Play Up/Down Policy

POLICY REGARDING PLAYER MOVEMENT

MWC has adopted and follows the USA Hockey and WAHA age definitions for determining the proper levels in which each skater should skate. In accordance with that definition, MWC has adopted clear and concise guidelines for player requests to “play-up” above his/her appropriate age level. When considering these requests, the objectives are to provide the best skill development opportunities for the player and the best team strength for the association. MWC will honor ideal team sizes and continue to evaluate player movement primarily based on this. The following procedures shall therefore be followed when there is a desire to place a skater in a higher level.

Playing at a Higher Level

It is the policy of MWC 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 MWC Board of Directors and leadership on a case-by-case basis. It is MWC Policy not to allow playing up at parent/skater request given our alignment with USA Hockey player development model. 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.

Should the board approve a request to play up, the requirements of playing up are as follows:

• Association Requested – 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 below. 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 approval by the Hockey Committee, 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.
• Player Requested – For 10U and up: A player and his/her parents may seek permission for their child to “play-up” by written request to the MWC Board of Directors prior to the beginning of the try-out season but no later than September 1. If approved, a player would then try-out for both his/her “age-appropriate” level and the level he/she wishes to “play-up” on. The player wanting to skate-up would then compete for an A team position at the upper level and must be selected for that team as one of its “Top 3 Ranked Players”. This will formally be known as the “Top 3 Rule”. If the player is not ranked through the try-out process as one of the “Top 3” players for the A team on the upper level, then he/she must remain as a participant at the age-appropriate level. The ranking will be shared with the Tryout Committee via the Tryout Evaluators and subsequently granted or denied by the committee. Players wishing to play up are also subject to WAHA Rules and Policies. Goalies are excluded from this requirement. The player WILL be responsible for the increased fees of the level at which he or she is playing if a player requested move is granted.
• 8U—For 8U requests to play up: The USA Hockey American Development Model (ADM) supports small teams at the 10U Squirt Level. Under certain circumstances, associations may move players from 8U to 10U with the approval by regional directors and 8U section director:
• 1. Association needs skaters to fill a 14 player 10U roster to make a first, second or third team.
• 2. A need for goalie at 10U to be filled by an 8U goalie.
• 3. Other needs identified by association.
• Per WAHA Eligibility and General Rules, 50% of players on an approved roster must be the age of the registered team. (WAHA Rules & Regulations, ARTICLE 1-REGISTRATION,ELIGIBILITY, GENERAL RULES, paragraph K).
• NO 7-year-old (i.e. two birth years under 10U) will be approved to play up to 10U.
• Players moving up under category #1 must be placed on the lowest level team the association offers at the 10U level.
• For associations that wish to allow an exceptionally talented player to skate at the 10U level, the player must be ranked in the top 1/3 of the players on the top-level team. Association must provide proof to region directors and 8U section director that the player did, in fact, rank in the top 1/3 of the skaters on the top team following team evaluation tryouts.
• 8U Girls wanting to play on 10U Girls Team
• WAHA Region Directors and 8U Section Director make all final approval decisions for ALL skaters playing up from 8U to 10U.
• The form to request is found online from WAHA: “8U PLAYER REQUEST TO MOVE UP TO 10U”, which must be submitted to the MWC Board prior to the season start.

Playing down

WAHA has ruled there will be no exceptions to playing down unless approved by WAHA for disability.

Changing Teams

Skaters are typically not allowed to move up to a higher ranked team within a level once rosters are selected following tryouts. This includes situations when permanent vacancies arise, because roster sizes will often cover these infrequent situations. Examples of permanent vacancies include:

• Skaters moving out of the area
• Skaters discontinuing hockey play
• Skaters injured and out for the season

However, the Hockey Committee can grant a variance from this policy if circumstances justify a reconsideration of team(s) rosters. Items for reconsideration by the board include the following:

• A response to multiple roster changes.
• Multiple roster depletions for a team.
• Clear player misplacements identified and substantiated by the head coach.
• New Skaters Adjustments
• Players who move into the district after try-outs are immediately placed on the lowest age-appropriate leveled team. After a couple of weeks of evaluation, the head coach may request that the player be moved to a higher skill level team within that age bracket.

In any event, there will always be multiple factors involved with moving a player after tryouts and therefore, careful consideration must be given to all aspects. Additionally, any such player move shall never result in moving a player “down” a level.