COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - On October 31, 2009,  the President of USA Hockey, Ron DeGregorio, changed the regular playing season and registration period for the 2009 season and all subsequent seasons to Sept. 1 - Aug. 31 (from May 1 to April 30). This change was made to address concerns raised by some of our members about a perception that they did not receive a full seasons worth of membership privileges as a result of USA Hockey's prior decision in January 2009 to change the regular playing season and registration period to May 1 to April 30th.

This change means that USA Hockey will have the same season dates for the 2009-10 season that it has had for every other prior season.

Any new members who registered as early as May 1, 2009 will have their membership extended through August 31, 2010, meaning that their 2009 membership fee will be good for up to 16 months, rather than a year.   This allows those new members to play during the summer season, an important opportunity for some of our affiliates.

The Board of USA Hockey will meet in a special board meeting on November 17, 2009 to ratify this change permanently.