So a few weeks ago PAHL sent out this notice to all organizations:

For tryouts involving teams declared as Tier I and Tier II, the USAH policy applies, stating that no tryout activities are permitted until 48 hours after the end of USAH National Tournaments.  Last date of USAH National Tournaments is Sunday, March 29, so those tryout activities can begin on Tuesday 3/31.  This policy is found in Section III, Part B of the "Rules & Regulations" section of the USA Hockey Annual Guide (Page 164).  Policies on recruiting and tampering are on page 169, and Tier II and house/rec tryout policies are on page 171.

The use of the phrase "tryout activities" is intentional, versus only the word "tryouts."  No association should be conducting anything that even remotely resembles a means of soliciting, evaluating, or selecting players prior to the established dates for tryout activities.  The specific definition of "tryouts" provided by USA Hockey is, as follows:

• “Tryout” means any process on or off-ice that evaluates a player or group of players for the purpose of choosing players for a program or team. A Tryout also includes any team practices, off ice training sessions, open skates, skills sessions, or identification skates which include a player that is not on a regular season USA Hockey Roster with that association’s teams or program. USA Hockey programs, coaches and administrators are not permitted to operate a program outside of USA Hockey as a means of avoiding the prohibitions on tryouts or recruiting. While USA Hockey does not restrict a coach’s private business, if a coach runs a private camp, meeting, event, skate or skills clinic outside of USA Hockey for one or more players, then the coach and/or team/program should be investigated as Code of Conduct/tampering and the player should face disciplinary action."

Yet I see multiple PAHL teams, U13 and older, posting Open Skates, Clinics (*not associated with tryout), and "Meet the Coach" Skates happening this week and into next week. Some have already happened.  The question is will PAHL or USAH actually follow through with the appropriate punishment (ie not eligible for District and National Tournaments), or will they continue to look the other way?  

The organizations are making no attempt to hide these. They are publicly marketing and promoting them.  Some even using paid advertising on social media.  Or does this mean with the new Development League coming this season, USAH cares less about the Tier I and Tier II divisions and will just protect it's new investment for now.

I assume nothing will ever happen. As long as they aren't openly evaluating players I'm not sure they can do much in terms of stopping them.

Most of these teams are required to buy the ice as part of their contract with the rinks. What should they do with them?

If you’re looking for an even playing field, you’ve come to the wrong place. 

If they are being advertised then there probably isn't a problem especially if any kid off the street can show up and skate.  If it is something that is "invite only" then you might have an argument.  

1 hour ago, Corsi said:

If they are being advertised then there probably isn't a problem especially if any kid off the street can show up and skate.  If it is something that is "invite only" then you might have an argument.  

USAH prohibits a USAH organization from having any player not already registered with their organization, prior to Dec 31st, to be on the ice for an organizational skate of any kind until 48 hours after nationals.  This would be for all skates 2008-2013. Again the penalty is being barred from participation in district and national tournaments.  But I guess from the lack of response from either the PAHL Executive Board, and MidAMs, this rule is no longer enforced. Strange that PAHL would sent out notification against it though.  So I guess my other question is, why is the PAHL Executive Director position a salaried, full time position?   Almost half of all the money paid into PAHL by the organizations goes to paid the board, with the ED getting the bulk of that.  1% of the yearly budget is spent on "Growing the Game".  So if they are not going to enforce their own rules, they do not schedule refs, scorekeepers, or EMTs for game.  They don't secure ice slots for games or playoffs.  They don't actually schedule league games, they just make the match-ups.  What is the full time position for?  Hearings on suspension and deciding placements? At what point are the organization presidents going to start to hold the board accountable? The organizations pay the league.  The league works for the organizations, and by the looks of it, the organizations are doing all the work.  And I guarantee all of the organization boards combined are not making what the PAHL board makes. 

We expect the lack of oversite from MidAM.  They made their allegiances know years ago. But hey PAHL finally did stats for the kids this year...YAY!

How else are teams supposed to lock down at least 75% of the roster before tryouts? 

How much would the average PAHL team save per season if we didn’t pay those salaries. How much would each kid save? It blows my mind that they are paid position, especially full time. But I also know I don’t have another choice, only option for my family is PAHL. 

With my kids being younger, excuse my ignorance on this but does this only apply to National Bound Teams or does this apply to all age groups in USA Hockey? 

On 3/25/2026 at 9:44 AM, newhockeydad said:

With my kids being younger, excuse my ignorance on this but does this only apply to National Bound Teams or does this apply to all age groups in USA Hockey? 

It does not apply to all age groups