Local associations register teams with USA Hockey using the Official Team Roster form, 1-T. Local associations sponsoring teams to compete in District Playoffs and National Championships should review the information on the Credentials web page.
USA Hockey has four categories and thirty-seven classifications that identify each team's competitive level and participation grouping. Local associations determine the level and grouping for all teams being sponsored by electing each team's category and classification. Detailed descriptions are provided below.
Categories
Tier I The highest competitive level of ice hockey in the United States. Teams registering at this level should timely notify their affiliate so that playoffs can be scheduled. Tier I teams are eligible to participate in District Playoffs and National Championships at the Youth 12-Under, Youth 14-Under, Youth 16-Under, Youth 18-Under, Girls 12-Under, Girls 14-Under, Girls 16-Under, Girls 19-Under age classifications. Tier I rosters have date and membership restrictions. Tier I teams are required to provide the USA Hockey Official Team Roster, 1-T Forms, as part of their Southeastern District registration. Player changes, additions or deletions, are prohibited after December 31 of the current playing season.
Tier II A highly competitive level of ice hockey in the United States. Tier II teams are eligible to participate in District Playoffs and National Championships at the Youth 12-Under, Youth 14-Under, Youth 16-Under, Youth 18-Under, Girls 12-Under, Girls 14-Under, Girls 16-Under, Girls 19-Under age classifications. Tier II rosters have date and membership restrictions. Tier II teams are required to provide the USA Hockey Official Team Roster, 1-T Forms, as part of their Southeastern District registration. Player changes, additions or deletions, are prohibited after December 31 of the current playing season.
Please note that USA Hockey currently hosts one championship for Women's teams regardless of which tier level the team declares.
Rec A competitive level of ice hockey in the United States, Recreation is for teams that travel to play other competitive teams, or teams that play other competitive teams registered by the same local association. Team in this category are not eligible to participate in district and national playoffs; often, these teams are created to participate in invitational tournaments throughout the season. These rosters are not bound by the date and membership restrictions that apply to Tier I and II teams. Recreation teams may be created at any time during the season and players may be added to rosters within USA Hockey's roster size rules. Recreation teams are required to provide USA Hockey Official Team Roster, 1-T Forms, as part of their Southeastern District registration.
House Teams formed by a local association for skill development and intramural competition. House teams teach basic skills such as skating, shooting, stickhandling, and passing, the rules of hockey, team work, discipline, respect and sportmanship in a fun, organized setting of practices and games.
Classifications
YOUTH There are six youth classifications. Players born in 1991 or after are eligible to play Midget 18 & Under; players born in 1993 or after are eligible to play Midget 16 & Under; players born in 1995 or after are eligible to play Bantam 14 & Under; players born in 1997 or after are eligible to play Pee Wee 12 & Under; players born in 1999 or after are eligible to play Squirt 10 & Under; and players born in 2001 or after are eligible to play Mite 8 & Under.
GIRLS' There are six girl’s classifications. Female players born in 1990 or after are eligible to play Girls 19-Under; players born in 1993 or after are eligible to play Girls 16-Under; female players born in 1995 or after are eligible to play Girls 14-Under; female players born in 1997 or after are eligible to play Girls 12-Under; female players born in 1999 or after are eligible to play Girls 10-Under; and female players born in 2001 or after are eligible to play Girls 8-Under.
WOMEN'S This will be divided into A, B, C and 30 & Over classifications. All players must be 18 years of age or older. Under special circumstances, players may submit a written request prior to December 31 of the current playing year for a one-year waiver to their Girls’/Women’s Section Representative for waiver committee review to play in this classification in accordance with registration guidelines.
Women’s Senior A: This category is for elite teams and players. Restricted to legal U.S. residents.
Women’s Senior B: This category is for established teams and skilled players. Restricted to legal U.S. residents.
Women’s Senior C: This category is for established teams. In the case of national tournament-bound teams, players may not be current or past Olympic or National Team players. Current or former college Division I, II or III players may not play in this classification. Restricted tolegal U.S. residents. Under special circumstances players may submit a written request prior to December 31 of the current playing year for a one-year waiver to their Girls’/Women’s Section Representative for waiver committee review to play in this classification in accordance with registration guidelines.
30 & Over: This category is for established teams. In the case of national tournament-bound teams, players may not be current or past Olympic or National Team players. Current or former college Division I, II or III players may play in this classification. Restricted to legal U.S. residents. Players shall be 30 years of age and older.
40 & Over (effective 2010-11 season): This category is for established teams. In the case of national tournamentbound teams, players may not be current or past Olympic or National Team players. Current or former college Division I, II or III players may play in this classification. Restricted to legal U.S. residents. Players shall be 40 years of age and older.
Note: Girls/Women who participate must comply with the age requirement of the classification in which they compete.
ADULT There are six adult classifications based on competitive experience, citizenship and age. Players must be at least 18 years of age prior to their participation on adult teams.
