All players participating in tryouts must first have completed registration and met all qualifications to play MYHA hockey as determined by the MYHA registrar.

YOUTH CLASSIFICATIONS

Youth 6U / Mini-Mite (Born on or after June 1, 2015)
Youth ages 5 and 6. Youth hockey associations in Minnesota Hockey offer a variety of programs at this age level that focus on teaching the basics of skating and hockey skills. Most programs are very affordable to allow kids to try the sport at a low cost and commitment. Non-checking.

Youth 8U / Mite (June 1, 2013 to May 31, 2015)
Youth ages 7 and 8. Most associations have multiple levels of Mite Divisions (I, II, III) based upon skill, age and size. There’s usually something for everyone! Contact your local association to get in touch with a Mite Coordinator for more information. Non-checking.

Youth 10U / Squirt (June 1, 2011 to May 31, 2013)
Youth ages 9 and 10. Most associations have multiple levels of Squirt teams (A, B & C) with varying amounts of cost, travel and competitiveness. Contact your local association to get in touch with a Squirt Coordinator for more information.

Youth 12U / Peewee (June 1, 2009 to May 31, 2011)
Youth ages 11 and 12. Most associations have multiple levels of Peewee teams (A, B & C) with varying amounts of cost, travel and competitiveness. Contact your local association to get in touch with a Peewee Coordinator for more information. Minnesota Hockey hosts Region and State Tournaments at the Peewee B, Peewee A and Peewee AA levels.  Non Checking.

Youth 14U / Bantam (June 1, 2007 to May 31, 2009)
Youth ages 13 and 14. Most associations have multiple levels of Bantam teams (A, B & C) with varying amounts of cost, travel and competitiveness. Contact your local association to get in touch with a Bantam Coordinator for more information. Minnesota Hockey hosts Region and State Tournaments for the Bantam B, Bantam A and Bantam AA levels. Checking.

Junior Gold 16 (June 1, 2005 to May 31, 2007)
Youth ages 15 and 16. Select associations now field a Junior Gold 16 team in addition to or as an alternative to high school Junior Varsity and Junior Gold. Contact your local association or district to get in touch with a 16 & Under Coordinator for more information.  Checking.

Midget 
No longer classified in Minnesota Hockey.

Junior Gold (June 1, 2003 to May 31, 2005)
Young men ages 16, 17 and 18. Most associations now field Junior Gold teams in addition to or as an alternative to high school Junior Varsity. Contact your local association or district to get in touch with a Junior Gold Coordinator for more information. Minnesota Hockey hosts Region and State Tournaments for Junior Gold. Checking.

Level Move Down Policy

1. Move downs at any level are discouraged and generally not allowed.
2. A request to move down for Squirt level and above must be submitted in writing to the MYHA registrar during registration and approved by a majority of the MYHA board.  The request must then be forwarded through District 6 to the Minnesota Registrar for determination.
3. Players requesting to move down are only eligible for “C’ level teams.

Level Move Up Policy

1. MYHA has a strict policy to place a player at their appropriate age level as determined by Minnesota eligibility rules. 
2. The MYHA board will consider exceptions to allow players to move up under the following circumstances:
   1. The MYHA recognizes the girls program is growing and greater latitude must be allowed to consider team sizes and registration issues. 
   2. Grade Level Exception
      1. MYHA will authorize a move up in the Youth Program for the player who is not eligible for the level of their peer grade per the Minnesota birth data parameters. This consideration is given only to allow players to play with friends in their school grade and not due to a player’s hockey ability. This affects players relative to their grade as follows:

Players who are not eligible per birth date:	But are entering:
3rd & 4th year Mites	3rd Grade
Squirts	4th Grade
Pee Wees	6th Grade
Bantams	8th Grade

Youth Players who are affected relative to their grade will be given the opportunity to move up if they choose. Players must declare their desire to move-up in writing to the MYHA registrar prior to the start of fall tryouts. Once a player declares their intent to move up, they must remain at that level for tryouts and play for the team they are selected for at that level for the remainder of the season.  Requests for Grade Level Exceptions must be made be made at registration.

1. Sibling Exception
2. A player who has a sibling that is one year older and playing at the next higher level, for example, a Squirt player that has an older brother at Pee Wee’s, may request a move up to play at the higher level. The request will be permitted provided both players agree to play at the “C” level, or the lowest level offered. Requests for Sibling Exceptions must be made be made at registration.
3. Goalie Exception
4. On occasion, the MYHA Board, upon recommendation of the Hockey Development Director, may request goalies to move up a level due to roster size limitations. A goalie that has been selected to move up may not play higher than a “C” level unless they participated at the higher level during tryouts, or upon the recommendation of the Hockey Development Director.