To the Members of our Michigan Hockey Community:

With the 2020-21 hockey season quickly approaching, the Michigan Amateur Hockey Association (MAHA) wanted to share some critical information, as well as key updates on our seasonal timeline:

TEAM TRYOUTS

As we’re still awaiting approval to re-open ice rinks throughout most of the state, the MAHA took the opportunity to survey its membership on several topics, including the team tryout timeline. Given the progress we’ve made statewide, while navigating the COVID-19 pandemic, we are in a position to consider expediting the team tryout calendar in an effort to ensure a timely start to the 2020-21 season. Members who participated in the MAHA Survey voted in strong favor of this adjustment, earlier this month.

With this in mind, once local and state governments allow for facilities to re-open and resume on-ice activities, team tryouts will be conducted in the following format:

TIER I TRYOUTS – YOUTH & GIRLS 12U – 19U – Will be held no sooner than (7) days after the re-opening of rinks.

TIER II TRYOUTS – YOUTH & GIRLS 10U – 19U – Will be held no sooner than (14) days after the re-opening of rinks.

(NOTE: Once re-opening dates have been confirmed for rinks in Michigan, follow-up communication will be provided by the MAHA to confirm designated team tryout periods.)

TIER III – EVALUATIONS / DRAFT – Evaluation skates will be held no sooner than (7) days after the re-opening of rinks. Team drafts will be held no sooner than (14) days after the re-opening of rinks.

TEAM ROSTERS

Teams may begin finalizing roster information for the 2020-21 season.  Rosters will receive final approval as early as September 1, 2020. The following exceptions apply:

MIDGET SPLIT-SEASON TEAMS - Teams participating in the Midget Split Season may begin rostering their teams immediately, and actively seek competition in open regions of Michigan as well as out-of-state.

TOURNAMENT TEAMS – Between now and August 31st, Tier I and Tier II teams may build and approve a ‘tournament roster’ in order to participate in USA Hockey-sanctioned tournaments / events held in open regions of Michigan, as well as out-of-state. The following conditions apply:

• Participating players must be limited to those who committed through MAHA’s Early Player Agreement Policy. Player names must be confirmed on the Early Player Agreement Registry on the MAHA website.
• Teams may NOT roster players outside of those committed through MAHA’s Early Player Agreement Policy, as this is a violation of the Tryout Policy, per the MAHA Guide Book.
• As early as September 1, tournament teams will need to establish a Regular Season roster for participation in the 2020-21 season.

INTERSTATE TRAVEL NOTIFICATION FORM (click here to access)

The Michigan Amateur Hockey Association (MAHA) is committed to providing a safe environment for its participants/spectators consistent with all applicable mandates and best practices. It expects that all parties will abide by all USA Hockey and MAHA rules, policies and procedures related to the COVID-19 crisis. This encompasses all mandates and restriction from local governments and the State of Michigan, including those communicated by the Governor through Executive Orders.  This also includes restrictions in jurisdictions outside of Michigan. 

If a team intends to travel out of the State of Michigan for the 2020-2021 season, the Interstate Travel Notification Form must be completed and submitted to the MAHA within 10 days prior to the proposed travel, regardless of whether there will be overnight lodging. This allows MAHA to achieve the following:

• Maintain a historical log as to what states Michigan teams are traveling to
• Provide relevant COVID-19 data and/or updates, prior to the start of the out-of-state event
• Provide relevant COVID-19 data and/or updates, following the conclusion of the out-of-state event

All participants are strongly encouraged to adhere to CDC guidelines for best practices in personal hygiene, as well as proper social distancing.

As previously indicated, the Michigan Amateur Hockey Association (MAHA) remains optimistic that our return to the rink, in all areas of the state, will take place sooner than later. The MAHA will start the Fall season as soon as its legally possible, and we continue to thank our membership for its ongoing patience and support.

We look forward to seeing you at the rink very soon!

Sincerely,

George Atkinson

President, MAHA

Jason Reynolds

Director of Operations & Marketing, MAHA