at the january, 2014 maha winter meeting, the...

January 26, 2014 AT THE JANUARY, 2014 MAHA WINTER MEETING, THE FOLLOWING (36) RULES CHANGE PROPOSALS:

- FAILED TO RECEIVE ENOUGH VOTES TO BE SENT FORWARD TO THE SUMMER MEETING

- OR FAILED TO RECEIVE ENOUGH VOTES TO BE BROUGHT TO THE

MEETING FLOOR (LATE PROPOSALS) - OR WERE WITHDRAWN.

SUBJECT: ByLaw 5: Government X MAHA USA CHANGE X NEW RULE RULE NO. ByLaw 5, C.1.j PAGE NO. 14 Current Rule Reads: Revise As Follows: The Director serving as President shall be limited to one single three (3) year term, and cannot be reelected to that position. Effective Date of Rule: Effective immediately (current President will serve out his current term). Reason For Change: Three years is long enough for an individual to preside over the general assembly. Unlike other Executive Board members, that serve as subject matter experts, the office of President is more of an overall managerial position. A periodic change in management perspectives and leadership attributes is a healthy thing for a volunteer organization. (When MAHA was founded, I think the founding Directors recognized this, and from 1969 – 1998 the Presidents term was only for one single year.) Also, by changing Presidents every three years, I think it keeps the Districts more engaged in driving the organizations agenda, and helps to guard against complacency. PROCEDURE FOR M.A.H.A. RULES CHANGES: Submitted by: Larry Marshall 1. Submit to District Director District Director: Larry Marshall 2. District Reviews and Forwards to MAHA Rules Committee 3. Directors move to forward or reject at MAHA Winter Meeting Rules Committee Action: 4. Proposal Voted On at the MAHA Summer Meeting MAHA Directors Action: ALL RULES CHANGE PROPOSALS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE RULES COMMITTEE BY DEC. 15 IN ELECTRONIC FORMAT (via e-mail or on a disk)

Michigan Amateur Hockey Association PROPOSED RULE CHANGE

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SUBJECT: ByLaw 5: Government X MAHA USA CHANGE X NEW RULE RULE NO. ByLaw 5,C.2.e. PAGE NO. 14 Current Rule Reads: Revise As Follows: The Director serving as Executive Vice-President shall be limited to a single, three (3) year term, and cannot be reelected to that position. Effective Date of Rule: Effective immediately (current Executive Vice-President will serve out his current term) Reason For Change: Three years is long enough for an individual to preside over the general assembly. Unlike other Executive Board members, that serve as subject matter experts for the association, the office of Executive Vice-President is more of an overall managerial position. A periodic change in management perspectives and leadership attributes is a healthy thing for a volunteer organization. Also, by changing Executive Vice-Presidents every three years, I think it keeps the Districts more engaged in driving the organizations agenda, and helps to guard against complacency. PROCEDURE FOR M.A.H.A. RULES CHANGES: Submitted by: Larry Marshall 1. Submit to District Director District Director: Larry Marshall 2. District Reviews and Forwards to MAHA Rules Committee 3. Directors move to forward or reject at MAHA Winter Meeting Rules Committee Action: 4. Proposal Voted On at the MAHA Summer Meeting MAHA Directors Action: ALL RULES CHANGE PROPOSALS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE RULES COMMITTEE BY DEC. 15 IN ELECTRONIC FORMAT (via e-mail or on a disk)


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SUBJECT: Elections Eligibility X MAHA USA X CHANGE NEW RULE RULE NO. Bylaw 5, I PAGE NO. 15 Current Rule Reads: I. ELECTIONS 1. Eligilility a) Candidates for all postions (1) must have been a member in good standing of MAHA for a three year period prior to nomination; (2) shall not have been involved in a skating facility as an arena manger or owner during that period; (3) shall not have been involved as an owner, officer or manager of a for-profit tourament or for-profit league during that period; (4) Revise As Follows: (2) shall not have been involved in a skating facility as an arena manger or owner during that period; (3) shall nothave been involved as an owner, officer, or manager of a for-profit tourament or for-profit league during that period; Effective Date of Rule: July 13, 2014 Reason For Change: Allow more volunteers to contribute. These are the people who are directly involved in the day to day operations of our associations and as a result are most familiar with the concerns that need to be addressed or not as the case may be. There are sufficient checks and balances that items (2) and (3) are not needed and this diminishes the pool of viable candidates. PROCEDURE FOR M.A.H.A. RULES CHANGES: Submitted by: Bob DeSpirt 1. Submit to District Director District Director: 2. District Reviews and Forwards to MAHA Rules Committee 3. Directors move to forward or reject at MAHA Winter Meeting Rules Committee Action: 4. Proposal Voted On at the MAHA Summer Meeting MAHA Directors Action: ALL RULES CHANGE PROPOSALS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE RULES COMMITTEE BY DEC. 15 IN ELECTRONIC FORMAT (via e-mail or on a disk)


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SUBJECT: ByLaw 5: Government X MAHA USA CHANGE X NEW RULE RULE NO. ByLaw 5, I.2.c.4. PAGE NO. 16 Current Rule Reads: Revise As Follows: Prior to the voting process, each Officer candidate, must present to the full Board of Directors, in an open forum (Q&A) format, their reason, agenda, and motivation for being on the Executive Board. If a candidate is unopposed, this requirement can be waived by unanimous consent of the electorate. Effective Date of Rule: Effective Immediately Reason For Change: This will give the District Directors of the organization an opportunity to find out more about the candidates that aspire to lead the MAHA moving forward. These leadership positions are too important to the future of the MAHA for us to make decisions based solely upon seniority, popularity, and/or a written resume. We need to be able to discuss with the candidates, such issues as: (1) Why they want to be an Officer of the association; (2) How they plan to carry out their duties and responsibilities, with USA Hockey, with the Executive Board, and with the Districts; (3) What ideas do they have for the future direction of their position and how will that improve the MAHA. These presentations can easily take place immediately prior to the voting process for the position. PROCEDURE FOR M.A.H.A. RULES CHANGES: Submitted by: Larry Marshall 1. Submit to District Director District Director: Larry Marshall 2. District Reviews and Forwards to MAHA Rules Committee 3. Directors move to forward or reject at MAHA Winter Meeting Rules Committee Action: 4. Proposal Voted On at the MAHA Summer Meeting MAHA Directors Action: ALL RULES CHANGE PROPOSALS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE RULES COMMITTEE BY DEC. 15 IN ELECTRONIC FORMAT (via e-mail or on a disk)


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SUBJECT: MAHA USA CHANGE NEW RULE RULE NO. By-law 6. B. 1. PAGE NO. 18 Current Rule Reads:

Revise As Follows:

r) Third Choice Committee

Shall consist of the Chairs from Three (3) MAHA Districts, one of the DAL’s, and, one other member of the State Playoff Committee, designated by the Vice-President for Youth. The chair will be selected annually by the members. Shall review the merit of any requests for a third choice and approve or deny, with written notice given to the petitioner and the State Playoff Committee.

