Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/1543978
MARCH 2026 USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM // 9 field one (1) team at the field one (1) team at the 15U level and one (1) 15U level and one (1) team at the 17U level. team at the 17U level. How will How will programs be programs be selected for the DL? selected for the DL? Teams will be selected Teams will be selected through an application through an application process reviewed by a process reviewed by a joint oversight subcommittee. joint oversight subcommittee. DL programs would be chosen DL programs would be chosen based on a matrix of past perfor- based on a matrix of past perfor- mance, commitment to player mance, commitment to player development, and history of development, and history of player advancement. Geographic player advancement. Geographic distribution will be considered distribution will be considered in team selection, ensuring stra- in team selection, ensuring stra- tegic regional representation tegic regional representation across the national landscape. across the national landscape. What is the permissible What is the permissible roster size for DL teams? roster size for DL teams? Each 15U and 17U team shall Each 15U and 17U team shall maintain a maximum roster size maintain a maximum roster size of twenty-two (22) players, with of twenty-two (22) players, with a minimum roster requirement a minimum roster requirement of twenty (20) players. Each of twenty (20) players. Each roster must include two (2) roster must include two (2) goaltenders. goaltenders. What are the restrictions What are the restrictions concerning international concerning international players? players? Each DL team may roster and Each DL team may roster and play up to two (2) non-U.S. play up to two (2) non-U.S. citizens, (excluding goalies, citizens, (excluding goalies, who must be U.S. citizens) who must be U.S. citizens) provided that the player(s) have provided that the player(s) have previously been registered with previously been registered with USA Hockey and played on a USA Hockey and played on a USA Hockey team. USA Hockey team. How would DL players be How would DL players be selected? selected? DL programs will be responsible DL programs will be responsible for conducting their own tryouts, for conducting their own tryouts, as well as scouting and signing as well as scouting and signing of players to form team rosters of players to form team rosters within USA Hockey rules. within USA Hockey rules. What is the residency What is the residency requirement for DL teams? requirement for DL teams? There will be no affiliate or There will be no affiliate or district residency requirements district residency requirements for DL teams. for DL teams. Who will be responsible for Who will be responsible for scheduling? scheduling? Scheduling will be conducted by Scheduling will be conducted by the individual teams. the individual teams. How many games will DL How many games will DL teams play? teams play? DL teams will participate in a DL teams will participate in a maximum of 55 games excluding maximum of 55 games excluding playoffs and championship. Sixty playoffs and championship. Sixty percent, specifically 35 games, percent, specifically 35 games, are required to be played against are required to be played against other DL teams, excluding other DL teams, excluding playoffs. playoffs. Will DL teams compete in Will DL teams compete in the USA Hockey National the USA Hockey National Championships? Championships? No. The DL will have a separate No. The DL will have a separate DL playoff and championship. DL playoff and championship. How will this impact junior How will this impact junior hockey in the United States? hockey in the United States? The DL is intended to enhance The DL is intended to enhance the national development the national development pathway by preparing players to pathway by preparing players to successfully transition into Tier successfully transition into Tier I (United States Hockey League) I (United States Hockey League) and Tier II (North American and Tier II (North American Hockey League) junior hockey. Hockey League) junior hockey. By focusing on advanced By focusing on advanced training and competition, the training and competition, the DL aims to elevate the overall DL aims to elevate the overall quality and readiness of athletes quality and readiness of athletes entering the junior ranks. entering the junior ranks. Will players outside the Will players outside the DL still have a pathway to DL still have a pathway to junior and college hockey? junior and college hockey? Yes. The DL is designed to be Yes. The DL is designed to be one of several development one of several development pathways. Players participating pathways. Players participating in Tier I, High School, Prep in Tier I, High School, Prep School, and Tier II will continue School, and Tier II will continue to have access to advancement to have access to advancement opportunities. Additionally, opportunities. Additionally, the DL is structured to support the DL is structured to support f lexible development, offering f lexible development, offering multiple entry and exit points to multiple entry and exit points to accommodate individual player accommodate individual player progression. progression. Why is there no DL for Why is there no DL for Girls hockey? Girls hockey? USA Hockey's Girls Council USA Hockey's Girls Council has determined that no change has determined that no change to the girls developmental to the girls developmental pathway is needed at this time. pathway is needed at this time. The challenges in Tier I youth The challenges in Tier I youth hockey require structural hockey require structural changes that are not currently changes that are not currently present in girls' hockey. USA present in girls' hockey. USA Hockey has modified the Hockey has modified the structure of girls' hockey in the structure of girls' hockey in the past and will continue to make past and will continue to make changes as needed. changes as needed. P PARENTS OF YOUNG PLAYERS PARENTS OF YOUNG PLAYERS YOUNG PLAYERS There is only so much time on the ice to teach player positioning. HockeyPositioning.com This easy to use training app was created just for your player! HockeyPositioning.com was created to help young players learn positioning early. This is not F1, 2 & 3 for older players but is professionally designed for young athletes—easy to use and easy to understand. How it works: • Pick your position • Move the puck • Players move to the right spots • Use the Coach button to see the best options, with and without puck possession This app will help your child become a better hockey player and, in turn, help their team play better hockey and win more games. Get started today and help your player learn—and keep loving—the game. Does 1 puck with 5 players chasing it around the rink sound all too familiar? You are not alone! SCAN HERE TO LEARN MORE!