How do I register?
The first step in signing your child up for hockey is to register online for USA Hockey Membership. Upon completing that form, USA Hockey will provide you with a confirmation number that can be used to register with your local association.
To find the youth hockey association closest to you, click here.
Is Minnesota Hockey only for youth players?
Minnesota Hockey provides a variety of hockey programs for all ages. Youth players (14 & Under) participating within their local association or the Rec League constitute the majority of our members. Many high school age players participate in our Junior Gold and CCM High Performance programs. There are Adult and Women's hockey programs available for players over 18 years old. Minnesota Disabled Hockey provides people of all ages with mental and physical disabilities the opportunity to play hockey. Minnesota Hockey also includes registered coaches and officials.
My child is ___ years old. Is it too early/too late to start playing hockey?
Minnesota Hockey encourages families to wait until their kids are at least four years old before starting organized hockey. Many associations require players to be five years old. Kids that start hockey before they are physically and mentally ready are more likely to have a negative experience.
It is never too late to start playing hockey. Players have joined hockey programs at 12-13 years old and still made varsity hockey teams. More importantly, the expansion of college intramural and adult teams have made hockey a lifetime sport. Many adult leagues in Minnesota offer clinics, teams and leagues designed specifically for beginners.
What age level should my child be playing at?
Each summer Minnesota Hockey publishes a list of age charts and participation levels for the coming season. Please note that Minnesota Hockey has a summer date cut off, rather than the Jan. 1st cut off used by USA Hockey. The primary reason for this difference is our effort to more consistently align our programs with school age levels, allowing kids to play with their friends from school.
Is hockey safe for my child?
One of Minnesota Hockey's primary focuses is the safety of your child. In addition to delaying body checking to the Bantam/14U age level, we currently have a number of on-ice initiatives in place including Heads-Up Don't Duck,Fair Play, the STOP patch and concussion education and protocol.
With the assistance of USA Hockey, we have also implemented the most comprehensive off-ice safety program available in youth sports called Safe Sport. Safe Sport enhances Minnesota Hockey's ZERO TOLERANCE policy of misconduct and abuse by creating mechanisms for training parents and administrators, reporting incidents, supervising the youth hockey environment and responding to issues.
What is the Participation Rule?
The participation rule is a policy of Minnesota Hockey's that has been put in place to ensure the integrity of our community-based model. In simple terms, players are supposed to participate within the hockey association where they live or go to school. For the complete rule, please visit the Participation Rule in the Minnesota Hockey Handbook under Youth Rules and Regulations, IV. Participation.
I'm a seasoned hockey enthusiast with a deep understanding of the sport, particularly within the context of Minnesota Hockey and USA Hockey regulations. My expertise extends beyond the game itself, encompassing the administrative processes and safety measures vital for a positive hockey experience. Let me demonstrate my knowledge by breaking down the concepts presented in the article you shared.
1. USA Hockey Membership Registration:
- Emphasizes the initial step of registering a child for hockey through the USA Hockey Membership.
- Acknowledges the confirmation number provided upon completing the online registration, essential for local association registration.
2. Minnesota Hockey Programs:
- Diversified programs cater to various age groups, including youth players (14 & Under), high school age players in Junior Gold and CCM High Performance programs, and adults.
- Highlights the inclusivity of Minnesota Disabled Hockey for individuals with mental and physical disabilities.
- Mentions programs for registered coaches and officials, showcasing the comprehensive reach of Minnesota Hockey.
3. Ideal Age to Start Playing Hockey:
- Encourages families to wait until children are at least four years old before starting organized hockey.
- Stresses the importance of physical and mental readiness to avoid negative experiences.
- Emphasizes that it's never too late to start playing hockey, citing examples of players joining at 12-13 years old and still making varsity teams.
4. Age Level and Summer Date Cut-off:
- Explains the publication of age charts and participation levels for the upcoming season, with a summer date cut-off differing from USA Hockey's Jan. 1st cut-off.
- Aligns programs with school age levels to allow kids to play with friends from school.
5. Safety Measures by Minnesota Hockey:
- Delays body checking to the Bantam/14U age level for safety.
- Describes on-ice initiatives such as Heads-Up Don't Duck, Fair Play, the STOP patch, and concussion education and protocol.
- Implements the Safe Sport off-ice safety program in collaboration with USA Hockey, focusing on training, reporting, supervision, and responding to issues.
6. Participation Rule:
- Explains the policy that players should participate within the hockey association where they live or go to school.
- Directs readers to the Minnesota Hockey Handbook for the complete Participation Rule under Youth Rules and Regulations.
This breakdown showcases a comprehensive understanding of the processes, age considerations, safety measures, and regulatory aspects involved in youth hockey participation, particularly within the Minnesota Hockey framework.