Effective Date of Rule: September 1, 2015 Reason For Change: Needed if 2-Choice rule is passed. PROCEDURE FOR M.A.H.A. RULES CHANGES: Submitted by: MAHA 2018 Task Force 1. Submit to District Director District Director: 2. District Reviews and Forwards to MAHA Rules Committee 3. Directors move to forward or reject at MAHA Winter Meeting Rules Committee Action: 4. Proposal Voted On at the MAHA Summer Meeting MAHA Directors Action: ALL RULES CHANGE PROPOSALS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE RULES COMMITTEE BY DEC. 15 IN ELECTRONIC FORMAT (via e-mail or on a disk)


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SUBJECT: Rule Amendments X MAHA USA CHANGE X NEW RULE RULE NO. Bylaw 11, I. PAGE NO. 19 Current Rule Reads: A. through H. Revise As Follows: New Paragraph: I. The Rules Committee by three-quarters vote can approve pilot changes to the MAHA Rules and Regulations to be effective for up to a twelve month period. All submissions for consideration shall use the MAHA “Proposed Rule Change” form. After such period, the Rules Committee shall make a recommendation to the next Summer Meeting for approval as a special committee report if so warranted. The pilot rule can remain effective beyond the 12 month period to reach the next Summer Meeting if approved by the Rules Committee (requires a three-quarters vote). The Rules Committee will report on all submissions received for a pilot rule change and disposition at the Summer Meeting. Effective Date of Rule: July 13, 2014 Reason For Change: We all say that there are things that need to change and sometimes we even identify actions that we believe will make us more competitive. As with any large organization its ability to remain vibrant and relevant is its ability to implement change. This is one of the competitive advantages that successful companies have. Member organizations will always learn to “adapt” to the rules and many times the “catch me if you can” philosophy applies. MAHA needs to be able to listen and react to our membership on a timely basis if MAHA is to remain competitive. A twelve month pilot will be of sufficient time to judge the merit of a proposal and lead to a permanent rule change if warranted. PROCEDURE FOR M.A.H.A. RULES CHANGES: Submitted by: Bob DeSpirt 1. Submit to District Director District Director: 2. District Reviews and Forwards to MAHA Rules Committee 3. Directors move to forward or reject at MAHA Winter Meeting Rules Committee Action: 4. Proposal Voted On at the MAHA Summer Meeting MAHA Directors Action: ALL RULES CHANGE PROPOSALS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE RULES COMMITTEE BY DEC. 15 IN ELECTRONIC FORMAT (via e-mail or on a disk)


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SUBJECT: Definition of an Association X MAHA USA X CHANGE NEW RULE RULE NO. I, B, 4 PAGE NO. 20 Current Rule Reads:

4. An association must have a demographic large enough to support it. The association shall have

(a) An approved .......etc (b) A house program ...etc (c) An association may....etc (d) The association must....etc

Revise As Follows: 4. An association shall have

(a) A learn-to-skate/initiation program (b) A 6U/8U cross-ice

program (c) A minimum of 3 rostered teams in any division/classification currently

recognized by MAHA. Effective Date of Rule: July 13, 2014 Reason For Change: Current rule is outdated and does not reflect the changing demographics across Michigan. And who will determine when a demographic is large enough to support an association. That is better left up to the association. And why are we disregarding the travel teams that belong to an association. They help to support the association as much as the house teams. And why have we left out the adult men's and women's teams? These teams are part of amateur hockey as well. This rule change simplifies the requirements to be an association.

PROCEDURE FOR M.A.H.A. RULES CHANGES: Submitted by: Mike Corso, D7 Chair

1. Submit to District Director District Director: 2. District Reviews and Forwards to MAHA Rules Committee 3. Directors move to forward or reject at MAHA Winter Meeting Rules Committee Action: 4. Proposal Voted On at the MAHA Summer Meeting MAHA Directors Action: ALL RULES CHANGE PROPOSALS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE RULES COMMITTEE BY DEC. 15 IN ELECTRONIC FORMAT (via e-mail or on a disk)


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SUBJECT: A proposal to restore the numerical balance between House (B) and Travel (A/AA) teams at the U10, U12 and U16 classifications. MAHA USA CHANGE NEW RULE RULE NO. I.B.4.c PAGE NO. 20 Current Rule Reads: An Association may also form teams in other MAHA age/division Classifications. Revise As Follows: An Association may also form teams in other MAHA age/division Classifications. An association shall have no more than one Tier II (AA) Youth and one A Youth team in each classification: U14, U12 and U10. **Gradual phase-in (grandfather clause): The limitation of one AA or A Youth team shall begin in the 2015-16 season at the Squirt A (2006 birth year) level. In subsequent years, later birth years (younger classifications) shall be similarly limited. This rule will be fully implemented in the 2020-21 season. The rule shall not apply to 2005 and older birth year teams. Effective Date of Rule: September 1, 2015 (for the 2015-16 season) Reason For Change: There has been a recent trend towards associations adding second, and in some cases third, Travel (A/AA) teams at each birth year classification. Additionally, there are now a number of “Travel only” associations at the U14, U12 and U10 classifications. The effect has been not only to reduce the number of House (B) teams within their associations, but to cannibalize from other, local associations. The net result has been that while historically the majority of players and teams were in the B category, this has now shifted such that AA/A teams now far outnumber B teams in many Districts. Among the negative consequences of this are that many associations now field only one B team in each classification, and as such there is an incentive to recruit and lock in registrations to fill one team, creating de-facto “select” teams at the B level. Additionally, as AA/A players tend to move between associations far more that B players, there is a loss of continuity and association volunteer support commensurate with the decrease in the number of B players. This proposal seeks to restore the appropriate balance between AA/A and B teams, increase volunteer (parent) stability within associations fielding B teams, and decrease the occurrence recruitment of players to form single B teams. PROCEDURE FOR M.A.H.A. RULES CHANGES: Submitted by: Lawrence Winkelman 1. Submit to District Director District Director: 2. District Reviews and Forwards to MAHA Rules Committee 3. Directors move to forward or reject at MAHA Winter Meeting Rules Committee Action: 4. Proposal Voted On at the MAHA Summer Meeting MAHA Directors Action: ALL RULES CHANGE PROPOSALS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE RULES COMMITTEE BY DEC. 15 IN ELECTRONIC FORMAT (via e-mail or on a disk)


