2019-2020 and 2020-2021 Seasons Sanctioned Event Information
As everyone should be aware, earlier this month USA Hockey canceled its National Tournaments and National Player Development Camps, and NYSAHA canceled its State Tournaments and is now canceling its Player Development Camps.
The purpose of this letter is to update everyone regarding tryouts and all sanctioned USA Hockey events in New York State. Based on New York State Governmental directives, until further notice all USA Hockey and NYSAHA sanctioned events are postponed, including but not limited to the NYSAHA Annual Meeting and Section Meetings, tryouts, clinics, and on-ice and off-ice activities for the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 seasons. USA Hockey has authorized its Affiliates, including NYSAHA, to alter tryout dates based on local governmental directives and other requirements. NYSAHA will notify the membership of when tryouts and other sanctioned events may be scheduled.
It should also be noted that pursuant to USA Hockey Rules, if any tryouts or other sanctioned events take place in violation of the above, the Association will be sanctioned, and violations will result in a hearing to be held before the NYSAHA Board of Directors.
Sanctions regarding USA Hockey tryout rules are as follows:
• For Tier I, the USA Hockey Youth Council has agreed that the violation of the recruiting and tryout rules by a Tier I team shall result in that team being ineligible to be recognized as a Tier I team and ineligible for National Championships for the season for which it was holding tryouts.
• For Tier II, the USA Hockey Youth Council has agreed that the Affiliate has the authority to subject the coach, team, program and/or responsible administrators to appropriate discipline, or ineligibility of the team or coach for violation of the recruiting and tryout rules by a Tier II team. The Youth Council has strongly recommended that the appropriate discipline for a Tier II team’s violation of the recruiting and tryout rules is to prohibit said team from being recognized as a Tier II team and making said team ineligible for the National Championships for the season for which it was holding tryouts.
• For both Tier I and Tier II, if a team is determined to be ineligible for National Championships, the Youth Council further recommends that players that were not subject to improper recruiting or tryouts should be released and (subject to roster deadlines) free to join an eligible team.
• For Tier III, teams are required to follow Tier I and Tier II Rules, as provided at NYSAHA Rule 10.A.9 (page 55 of the NYSAHA 2019-2020 Annual Guide).
NYSAHA Board of Directors will continue to make changes as necessary to facilitate the conduct of business.
Thank you for your attention to these considerations.
