MAHA voting board approves changes to Tier 1 hockey for 2015-16 season
By @MichaelCaples –
TRAVERSE CITY – The Michigan Amateur Hockey Association voted on their proposed rule changes this morning, and there will be changes to Tier 1 (AAA) hockey for the 2015-16 season and beyond.
There were two rule proposals on the floor with the only difference being the addition of 10U AAA hockey, both constructed to put a limit on the number of Tier 1 organizations across the state. Both passed.
That means that there will be 10U Tier 1 for the 2015-16 season, and that there will be a maximum of 10 Tier 1 organizations allowed for the entire state of Michigan, starting in that same time frame.
“I like the fact that we’re trying to create the proper development pyramid,” said MAHA president George Atkinson. “We’re starting at the top, and we’re trying to get that development pyramid back in line, because obviously our development pyramid has been upside down. That’s probably the best thing that I like about it, because it’s trying to get the development pyramid back into alignment.”
Midget Minor 15 and Midget Minor 16 age classifications were added in the revisions, as well.
The changes to Rule No. VI. M. 1. word-for-word, is below:
Revise as follows:
2. Tier I (AAA) Youth – The recognized Tier 1 classifications shall be the Youth 10, 11 & 12, 13 & 14, 15 & 16 and 17 & 18 age classifications.
a. Tier 1 teams are teams that participate within a Tier 1 MAHA/USA Hockey sanctioned league that may involve participation with similar teams from Michigan and from across the country. Teams in organizations not approved by the State Playoff Committee that play more than 30% of their games against Tier 1 opponents shall be ineligible for District & State Playoffs in any classification. Teams in organizations not approved by the State Playoff Committee may not advertise as Tier 1, elite, or similar designation for tryouts, to recruit, entice or in any way give the appearance of being Tier 1 team.
b. All teams and players playing this classification are restricted to a maximum of seventy-five (75) games per season. Game limits do not include the USA Hockey National Tournament.
c. To be eligible for State Playoffs, a team, and the majority of its players, must be registered for the entire Winter Season in the division classification in which they will be entering the State Playoffs.
d. To qualify as a Tier 1 Organization the following criteria must be followed:
i. Not more than (10) Tier 1 organizations will be awarded on an annual basis for a period from September 1st to August 31st. An application must be sent to the State Playoff Committee Chairperson for consideration not later than November 1st of the year prior to the season’s start. The State Playoff Committee will determine the number of Tier 1 organizations for the next season: up to six in Districts 2, 3, 4 combined; up to one in District 5; up to two in District 6; and one in Districts 7 and 8 combined. In addition to the above, the two Tier I 18<u teams existing as of June, 2014 in Districts 7 and 8 are grandfathered. Upon dissolution of these two teams, they shall not be replaced other than via the provisions of this rule. The State Playoff Committee will make their decisions no later than the Annual Winter meeting of the preceding season. Each organization is limited to one team at each age classification.
ii. Each Tier 1 Organization must have teams at the following recognized AAA levels: Pee Wee Minor & Major, Bantam Minor & Major, Midget Minor 15, Midget Minor 16, and Midget Major 17 & 18. Organizations wishing to apply without a full complement of teams may do so, but must provide a 5-year plan that demonstrates a sustainable program working towards having teams at all the recognized levels.
iii. Tier 1 organizations are limited to (10) non-Michigan players per organization with no more than (6) non-Michigan players on any one team.
iv. Tier 1 organizations will have to reapply each year to maintain their Tier 1 status. Returning organizations will have preference, but will not be guaranteed a Tier 1 status each year
e. At the Squirt age classification, teams may only form at the Squirt Major (Age 10) level only. Teams may have a maximum of 4 players playing up from below the age 10 age group.
i. There are no out of state or import players allowed.
f. Only teams from those organizations approved by the State Playoff Committee will be allowed to roster as Tier 1 teams in Michigan.
g. Each MAHA Tier 1 Organization must play the other MAHA Tier 1 Organizations 2 games per season. 1 home, 1 away; excluding tournaments.
Effective Date of Rule: 9/1/2015