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SUBJECT: A proposal to restore the numerical balance between House (B) and Travel (A/AA) teams at the U10, U12 and U16 classifications. MAHA USA CHANGE NEW RULE RULE NO. I.B.4.c PAGE NO. 20 Current Rule Reads: An Association may also form teams in other MAHA age/division Classifications. Revise As Follows: An Association may also form teams in other MAHA age/division Classifications. An association shall have no more than one Tier II (AA) Youth and one A Youth team in each classification: U14, U12 and U10. An association shall be permitted a second AA and/or A team only if it forms and rosters a minimum of four (4) drafted B teams at the same classification. **Gradual phase-in (grandfather clause): The limitation on AA or A Youth team shall begin in the 2015-16 season at the Squirt A (2006 birth year) level. In subsequent years, later birth years (younger classifications) shall be similarly limited. This rule will be fully implemented in the 2020-21 season. The rule shall not apply to 2005 and older birth year teams. Effective Date of Rule: September 1, 2015 (for the 2015-16 season) Reason For Change: There has been a recent trend towards associations adding second, and in some cases third, Travel (A/AA) teams at each birth year classification. Additionally, there are now a number of “Travel only” associations at the U14, U12 and U10 classifications. The effect has been not only to reduce the number of House (B) teams within their associations, but to cannibalize from other, local associations. The net result has been that while historically the majority of players and teams were in the B category, this has now shifted such that AA/A teams now far outnumber B teams in many Districts. Among the negative consequences of this are that many associations now field only one B team in each classification, and as such there is an incentive to recruit and lock in registrations to fill one team, creating de-facto “select” teams at the B level. Additionally, as AA/A players tend to move between associations far more that B players, there is a loss of continuity and association volunteer support commensurate with the decrease in the number of B players. This proposal seeks to restore the appropriate balance between AA/A and B teams, increase volunteer (parent) stability within associations fielding B teams, and decrease the occurrence recruitment of players to form single B teams. PROCEDURE FOR M.A.H.A. RULES CHANGES: Submitted by: Lawrence Winkelman 1. Submit to District Director District Director: 2. District Reviews and Forwards to MAHA Rules Committee 3. Directors move to forward or reject at MAHA Winter Meeting Rules Committee Action: 4. Proposal Voted On at the MAHA Summer Meeting MAHA Directors Action: ALL RULES CHANGE PROPOSALS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE RULES COMMITTEE BY DEC. 15 IN ELECTRONIC FORMAT (via e-mail or on a disk)


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SUBJECT: Sponsorship of Related Teams X MAHA USA CHANGE X NEW RULE RULE NO. I. E. PAGE NO. 20 Current Rule Reads: Revise As Follows: E. Any association or club that fields Tier 1 hockey teams may not sponsor or allow team(s) in any

other association or affiliate to in any way give the appearance or act as though they are part of the Tier 1 organization except under the follow circumstances. 1. Sponsored teams must be at the 12U age classification or above. 2. The association/team being sponsored must have full financial control and management of

the sponsored team(s) 3. The sponsored team must wear their own association colors, but may wear a traditional

sponsor patch or plaque on their jersey Effective Date of Rule: July 13, 2014 Reason For Change: Eliminate the issues we are having with AAA organizations creating teams outside of their own organization. PROCEDURE FOR M.A.H.A. RULES CHANGES: Submitted by: George Atkinson 1. Submit to District Director District Director: 2. District Reviews and Forwards to MAHA Rules Committee 3. Directors move to forward or reject at MAHA Winter Meeting Rules Committee Action: 4. Proposal Voted On at the MAHA Summer Meeting MAHA Directors Action: ALL RULES CHANGE PROPOSALS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE RULES COMMITTEE BY DEC. 15 IN ELECTRONIC FORMAT (via e-mail or on a disk)


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SUBJECT: Not allowing ‘extra’ players / siblings on a rostered team’s ice X MAHA USA CHANGE X NEW RULE RULE NO. II, A PAGE NO. 20 Current Rule Reads: Revise As Follows: II. A. 1. Only players and coaches currently on a team’s roster are allowed on the ice skated by a MAHA / USA Hockey team. Effective Date of Rule: July 13, 2014 Reason For Change: As a hockey parent / retired board member and volunteer for many years with lots of hockey players, I think it’s wrong to allow extra players (extra kids or siblings) on the ice during a team’s practice. Parents pay good money for hockey and want their kids moving at all times, not standing in the corner as the sibling of a teammate is taking their turn in a drill they are learning. Plus, a lot of the time it’s the coach’s kids, that aren’t on the team roster, who are the ‘extras’ and the coaches spend time yelling at them and not running practice for the rest of the team. We have lots of regulations for Student Coaches to participate. They must be on the roster to be on the ice helping the team, why wouldn’t we have everyone on the ice on that team’s roster? For years I was the Registrar for the Jackson Area Hockey Association and enforced the rule locally, ‘no extra players or siblings on the ice that aren’t on the roster’. It was always my understanding that was a written rule but I see now that it’s not. I think for insurance purposes and giving the paying customer as much ‘bang for their buck’ as possible, we should consider adopting this as a written rule. Thank you for your time and consideration: Sherry Pennewill

