Dear THA Parents:
As you are aware the Triad Hockey Alliance (THA), along with the Greensboro Amateur Hockey Association (GYHA) and the Winston-Salem Amateur Hockey Association (WSYHA) are all members of CAHA. CAHA is an affiliate member of USA Hockey, the governing body for amateur hockey in the United States.
CAHA thru USA Hockey is recommending changes to the structure of the youth hockey programs offered which would significantly affect the 10U and 12U programs. CAHA is calling their recommendations the ‘Strategic Action Plan’. We have posted a full copy of the CAHA Strategic Action Plan on the THA website for public access. The CAHA Strategic Action Plan recommends some standards for House Programs and also addresses 8U which presently falls under GYHA and WSYHA. Below, we have provided a quick recap of the CAHA Strategic Action Plan recommendations to the U10 and U12 programs. Please be aware, CAHA’s timetable is to receive feedback from associations and vote to adopt (or not) the recommendations detailed in their Strategic Action Plan in February 2020. The plan, in whole or part, will be phased in and implemented starting for the 2020-21 season. If adopted by CAHA, this could significantly affect how we operate our 10 and 12U programs.
The THA Board of Directors at their meeting on Tuesday January 7 discussed the CAHA Strategic Action Plan and voted to form a committee chaired by Dean Christy, THA Hockey Operations Manager with the purpose to gather information and provide a draft response for the Board to consider. The committee will be looking at such factors as:
- The effect on the development of players and coaches
- The effect it will have on a smaller association such as THA
- The impact on ice availability
- What effect this would have on older age levels as players advance
- Financial impact on the association and our members
- Is the plan overall positive or negative for the THA and our membership
As we are a membership driven association we want to hear from parents. Please share your thoughts (pro or con) in regard to CAHA’s Strategic Action Plan via e-mail or through SportsEngine.
When reviewing the plan, we encourage you to read the key principles as outlined for 10U and 12U. The 14U, 16U and 18U program recommendations do not significantly change how the THA operates those age groups.
Quick Recap:
10U AGE GROUP
Key principles at 10U are to follow age-appropriate concepts and skills so players enjoy the experience and develop both as hockey players and young kids. The focus is on fun, engagement, active practices, age-appropriate training, and basic hockey knowledge. To increase the value to families, we look to achieve 3:1 practice to game ratios, increase local play, and reduce travel
- We encourage the use of 3:1 practice to game ratio. For a full season, the target is 70-80 practices (50-60 minutes in length) and 30 games at this age group. The maximum game count for this age group at any level is 30 games for an entire season. This does not include 10U scramble Jamborees.
- At the House level, we want to appeal to those players who are content with 1 practice and 1 game per week but we also want to increase the focus on skill development versus games. Therefore a 2:1 practice to game ratio is attainable if practices are increased and number of games is decreased. To achieve this, we recommend 3 teams on ice in practices.
- We encourage House Associations to offer supplemental skill development programs for those players who wish to improve their skills to move into Select or Travel hockey.
- Team rosters of 10-12 skaters plus goalies and goalies play out as player when they are not in goal
- Select/B teams cannot hold tryouts until September 15.
- 50% of 10U Games must be in the 4v4 half-ice format. The remaining 50% may be full-ice games. It is encouraged that full-ice games be utilized in the 2nd half of a season. This will be phased in at 50% of 10U games in 2020-21 to 70% in 2021-22.
- Maximum game count is 30 games. For example, a team may play 15 games in the Half-Ice format and 15 games in the full-ice format which delivers the 50% Half-Ice format for their games. The CHL play-in tournament does not count towards game count.
- There is no AA designation – all travel teams play A and may designate Upper or Lower in the CHL.
- No 10U travel team may play outside of the CAHA boundaries more than 3 times a season. Select/B teams play all games in CAHA.
- There is no limit on participating in 10U scramble Jamborees.
- Select/B teams cannot hold tryouts until September 15.
| Age | Level | Practices (2:1 to desired 3:1 Ratio) | MAXIMUM TOTAL Games | Off-Ice | Geography |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10U | House | 40-60 | 30 max | 2 per week | In 2020-21, 50% of games must be Half-Ice and played within the House program. 70% in 2021-22 |
| House Select/B | 50-75 | 30 max | 2 per week | In 2020-21, 50% of games must be Half-Ice and played in the House program. 70% in 2021-22 | |
| A | 75-90 | 30 max | 2 per week | In 2020-21, 50% of games must be Half-Ice and played within the House program. 70% in 2021-22. Teams may travel 3 times outside of CAHA to tournaments or exhibition games with travel permit. Exception for required travel outside of CAHA to play CHL games and does not count towards the number of times the team may travel outside of CAHA | |
| AA | NO AA at this age group |
12U AGE GROUP
Key principles at 12U are to follow age-appropriate concepts and skills so players enjoy the experience and develop both as hockey players and young kids. The focus is on fun, engagement, active practices, age-appropriate training, skill development, and body contact. To increase the value to families, we look to achieve 3:1 practice to game ratios, increase local play, and reduce travel.
- We encourage the use of 3:1 practice to game ratio. For a full season, the target is 100-120 practices (1 hour in length) and 30-40 games at this age group.
| Age Group | Level | Practices (2:1 minimum to desired 3:1 Ratio) | MAXIMUM TOTAL Games | Off-Ice | Geography |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12U | House | 60-70 | 30 max | 2 Per Week | House Only |
| House Select/B | 70-80 | 36 max | 2 Per Week | All Games and tournaments in CAHA only | |
| A Upper & Lower | 100-120 | 36 max | 2 Per Week | Teams may travel 3 times outside of CAHA to tournaments or exhibition games with travel permit. Required travel outside of CAHA to play CHL games is an exception and does not count towards the number of times the team may travel outside of CAHA | |
| AA | 100-120 | 40 max | 2 Per Week | No limitations but it is encouraged that travel and lost school days are minimized | |
| AAA | 100-120 | 40 max | 2 Per Week | No limitations but it is encouraged that travel and lost school days are minimized |
- At the House level, we want to appeal to those players who are content with 1 practice and 1 game per week but we also want to increase the focus on skill development versus games. Therefore a 2:1 practice to game ratio is attainable if practices are increased and number of games is decreased. To achieve this, we recommend 3 teams on ice in practices.
- The maximum game count for this age group is 36 games for Tier 2 and 40 games for Tier 1 for an entire season. CHL play-in tournament does not count towards game count.
- Select 12U teams play all of their games in CAHA. The exception is for any CHL-required league games. 12UA and 12AA teams may play outside of the CAHA boundaries 3 times a season with. 12AAA teams may travel to any location.
- Select/B teams cannot hold tryouts until September 15.
This is very important to the future of the THA and we need to hear your feedback.
Any questions please let myself, any Board Member or members of the management team know your thoughts on this subject.
Sincerely:
Zachary Maggart, President and Member of the Board of Directors
Comments or Questions? email us at info@triadhockey.org