Tier II standards. It is a very touchy, and controversial subject with the NAHL and USA Hockey. There are many reasons for this. Those reasons for controversy are self inflicted in every case.
Tier II standards, and allegedly not being able to meet those standards are the primary reason USA Hockey denied the NCDC’s bid to become a Tier II league under USA Hockey. Two specific reasons were used. First, the size of arena’s and seating capacity in many NCDC arena’s, and second was a piece of the financial plan that had players paying for their own insurance costs. A third reason, calling for coach bus transportation was also used, but not relied on in the final decision.
Tier II standards at the time required a minimum seating area of 2000 fans for Tier II sanction under USA Hockey, and required that players not have to pay for anything other than their housing or billeting expenses.
These Tier II standards, along with USHL Tier I and all Tier III standards have traditionally been published in the USA Hockey Annual Guide for everyone to read and examine.
Those “standards” for the USHL “Tier I” and the NAHL “Tier II” have now disappeared from the USA Hockey Annual Guide and have been replaced with the following paragraph;
“Junior Classifications Expansion
(1) Tier I League
USA Hockey shall designate and certify the United States Hockey
League (“USHL”) as the Tier I Junior Hockey League in USA Hockey. The
operating standards for the USHL and teams within the USHL shall be as
set forth in a league licensing agreement approved by the USA Hockey
Executive Committee and entered into between USA Hockey and the
USHL.
(2) Tier II League Certification
USA Hockey shall have and certify one or more leagues within USA
Hockey as a certified Tier II Junior Hockey League. The operating
standards for each Tier II League and teams within the League shall
be as set forth in a league licensing agreement approved by the USA
Hockey Executive Committee and entered into between USA Hockey
and the applicable league.”
Strangely though every Tier III requirement is still listed in the USA Hockey Annual guide for everyone to see. Five pages worth of standards.
Now that you understand that these USA Hockey “standards” are clearly being hidden from the public, you will understand why the NAHL did not respond when a document from a member team has been provided to TJHN that clearly shows an NAHL team violating financial provisions of the once published “standards” as well as potentially violating NCAA rules against improper financial benefits.
The Maine Nordiques, in a letter dated July 28, 2022 stated the following:
“Players selected for Training Camp will consist of: Returning Veteran Players, 2022 Maine Nordiques Tenders, Draft
Picks, and Free Agent Invites.”
“Players will be responsible for transportation to Lewiston upon arrival in Maine and food throughout the camp.
Starting on Thursday night, the 18th of August, player lodging for camp will be provided for protected players. Make
sure to bring a towel, linens, and pillows. The cost of Training Camp is $450 and will be due upon arrival.”
Firstly, Tier II standards have always required that all players be treated equally when it comes to financial matters. So providing housing for “protected” players and not providing housing for unprotected players would be a violation of Tier II standards. Specifically in that the “protected” player received an improper financial benefit by virtue of his being protected, which is a result of his athletic ability. This is an NCAA violation at a minimum.
Charging Returning Veteran Players, 2022 Maine Nordiques Tenders, Draft Picks, and Free Agent Invites a $450 fee for main training camp would be a violation of Tier II standards as well.
Considering Tier II standards and NAHL rules have always required that Tier II tryout camps end no later than the last day in the first weekend of August.
Clearly this main training camp, taking place August 19 to 26 is beyond that tryout camp period. And clearly charging returning players a fee for a camp would be a violation of Tier II financial standards.
If it was a tryout camp and a fee was being charged, then the tryout camp came too late and would be a violation of Tier II standards based on the dates taking place two weeks after tryout camps have closed. And if it was a tryout camp, and some players received housing for free while others had to pay it would be an improper financial benefit.
Again, all of this is in writing.
I reached out to the NAHL to ask about this situation, and after nearly a week, there has been no response.
There is a simple rule of thumb in cases like this. If there is a misunderstanding you address it. If it was a mistake, you correct it.
When you do not respond, or say anything there is also another simple rule. If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, its usually a duck.
If all of this is simply a mistake by the Nordiques, then correct the mistake. But keep in mind it also shows that who ever is leading this club, who put this letter together, or designed this camp, clearly has no clue about the junior standards.
That is of course unless USA Hockey changed those standards without telling anyone and without publishing them in the Annual Guide. But who needs transparency from the “sanctioning body” who used these “rules” to deny Tier II certification to many groups over the years? Quack Quack