PROCEDURE FOR M.A.H.A. RULES CHANGES: Submitted by: Sherry Pennewill 1. Submit to District Director District Director: Tobin Boyd / Jim Klinesmith 2. District Reviews and Forwards to MAHA Rules Committee 3. Directors move to forward or reject at MAHA Winter Meeting Rules Committee Action: 4. Proposal Voted On at the MAHA Summer Meeting MAHA Directors Action: ALL RULES CHANGE PROPOSALS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE RULES COMMITTEE BY DEC. 15 IN ELECTRONIC FORMAT (via e-mail or on a disk)


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SUBJECT: Registration and Rostering: Participants and Teams MAHA USA CHANGE NEW RULE RULE NO. II. I. PAGE NO. 21 Current Rule Reads: A player is a resident of the District in which he/she resides. In cases of divorced parents, the player may be recognized to play as an “In District” player in either of the Districts in which the parents reside. Once the player chooses, the player will remain as an “In District” player, for that District only, for the balance of the regular season. Revise As Follows:

Every hockey player in the State of Michigan may choose between two (2) Hockey Associations in any MAHA District as to where to play amateur Recreational or Tier II travel hockey. If a player chooses to move to a second Association, he / she will have the option of returning to their original association. A Player's choice is defined below. Each player playing Recreational or Tier II Travel hockey is restricted to two Hockey Associations through the player’s 13 - 14 year in youth hockey (e.g. Bantam and the MAHA Board of Directors shall promulgate Rules to address the option of an additional choice for U16-U18.

The purpose of this rule is to support and advance the concept of community based hockey in the State of Michigan and to allow players to participate without being hindered by District boundaries.

1. For the 2015/ 2016 season, a player’s choice shall be defined as the Hockey Association

that the player registers with for the 2015/ 2016 fall season.

2. Players playing in the U16 and U18 level will be allowed One (1) additional choice in addition to their current choice Association. A player does not receive three new choices at the U16/ U18 level. If a player has had a 3rd choice approval from the MAHA before the player reaches their U16/ U18 level, the player will not receive an additional choice and must choose between the players current 2 choices and the players past association that was substituted.

3. Request for 3rd Choice

a. A Request for a choice substitution shall be provided to the Third Choice

Committee Chair in writing. The Chair will provide a link to the Form to be filled out on line;

b. That the predicament of the player is due to unique circumstances that were not

created by the player;

c. That the purpose in requesting the substitution is not based exclusively upon a desire to be rostered on a team that is perceived to be better;


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d. That the granting of the substitution furthers the goals, objectives and policies of USA Hockey and the Michigan Amateur Hockey Association;

e. That the granting of the substitution is not detrimental to amateur recreational or Tier II travel hockey or undermining the advancement of "community based principles";

f. If a player requests a substitution the player must give up a past choice; the choice that the players gives up then becomes the automatic 3rd choice at the U16 level;

g. "Financial Hardship" is not a basis for substitution. Further, it is not intended that every player must have two (2) viable options at any given time. The rule states two (2) Choices, not two (2) viable options.

h. No additional 3rd choice or substitution shall be given to any player in the U8 or the 9 &10-year old playing level without the approval of the MAHA Board of Directors or its designated representative. If the player and family move from the rink of the first choice which is within 10 mile of the home and the new residence is at a distance of 20 miles or more from the prior choice, they may petition the State Playoff Committee for a second choice. The two choices then become permanent until the player reaches the U16 level;

i. Players staying within their two Association choices can move back and forth between those two Associations;

j. Players that were rostered on a Tier I or High School team do not count as a Choice.

4. At the discretion of the Third Choice Committee, the substitute choice granted by the Third Choice Committee may be permanent or for a specific playing season.

Effective Date of Rule: May 1, 2015 Reason For Change: To foster and encougage Community based hockey PROCEDURE FOR M.A.H.A. RULES CHANGES: Submitted by: MAHA 2018 Task Force 1. Submit to District Director District Director: 2. District Reviews and Forwards to MAHA Rules Committee 3. Directors move to forward or reject at MAHA Winter Meeting Rules Committee Action: 4. Proposal Voted On at the MAHA Summer Meeting MAHA Directors Action: ALL RULES CHANGE PROPOSALS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE RULES COMMITTEE BY DEC. 15 IN ELECTRONIC FORMAT (via e-mail or on a disk)

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SUBJECT: Cap the Number of 2nd Year Players on Girls Tier 1 Teams MAHA USA CHANGE NEW RULE RULE NO. VI, L, 1, A, (11) PAGE NO. 26-27 Current Rule Reads: N/A Revise As Follows: (11) The number of 2nd Year players in a birth year cannot exceed 60% of the roster for Girls Tier 1 teams at the 12U, 14U, 16U, and 19U levels. Effective Date of Rule: July 13, 2014 2015 Reason For Change:

1. Promote the growth of girls hockey by creating better stability in Tier 2 associations. a. In the current structure in Michigan, the better Tier 1 clubs at the younger ages are often times

made up of a majority of 2nd year players. While many of those players have been with the original team, too often those 2nd year players come from weaker Tier 1 teams or strong Tier 2 teams. This inhibits the ability of those weaker Tier 1 teams or strong Tier 2 teams to then even field a team.

b. The result of a Tier 2 team losing several of its 2nd year players is oftentimes there is not a large enough core remaining to form a team with players moving up from the younger age group.

c. Many of the players who come from Tier 2 or weaker Tier 1 teams then get cut the following year from their new Tier 1 organization when they become 1st year players again. The yo-yo’ing between Tier 2 and Tier 1 indicates these players are not truly Tier 1 caliber.

2. Promote development within Tier 1 clubs by having a minimum number of first year players on the team. a. By having a minimum number of 1st year players on the roster, each Tier 1 club will have a core

of Tier 1 players to build around the following season. 3. Promote better competition in Michigan Tier 1 hockey by protecting weaker Tier 1 clubs from losing

their better 2nd year players to the better Tier 1 clubs. a. Having more competitive teams in Michigan gives more players the opportunity to maximize

their hockey development. 4. Create a more defined structure for what constitutes a Tier 1 player, a Tier 2 player, etc in girls

hockey in Michigan. a. Players who play on Tier 1 teams should make those teams because of skill level, their

commitment level to hockey, and their desire to play at the highest level possible. PROCEDURE FOR M.A.H.A. RULES CHANGES: Submitted by: Joe Jones 1. Submit to District Director District Director: Jim Boloven 2. District Reviews and Forwards to MAHA Rules Committee 3. Directors move to forward or reject at MAHA Winter Meeting Rules Committee Action: 4. Proposal Voted On at the MAHA Summer Meeting MAHA Directors Action: ALL RULES CHANGE PROPOSALS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE RULES COMMITTEE BY DEC. 15 IN ELECTRONIC FORMAT (via e-mail or on a disk)


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SUBJECT: AAA Program Requirements X MAHA USA X CHANGE NEW RULE RULE NO. VI. M. 1. PAGE NO. 28 Current Rule Reads: M. All youth teams (except Girl’s) will be assigned a Divisional Classification as listed below.

