners. Many players who train in the Twin Cities area view the Wednesday night games as the perfect way to test their edges and try new moves before reporting to their respective NHL training camps in September.[1]

But the true heart of Da Beauty League lies in its community impact. Braemar Arena is routinely packed with young fans lining the glass, eager for autographs and fist bumps from their hometown heroes. The intimate setting of a high school arena removes the barriers typically found in massive NHL venues, allowing kids to interact directly with the players they idolize.[2]

Every ticket sold and piece of merchandise purchased directly benefits local non-profits. Over its history, the league has donated more than $500,000 to organizations like the United Heroes League, the Hendrickson Foundation, the Herb Brooks Foundation, and Shine a Ligh7. As the teams battle for position in the standings over the next six weeks, the ultimate victory remains the league's ability to unite the hockey community and give back to the region that built it.[2]