Age Level Changes

It is the Policy of SPYHA that each registered skater will play in his/her age level as set forth by USA Hockey rules. Returning skaters/goalies must initially register at the proper age level. However, there will be from time to time, requests for a player to play up an age level. These requests to play up will be an exception to the norm and will be evaluated by the SPYHA Hockey Director and Board of Directors on a case-by-case basis. The Association's needs (i.e. teams) shall take precedence over individual desires. For example, there may be a need to fill a roster of a higher age level team in order to field a team at that level and there may be a few players who would be prepared to play up for a season to assist the Association's/Team's needs. Additionally, there may be rare exceptions where playing up is in the best interest of a player's hockey development, although this must not come at the expense of severely weakening/not being able to field a team at the lower age level. The requirements of playing up are as follows:

If the number of players at a certain age level warrant, the Association may request skaters to play at a level higher than their current age level in order to accommodate reasonable team sizes. The request of players to play up will be made after registration when the number of players at any given age level is known. The player's placement will be based upon the criteria set in the player requested policy. Final decision(s) as to which players play up will be made based upon the player evaluation process. Association requests are on a voluntary basis and require consent of the Hockey Director, the player, and the parent(s) or guardian(s). If the player changes age levels and plays up at the request of the Association, they ARE NOT responsible for the difference in registration fees.

A parent or guardian of an Association player may request, in writing, an age level play up (10U to 12U, etc.). The Hockey Director will review the request and forward a recommendation to the Board of Directors, which will act on the request and recommendation. All requests will be reviewed and evaluated on merit with consideration of the following criteria:

1. Will the team the player is leaving have enough players remaining?
2. Does the Coach of the team the player requested to join need or want additional players?
3. The player may only be one year away from moving to the level requested. For example a first year Squirt would not be allowed to play up to PeeWee.
4. Does the player's ability fit the level requested?
5. What is the opinion of the player's previous year coach?
6. Requests will be handled in the order they are received.
7. As a general rule, all written requests need to be submitted to the Hockey Director within two weeks after evaluations and initial team formation.

If a player's request to play up is granted, the parent or guardian making the request WILL BE responsible for the difference in registration fees.

Again, it is the policy of the SPYHA that each registered player will play in his/her age level as set forth by USA Hockey rules. However, there are instances in which SPYHA will allow a skater to play down an age level. Requests to play down are rare, are an exception to the norm, and will be evaluated by the SPYHA Hockey Director and Board on a case-by-case basis. Instances in which playing down will be considered include:

A skater may request to play down due to medical reasons. In these cases, a player must successfully petition WAHA to play down. Once the Association receives confirmation of WAHA's approval, the skater will be permitted to play down at the level petitioned for. Registration fees will be in accordance with the age level at which the skater is placed.

All returning skaters must register at the appropriate age level. First year/new to hockey skaters may request to play down at the time of player registration. In such instances, they will be placed at the U6 level for evaluation. After evaluation, a determination will be made to either keep the skater at U6 or move them to either U8 or the appropriate age level. In cases where 9-year-old or older skaters are placed at the U6 or U8 level, for safety reasons, they will not be allowed to participate in game play at the U6 or U8 level. Every attempt will be made to accelerate development of the skater to get them to the age-appropriate level that hockey season and the skater will likely be rostered on an age-appropriate team. The Hockey Director will determine when the skater moves to the age-appropriate team.