1. Tier I (AAA) Youth (except 10 & under and younger classifications)

Revise As Follows: M. All youth teams (except Girl’s) will be assigned a Divisional Classification as listed below.

1. Tier I (AAA) Youth (except 10 & under and younger classifications) The Tier 1 classification only applies to Youth 12U, 14U, 16U and 18U age classifications.

Renumber remaining bulets

Effective Date of Rule: July 13, 2014 Reason For Change: Make it clear which age classifications can participate at the Tier 1 level. PROCEDURE FOR M.A.H.A. RULES CHANGES: Submitted by: George Atkinson 1. Submit to District Director District Director: 2. District Reviews and Forwards to MAHA Rules Committee 3. Directors move to forward or reject at MAHA Winter Meeting Rules Committee Action: 4. Proposal Voted On at the MAHA Summer Meeting MAHA Directors Action: ALL RULES CHANGE PROPOSALS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE RULES COMMITTEE BY DEC. 15 IN ELECTRONIC FORMAT (via e-mail or on a disk)


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SUBJECT: AAA Program Requirements X MAHA USA X CHANGE NEW RULE RULE NO. VI. M. 1. PAGE NO. 28 Current Rule Reads: M. All youth teams (except Girl’s) will be assigned a Divisional Classification as listed below.

1. Tier I (AAA) Youth (except 10 & under and younger classifications)

Revise As Follows: M. All youth teams (except Girl’s) will be assigned a Divisional Classification as listed below.

1. Tier I (AAA) Youth (except 10 & under and younger classifications) The Tier 1 classification only applies to Youth 11U, 12U, 13U, 14U, 15U, 16U and 18U age classifications. a. Tier 1 teams are teams that participate within an in a Tier 1 MAHA/USA Hockey

sanctioned league that may involve participation with similar teams from Michigan and from across the country. Any teams that advertise as Tier 1, elite or similar designation for tryouts, to recruit, entice or in any way give the appearance of being a Tier 1 team shal be designated a Tier 1 team.

b. Each club/association is limited to one team at each age classification. MAHA will have no more than eight (8) such clubs/associations. The MAHA Executive Board will annually at the Winter Meeting declare the eight (8) clubs/associations for the upcoming post season and upcoming regular season. The MAHA Executive Board can approve additional teams based on extenuating circumstances as determined by the MAHA Executive Board.

Renumber remaining bulets

Effective Date of Rule: July 13, 2014 Reason For Change: Make it clear which age classifications can participate at the Tier 1 level. And define Tier 1. PROCEDURE FOR M.A.H.A. RULES CHANGES: Submitted by: George Atkinson 1. Submit to District Director District Director: 2. District Reviews and Forwards to MAHA Rules Committee 3. Directors move to forward or reject at MAHA Winter Meeting Rules Committee Action: 4. Proposal Voted On at the MAHA Summer Meeting MAHA Directors Action: ALL RULES CHANGE PROPOSALS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE RULES COMMITTEE BY DEC. 15 IN ELECTRONIC FORMAT (via e-mail or on a disk)


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SUBJECT: Division Classifications X MAHA USA X CHANGE NEW RULE RULE NO. VI. M. 1. PAGE NO. 28 Current Rule Reads: M. All Youth teams (except Girl’s) will be assigned Division Classivication as listed below. 1. Tier I (AAA) Youth (except 10 & under and younger classifications) Revise As Follows: M. All Youth teams (except Girl’s) will be assigned Division Classivication as listed below. 1. Tier I (AAA) Youth (except 9 & under and younger classifications) Effective Date of Rule: July 13, 2014 Reason For Change: One of the tenants of the ADM is for players of similar ability to be playing each other. At 9U this is not the case. Having 9U teams within a parent AAA organization gives them a competitive advantage against associations without AAA ties. This often times results in mis-matched teams in the state play offs. Associations have asked MAHA to re-instate AAA at the 9U level. Michigan is the only state that does not have AAA at the 9U level. USA Hockey has no age division classification on Tier I. USA Hockey does limit Tier I National Championships to 14 and older. This rule would allow tiering of players by ability so that we can have players of similar caliber playing each other- one of the tenants of the ADM. PROCEDURE FOR M.A.H.A. RULES CHANGES: Submitted by: Brian Beaufait; Detroit Little Caesars Hockey Club Mike Henry; Compuware Hockey John Kay; Belle Tire Hockey Club Bill Smith; Victory Honda AAA Hockey 1. Submit to District Director District Director: 2. District Reviews and Forwards to MAHA Rules Committee 3. Directors move to forward or reject at MAHA Winter Meeting Rules Committee Action: 4. Proposal Voted On at the MAHA Summer Meeting MAHA Directors Action: ALL RULES CHANGE PROPOSALS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE RULES COMMITTEE BY DEC. 15 IN ELECTRONIC FORMAT (via e-mail or on a disk)


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SUBJECT: AAA Program Requirements/Limitations X MAHA USA X CHANGE NEW RULE RULE NO. V. M. 1. PAGE NO. 28 Current Rule Reads: M. All youth teams (except Girl’s) will be assigned a Divisional Classification as listed below.

1. Tier I (AAA) Youth (except 10 & under and younger classifications) a. Any team which plays in a delcared Tier I league.

Revise As Follows:

a. Any team which plays in a declared Tier I league. Each club/association must have teams at all recognized AAA levels: 11U, 12U, 13U, 14U, 16U, 18U. Tier I clubs/associations without the full alignment of teams, will not be allowed to participate at the Tier I level. Each club/association is limited to one team at each age classification. MAHA will have no more than eight (8) such clubs/associations. The MAHA Executive Board will annually at the Winter Meeting declare the eight (8) clubs/associations for the upcoming post season and upcoming regular season. The MAHA Executive Board can approve additional teams based on extenuating circumstances as determined by the MAHA Executive Board.