Adult Elite Restricted to U.S. residents. Unrestricted as to citizenship but limited to no more than three (3) non-U.S. citizens. Limited to amateurs and/or reinstated professionals who have played less than five (5) professional games during that current season. There shall be no more than four (4) players under the age of twenty years old without the approval of the Vice President of the Adult Council. Players shall be 18 years of age or older.
Adult U.S. Restricted to U.S. citizens, either U.S.-born or naturalized with final papers. Limited as to: Exclude any reinstated professionals and any player who plays that current season on an NCAA (Div. I, II, or III) or junior college, or college club team. Players shall be 18 years of age or older.
Adult Non-Checking Restricted to U.S. residents. Unrestricted as to citizenship, and unlimited so as to include amateurs and/or reinstated professionals. National championship rosters are limited as to: Exclude any player who plays that current season as a professional player or on an NCAA (Div. I, II, or III) or junior college, or college club team. Players shall be 18 years of age or older.
Adult Non-Checking (30 and Over) Restricted to U.S. residents. Unrestricted as to citizenship, and unlimited so as to include amateurs and/or reinstated professionals. Limited as to: Exclude any player who plays that current season as a professional player, or on an NCAA (Div. I, II, or III) or junior college, or college club team. Players shall be 30 years of age or older. Exception: goalkeepers (2) may be 25 years of age or older before December 31 of the playing season.
Adult Non-Checking (35 and Over) Restricted to U.S. residents. Unrestricted as to citizenship, and unlimited so as to include amateurs and/or reinstated professionals. Limited as to: Exclude any player who plays that current season as a professional player, or on an NCAA (Div. I, II, or III) or junior college, or college club team. Players shall be 35 years of age and older.
Adult Non-Checking (40 and Over) Restricted to U.S. residents. Unrestricted as to citizenship, and unlimited so as to include amateurs and/or reinstated professionals. Limited as to: Exclude any player who plays that current season as a professional player, or on an NCAA (Div. I, II, or III) or junior college, or college club team. Players shall be 40 years of age and older.
DISABLED Classifications:
Adult Sled (Sledge) (21 & Over)
Youth Sled (Sledge) (20 & Under)*
Special (all ages)
Amputee/Standing (all ages)
Deaf/Hard of Hearing (all ages)
*Sled (Sledge) players over the age of 20 may be allowed to play on a youth sled (sledge) team if their disability prevents them from playing in the adult sled (sledge) division.
Junior The Junior age group shall only include participants who are age twenty (20) and under by December 31 of the current playing season. Junior teams/leagues are to be divided into Tier I, Tier II Junior A and Tier III – Junior A, Junior B, Junior C, Junior D and provisional for any of the above classifications.
In this age group only U.S. citizens are eligible to participate in the National Player Development Program. In all the Junior age classifications, each USA Hockey member junior team may include up to two (2) non-U.S. citizens on its current Protected List. Tier I member teams may add one (1) additional veteran, non-citizen player from its Protected List for the previous season. Adding non-citizens to a USA Hockey-member Junior team’s Protected List is subject to adherence to all IIHF/Canada player release and transfer policies.
HIGH SCHOOL National championships will be held in the Varsity and Prep Divisions:
Varsity Division (Male and Female teams) Pure teams (See High School Division II requirements) that are community based public high schools, private schools drawing their students exclusively from a local metropolitan area (excluding any school that boards players) OR a combined team from a State that has NO pure teams. Representation from each state will be determined by the State Affiliate participating in the tournament. Billeted players competing on Tier I, Tier II or Junior teams are not eligible to compete in the High School Varsity National Tournament Participation is restricted to amateurs who are full time students (grades 9-12), and 19 years old or under as of December 31st of the Playing Season. Eligibility is not to exceed eight (8) consecutive semesters starting with a player’s freshman year. (Clarification: Those High School students graduating midyear, are no longer full time students and therefore, are not eligible to play on a Varsity High School hockey team, effective on their last day of attending classes full time).
Prep Division (Male and Female teams) Boarding schools, non-community based high schools and others. All teams, players and coaches must register with USA Hockey prior to application for participation.Hich
High School Divisions:
High School/Prep School Division 1 Formal high school and prep school teams or non-varsity teams Consisting of full-time students attending high school/prep school.
High School/Prep School Division 2 Formal high school and prep school teams or non-varsity teams consisting of full-time students attending the same high school or prep school or full-time students that are eligible to play sanctioned varsity high school sports at that school.
Girls' High School/Prep School Division 1 Formal high school and prep school teams or non-varsity teams consisting of full-time students attending high school/prep school.
Girls' High School/Prep School Division 2 Formal high school and prep school teams or non-varsity teams consisting of full-time students attending the same high school or prep school or full-time students that are eligible to play sanctioned varsity high school sports at that school.