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O L L O W I N G THE PATH OF U S A H o c k e y 's National Team Development Program, and the American Development Model, USA Hockey once again renewed its commitment to i n n ov a t i v e p l a y e r d e v e l o p - ment by establishing the USA Hockey Development League, which will begin operations in the 2027-28 season. T h e D L r e p r e s e n t s t h e latest step in USA Hockey 's l o n g - t e r m c o m m i t m e n t t o a d v a n c i n g p l a y e r d e v e l o p - m e n t . I t f o l l ow s t w o m a j o r milestones: the launch of the National Team Development Program (NTDP) in 1996 and t h e i m p l e m e n t a t i o n o f t h e American Development Model (ADM) in 2009. It is a natu- ral evolution in USA Hockey's commitment to player devel- o p m e n t . A c o m m o n g o a l o f all three of these revolution- a r y c h a n g e s i n A m e r i c a n hockey is to set a new, higher standard for player develop- ment across the entirety of the youth hockey landscape. W hat is the USA Hockey W hat is the USA Hockey Development League? Development League? The DL will not be a league The DL will not be a league in the traditional sense, in the traditional sense, but rather a framework of but rather a framework of youth hockey programs youth hockey programs across the United States, across the United States, with the primary objective with the primary objective of optimizing player of optimizing player development. development. What is the rationale for What is the rationale for the Development League? the Development League? The landscape of youth The landscape of youth hockey in the U.S. is evolving, hockey in the U.S. is evolving, with more talented players with more talented players emerging each year. The DL emerging each year. The DL would provide an additional would provide an additional level of hockey within USA level of hockey within USA Hockey's player development Hockey's player development pathway to ensure that pathway to ensure that players receive optimal players receive optimal training and competition, training and competition, ultimately strengthening the ultimately strengthening the overall player pool for junior overall player pool for junior and college hockey. and college hockey. What is the timeline for What is the timeline for the Development League? the Development League? Applications for the DL Applications for the DL will open on May 1, 2026, will open on May 1, 2026, and close on June 30, and close on June 30, 2026. 2026. Program selection will Program selection will be announced on October 16, be announced on October 16, 2026. The DL will begin play in 2026. The DL will begin play in the fall of 2027. the fall of 2027. Will the DL replace Tier I Will the DL replace Tier I Hockey? Hockey? No. The implementation of the No. The implementation of the DL is not intended to displace DL is not intended to displace any component of the existing any component of the existing youth hockey infrastructure. youth hockey infrastructure. Instead, the DL will be Instead, the DL will be assimilated into the current Tier assimilated into the current Tier I and youth hockey framework I and youth hockey framework to further define the player to further define the player development pathway. It is development pathway. It is designed to work in cooperation designed to work in cooperation with Tier I hockey. with Tier I hockey. What age groups will be What age groups will be included in the DL? included in the DL? The DL shall encompass full- The DL shall encompass full- season teams at the 15U and season teams at the 15U and 17U age classifications. Selected 17U age classifications. Selected DL organizations may field up DL organizations may field up to five teams, one each in the to five teams, one each in the following age classifications: following age classifications: 13O (Tier I), 14U (Tier I), 15U 13O (Tier I), 14U (Tier I), 15U (DL), 17U (DL), 18U (Tier I). (DL), 17U (DL), 18U (Tier I). Why 15U and 17U age Why 15U and 17U age categories? categories? Establishing 15U and 17U age Establishing 15U and 17U age categories acknowledges the categories acknowledges the non-linear nature of player non-linear nature of player development. These categories, development. These categories, in conjunction with the in conjunction with the traditional Tier I categories traditional Tier I categories of 13O, 14U, 15O, 16U and 18U of 13O, 14U, 15O, 16U and 18U emphasize the importance of emphasize the importance of having multiple entry and exit having multiple entry and exit points to facilitate individual points to facilitate individual player development. player development. How would USA Hockey How would USA Hockey Development League Development League players be selected? players be selected? Once programs are selected for Once programs are selected for the USA Hockey Development the USA Hockey Development League, they would conduct their League, they would conduct their own tryouts to form their teams, own tryouts to form their teams, similar to the existing Tier I similar to the existing Tier I process. process. How many teams will How many teams will participate in the DL? participate in the DL? The DL is slated to commence The DL is slated to commence with thirty-two (32) programs, with thirty-two (32) programs, each of which will be required to each of which will be required to O F F T HE D R AW 8 // MARCH 2026 USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM F "The DL represents the latest step in USA Hockey's long-term commitment to advancing player development." The USA Hockey Development League YOUTH HOCKEY