Effective Date of Rule: 04/01/2015

Reason For Change: Assure that only clubs and associations field teams at the AAA level. The quality of play at the AAA level has become significantly diluted due to the number teams at the AAA level. We need to insure that the clubs/associations at this level have a significant commitment to the teams to make them competitively viable. For example; Illinois only allows four (4) AAA clubs for all of Illinois. The idea behind limiting AAA organizations is a pyramid effect. The top percentage of players, 10%, play AAA; then the next level play A or AA (40-50%); and the remaining 40-50% play House/ Rec. We are in the position today because there are no limitations on any of the levels of hockey. It is not uncommon if a player did not make a travel team his parent started one and so on; now if a player does not make a AAA team they start a new one. If we limit the amount of AAA teams it will drive players, based on talent, back to where they belong in AA/A programs and House/Rec. programs. PROCEDURE FOR M.A.H.A. RULES CHANGES: Submitted by: Bob DeSpirt 1. Submit to District Director District Director: 2. District Reviews and Forwards to MAHA Rules Committee 3. Directors move to forward or reject at MAHA Winter Meeting Rules Committee Action: 4. Proposal Voted On at the MAHA Summer Meeting MAHA Directors Action: ALL RULES CHANGE PROPOSALS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE RULES COMMITTEE BY DEC. 15 IN ELECTRONIC FORMAT (via e-mail or on a disk)


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SUBJECT: AAA Program Requirements X MAHA USA X CHANGE NEW RULE RULE NO. V. M. 1. PAGE NO. 28 Current Rule Reads: M. All youth teams (except Girl’s) will be assigned a Divisional Classification as listed below.

1. Tier I (AAA) Youth (except 10 & under and younger classifications) b. Any team which plays in a delcared Tier I league.

Revise As Follows:

b. Any team which plays in a declared Tier I league. Each Tier I club/association must have teams at all recognized AAA levels: 11U, 12U, 13U, 14U, 16U, 18U. Tier I clubs/associations without the full alignment of teams, will not be allowed to participate at the Tier I level. Each club/association is limited to one team at each age classification. There are no independent teams allowed.

Effective Date of Rule: 04/01/2015 Reason For Change: Assure that only clubs and associations field teams at the AAA level. The quality of play at the AAA level has become significantly diluted due to the number teams at the AAA level, we need to insure that the teams at this level have a significant commitment to the teams to make them competitively viable. For example; Illinois only allows four (4) AAA clubs for all of Illinois. PROCEDURE FOR M.A.H.A. RULES CHANGES: Submitted by: Bob DeSpirt 1. Submit to District Director District Director: 2. District Reviews and Forwards to MAHA Rules Committee 3. Directors move to forward or reject at MAHA Winter Meeting Rules Committee Action: 4. Proposal Voted On at the MAHA Summer Meeting MAHA Directors Action: ALL RULES CHANGE PROPOSALS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE RULES COMMITTEE BY DEC. 15 IN ELECTRONIC FORMAT (via e-mail or on a disk)


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SUBJECT: 50% rule added for Tier II travel X MAHA USA CHANGE X NEW RULE RULE NO. VI, M, 2, d. & VI, M, 3, f. PAGE NO. 28 Current Rule Reads: Revise As Follows: Any association Tier II (A or AA) travel team with a head coach, assistant coach or manager that formerly coached or managed in another association or Club shall not have more than 50% of its players who played on a team coached or managed by one or more of this individuals during the preceding regular or post season. Effective Date of Rule: July 2014 Reason For Change: To prevent associations from losing players to another association that will put together a low level travel team by recruiting players from another local association. This rule is in place at the youth B level it should be extended to Tier II travel also. PROCEDURE FOR M.A.H.A. RULES CHANGES: Submitted by: Jean Laxton 1. Submit to District Director District Director: 2. District Reviews and Forwards to MAHA Rules Committee 3. Directors move to forward or reject at MAHA Winter Meeting Rules Committee Action: 4. Proposal Voted On at the MAHA Summer Meeting MAHA Directors Action: ALL RULES CHANGE PROPOSALS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE RULES COMMITTEE BY DEC. 15 IN ELECTRONIC FORMAT (via e-mail or on a disk)


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SUBJECT: Out of District Restrictions X MAHA USA X CHANGE NEW RULE RULE NO. VI, M, 2. Tier II (AA) Youth PAGE NO. 28 Current Rule Reads: b. Has no more than three (3) players who reside outside the District in which the team is registered. In the Midget classicification teams will be allowed six (6) players who reside outside the district in which the team is registered. Revise As Follows: b. Has no more than three (3) players who reside outside the District in which the team is registered. In the Midget classicification teams will be allowed six (6) players who reside outside the district in which the team is registered. Effective Date of Rule: July 13, 2014 Reason For Change: We are long since past the time when we have more players in each district wanting to play than room available. This would allow parents to elect to play at the rink closest to their home and allow parents to select the programs they believe are providing the best programming. This will indirectly cause those programs with below par programming to strengthen their programming to remain competitive. PROCEDURE FOR M.A.H.A. RULES CHANGES: Submitted by: Bob DeSpirt 1. Submit to District Director District Director: 2. District Reviews and Forwards to MAHA Rules Committee 3. Directors move to forward or reject at MAHA Winter Meeting Rules Committee Action: 4. Proposal Voted On at the MAHA Summer Meeting MAHA Directors Action: ALL RULES CHANGE PROPOSALS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE RULES COMMITTEE BY DEC. 15 IN ELECTRONIC FORMAT (via e-mail or on a disk)


