Although the meeting took place in Traverse City Michigan, everything decided by the Michigan Amateur Hockey Association was controlled by those hailing from down state big city programs.
It is, and always has been the major metropolitan area’s of Michigan that control any and all growth of every level of hockey within the state with the exception of house hockey programs. The larger the population base, the larger the vote. Its that way in all politics, and hockey is no different. Todays actions by MAHA were another clear example of the political machine at work.
With two rule proposals on the table, the only difference being the addition of 10U AAA hockey, both were designed to put a limit on the number of Tier 1 organizations across the state. Both passed.
This 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. That’s right, a maximum of 10 Tier 1 programs in one of the greatest hockey producing player states in the whole country.
These are the changes:
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
Other than limiting the actual number of Tier 1 Organizations, and forcing them all to have full Tier 1 teams throughout their entire organization, the big change is in the number of import players.
No team may have more than SIX players from outside of Michigan, and the entire organization may only have a maximum of TEN.
While these rule changes may open up more opportunity for some players to reach the Tier 1 level, it will almost certainly water down the talent that some teams currently have on their rosters.
Stay tuned as TJHN will seek comment from Tier 1 organizations throughout the state.
Joe Hughes
