Below are the division descriptions for this season.

**Not all divisions will be available in all tournaments**  Please see the registration pages for individual tournaments or contact the USA Hockey Adult Department to see which divisions are available. All players must be 21 by the start date of the tournament to participate in any USA Hockey Adult Classic (additional age requirements as noted).

**All divisions are co-ed except those specifically listed as women’s divisions.**

Open - These divisions are made up of players of all skill levels. Some players will have limited experience and some players will be advanced. Bring your best team and have fun!

Gold – This division is made up of advanced to elite level players. These players may have professional (any level, including Europe), NCAA Division I or III College, Major Jr., and Tier I Junior playing experience. Teams in this division are comparable to traditional “A” level adult league teams.
 
Silver – This division consists of advanced level players who may have Tier II or III Junior, ACHA, Midget Major AAA, and Prep/Varsity High School playing experience. Teams are comparable to traditional “B” level adult league teams.  **Players with professional, major/tier I junior, or NCAA DI hockey experience will not be permitted to play Silver or below.**
  
Bronze – This division consists of intermediate level players who may have experience playing up to the high school level and lower midget levels. Some players may have limited organized youth playing experience, but have several years of experience as a recreational adult player. These teams are comparable to traditional “C” level adult league teams.  **Players with experience beyond the high school/midget tier 2 level will not be permitted to play in the Bronze division.**

Rusty – Teams are mostly comprised of beginner adult players and older 50+ players that may have lost a step but still love to compete. These teams are comparable to traditional “D” level adult league teams.

Women’s-Gold – In this division teams are comprised of elite level players. These players may have played professional women’s hockey, NCAA Division I or III college, or other high levels of women’s hockey.

Women’s-Silver – Most teams in this division are made up of a mix of elite and advanced level players that may have played NCAA, prep or varsity high school, non-varsity college (ACHA), or have 10+ years of women’s adult hockey playing experience. **Professional experience will not be permitted to play Silver or below.**
 
Women’s-Bronze – This division primarily consists of intermediate level players. These players may have some youth hockey experience, but most have less than 10 years of playing experience as an adult.  **Some players may have 10+ years of adult hockey experience, but NCAA, non-varsity college, or prep school experience will not be permitted to play Bronze or below.**
 
Women’s-Beginner – Teams are mostly comprised of beginner adult players. Although a small number of players may have 5+ years of beginner adult experience, the majority of players have 1-5 years of entry level playing experience as an adult. These teams are comparable to traditional “D” level adult league teams.

**If it is determined by the tournament director(s) at any point during the preliminary round games that a team (in the Silver division and below) as a whole are far above their competition, that team will be permitted to play the three game guarantee, but will receive a 1-0 loss for those games and will not be permitted to advance to the championship round**