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SUBJECT: Out of District Restrictions X MAHA USA X CHANGE NEW RULE RULE NO. VI, M, 3. A Youth PAGE NO. 28 Current Rule Reads: c. Has no more than three (3) players who reside outside the District in which the team is registered. In the Midget classicification teams will be allowed six (6) players who reside outside the district in which the team is registered. Revise As Follows: c. Has no more than three (3) players who reside outside the District in which the team is registered. In the Midget classicification teams will be allowed six (6) players who reside outside the district in which the team is registered. Effective Date of Rule: July 13, 2014 Reason For Change: We are long since past the time when we have more players in each district wanting to play than room available. This would allow parents to elect to play at the rink closest to their home and allow parents to select the programs they believe are providing the best programming. This will indirectly cause those programs with below par programming to strengthen their programming to remain competitive. PROCEDURE FOR M.A.H.A. RULES CHANGES: Submitted by: Bob DeSpirt 1. Submit to District Director District Director: 2. District Reviews and Forwards to MAHA Rules Committee 3. Directors move to forward or reject at MAHA Winter Meeting Rules Committee Action: 4. Proposal Voted On at the MAHA Summer Meeting MAHA Directors Action: ALL RULES CHANGE PROPOSALS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE RULES COMMITTEE BY DEC. 15 IN ELECTRONIC FORMAT (via e-mail or on a disk)


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SUBJECT: Out of District Restrictions X MAHA USA X CHANGE NEW RULE RULE NO. VI, M,4. BB Youth PAGE NO. 28 Current Rule Reads: d. Has no more than six (6) players who reside outside the District in which the team is registered. Revise As Follows: d. Has no more than six (6) players who reside outside the District in which the team is registered. Effective Date of Rule: July 13, 2014 Reason For Change: We are long since past the time when we have more players in each district wanting to play than room available. This would allow parents to elect to play at the rink closest to their home and allow parents to select the programs they believe are providing the best programming. This will indirectly cause those programs with below par programming to strengthen their programming to remain competitive. PROCEDURE FOR M.A.H.A. RULES CHANGES: Submitted by: Bob DeSpirt 1. Submit to District Director District Director: 2. District Reviews and Forwards to MAHA Rules Committee 3. Directors move to forward or reject at MAHA Winter Meeting Rules Committee Action: 4. Proposal Voted On at the MAHA Summer Meeting MAHA Directors Action: ALL RULES CHANGE PROPOSALS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE RULES COMMITTEE BY DEC. 15 IN ELECTRONIC FORMAT (via e-mail or on a disk)


14 29

SUBJECT: Out of District Restrictions X MAHA USA X CHANGE NEW RULE RULE NO. VI, M, 5. B Youth PAGE NO. 29 Current Rule Reads: d. Has no more than three (3) players who reside outside the District in which the team is registered; except for the Midget 15/16 classification, which may have no more than six (6) players who reside outside the District in which the team is registered. Revise As Follows: d. Has no more than three (3) players who reside outside the District in which the team is registered; except for the Midget 15/16 classification, which may have no more than six (6) players who reside outside the District in which the team is registered. Effective Date of Rule: July 13, 2014 Reason For Change: We are long since past the time when we have more players in each district wanting to play than room available. This would allow parents to elect to play at the rink closest to their home and allow parents to select the programs they believe are providing the best programming. This will indirectly cause those programs with below par programming to strengthen their programming to remain competitive. PROCEDURE FOR M.A.H.A. RULES CHANGES: Submitted by: Bob DeSpirt 1. Submit to District Director District Director: 2. District Reviews and Forwards to MAHA Rules Committee 3. Directors move to forward or reject at MAHA Winter Meeting Rules Committee Action: 4. Proposal Voted On at the MAHA Summer Meeting MAHA Directors Action: ALL RULES CHANGE PROPOSALS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE RULES COMMITTEE BY DEC. 15 IN ELECTRONIC FORMAT (via e-mail or on a disk)


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SUBJECT: Out of District Restrictions X MAHA USA X CHANGE NEW RULE RULE NO. VI, M, 7. Youth – eight (8) & under only PAGE NO. 30 Current Rule Reads: d. Has no more than three (3) players who reside outside the District in which the team is registered. Revise As Follows: d. Has no more than three (3) players who reside outside the District in which the team is registered. Effective Date of Rule: July 13, 2014 Reason For Change: Align with Youth six (6) and under classification which also plays Red/White/Blue. We are long since past the time when we have more players in each district wanting to play than room available. This would allow parents to elect to play at the rink closest to their home and allow parents to select the programs they believe are providing the best programming. This will indirectly cause those programs with below par programming to strengthen their programming to remain competitive. PROCEDURE FOR M.A.H.A. RULES CHANGES: Submitted by: Bob DeSpirt 1. Submit to District Director District Director: 2. District Reviews and Forwards to MAHA Rules Committee 3. Directors move to forward or reject at MAHA Winter Meeting Rules Committee Action: 4. Proposal Voted On at the MAHA Summer Meeting MAHA Directors Action: ALL RULES CHANGE PROPOSALS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE RULES COMMITTEE BY DEC. 15 IN ELECTRONIC FORMAT (via e-mail or on a disk)


14 31

SUBJECT: Game Limits X MAHA USA X CHANGE NEW RULE RULE NO. VI. CHART PAGE NO. 31 Current Rule Reads: Game Count Limitations Summary: Division Maximum Games All Tier I (except Mites) 75 per season* All Tier II (except Mites) 75 per season* All "A" (except Mites) 75 per season* JV / High School 75 per season 18 & under "BB" 40 prior to February 1** 16 & under “B” 40 prior to February 1** 14 & under “B” 35 prior to February 1** 12 & under “B” 35 prior to February 1** 10 & under "B" 35 prior to February 1** All 8 & under 15 full ice per season All Girl’s (except House Rec.) 75 per season* All Girl’s House Rec. 40 prior to February 1** * excluding USA Hockey National Championship games ** excluding MAHA District Playoff games Revise As Follows: Game Count Limitations Summary: Division Maximum Games All Tier I Girls/Boys I (except Mites) 75 per season* All Tier II Girls/Boys (except Mites) 75 per season* All "A" Girls/Boys (except Mites) 75 per season* JV / High School 75 per season 18 & under "BB" Girls/Boys 40 prior to February 1** 16 & under “B” Girls/Boys 40 prior to February 1** 14 & under “B” Girls/Boys 35 prior to February 1** 12 & under “B” Girls/Boys 35 prior to February 1** 10 & under "B" Girls/Boys 35 prior to February 1** All 8 & under 15 full ice per season All Girl’s (except House Rec.) 75 per season* All Girl’s House Rec. 40 prior to February 1** * excluding USA Hockey National Championship games ** excluding MAHA District Playoff games Effective Date of Rule: July 13, 2014 Reason For Change: Similar game counts for both girl and boy teams of the same classification/level. USA Hockey does not allow full ice games for 8 & under. PROCEDURE FOR M.A.H.A. RULES CHANGES: Submitted by: Bob DeSpirt 1. Submit to District Director District Director: 2. District Reviews and Forwards to MAHA Rules Committee 3. Directors move to forward or reject at MAHA Winter Meeting Rules Committee Action: 4. Proposal Voted On at the MAHA Summer Meeting MAHA Directors Action:


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SUBJECT: State and District Rule Exemption X MAHA USA CHANGE X NEW RULE RULE NO. VI, P. PAGE NO. 30 Current Rule Reads: Revise As Follows: VI. P. Any Team of any Organization can option out of going to District and State Playoffs prior to October 1st. In this case a team will sign an exemption form stating that they will option out of Districts and State Playoffs and will also continue to follow the rules of the MAHA rule book of a legal team. This exemption will also allow teams to be recognized as following these rules and allow them to be eligible for house and tournament games. Effective Date of Rule: July 13, 2014 Reason For Change: We are proposing this rule addition to help smaller organizations and MAHA with the amount of paperwork that needs to be prepared and accepted to for an event that a team is not even interested in. This would eliminate a number of steps for a smaller organization, while still following the rules presented by MAHA and USA hockey. PROCEDURE FOR M.A.H.A. RULES CHANGES: Submitted by: James A. Primeau 1. Submit to District Director District Director: 2. District Reviews and Forwards to MAHA Rules Committee 3. Directors move to forward or reject at MAHA Winter Meeting Rules Committee Action: 4. Proposal Voted On at the MAHA Summer Meeting MAHA Directors Action: ALL RULES CHANGE PROPOSALS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE RULES COMMITTEE BY DEC. 15 IN ELECTRONIC FORMAT (via e-mail or on a disk)


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SUBJECT: Four hours between games rule. MAHA USA CHANGE NEW RULE RULE NO. VII. D. PAGE NO. 31 Current Rule Reads: VII. GAME REQUIREMENTS D. The number of games played by any player or team on one day shall not be more than two with a minimum of four hours between the finish of the first game and the start of the second. This rule will be waived if a team is competing in both League playoffs and District or State Playoffs on the same day. Teams competing with teams from District 7 and District 8 may have the four hour rule waived with the consent of each team’s District Chairperson due to travel distances. The maximum of two games in one day cannot be waived. Failure to comply with this rule may result in a recommended six month suspension of the head coach. Revise As Follows: VII. GAME REQUIREMENTS D. The number of games played by any player or team on one day shall not be more than two with a minimum of four hours between the finish of the first game and the start of the second. This rule will be waived if a team is competing in both League playoffs and District or State Playoffs on the same day. Teams competing with teams from District 7 and District 8 may have the four hour rule waived with the consent of each team’s District Chairperson due to travel distances. All teams, when competing against teams from outside of their own District, are exempt from this rule due to travel distances. The maximum of two games in one day cannot be waived. Failure to comply with this rule may result in a recommended six month suspension of the head coach. Effective Date of Rule: July 13, 2014 Reason For Change: This request is due to the Gladwin Area Hockey Association playing a number of teams in other districts to include very long travel times. In understanding the reasoning for the rule, and the rule change in District 7 and 8 it is reasonable that if we were to travel the distances teams have to in District 7 and 8 to play them that we would be in the same time position and weather conditions as they are home or away for these teams. We would ask for this rule to be waived in District 5 due to travel times, weather, and in the fact that the teams in the other district can get frustrated with having to change or cancel games for rules that do not apply to them. Further we understand the reasoning for these rules and would not jeopardize the kids safety in being unreasonable with how close the games are played, without having to seek permission and paperwork throughout the MAHA organization. PROCEDURE FOR M.A.H.A. RULES CHANGES: Submitted by: James A. Primeau 1. Submit to District Director District Director: 2. District Reviews and Forwards to MAHA Rules Committee 3. Directors move to forward or reject at MAHA Winter Meeting Rules Committee Action: 4. Proposal Voted On at the MAHA Summer Meeting MAHA Directors Action: ALL RULES CHANGE PROPOSALS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE RULES COMMITTEE BY DEC. 15 IN ELECTRONIC FORMAT (via e-mail or on a disk)


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SUBJECT: Four hours between games rule. MAHA USA CHANGE NEW RULE RULE NO. VII. D. PAGE NO. 31 Current Rule Reads: VII. GAME REQUIREMENTS D. The number of games played by any player or team on one day shall not be more than two with a minimum of four hours between the finish of the first game and the start of the second. This rule will be waived if a team is competing in both League playoffs and District or State Playoffs on the same day. Teams competing with teams from District 7 and District 8 may have the four hour rule waived with the consent of each team’s District Chairperson due to travel distances. The maximum of two games in one day cannot be waived. Failure to comply with this rule may result in a recommended six month suspension of the head coach. Revise As Follows: VII. GAME REQUIREMENTS D. The number of games played by any player or team on one day shall not be more than two with a minimum of four hours between the finish of the first game and the start of the second. This rule will be waived if a team is competing in both League playoffs and District or State Playoffs on the same day. Teams competing with teams from District 7 and District 8 may have the four hour rule waived with the consent of each team’s District Chairperson due to travel distances. Girls’ teams, when competing against teams from outside of their own District, are exempt from this rule due to travel distances. The maximum of two games in one day cannot be waived. Failure to comply with this rule may result in a recommended six month suspension of the head coach. Effective Date of Rule: July 13, 2014 Reason For Change: Request change due to the limited number of girls teams and the increased travel distances between girls teams. Playing one game in a day is not practical and four or more hours between games increases travel time to the point it is no longer practical. The way the rule is currently written is hindering the spread of girls’ hockey, rather than promoting and fostering the growth of girls’ hockey. PROCEDURE FOR M.A.H.A. RULES CHANGES: Submitted by: James A. Primeau 1. Submit to District Director District Director: 2. District Reviews and Forwards to MAHA Rules Committee 3. Directors move to forward or reject at MAHA Winter Meeting Rules Committee Action: 4. Proposal Voted On at the MAHA Summer Meeting MAHA Directors Action: ALL RULES CHANGE PROPOSALS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE RULES COMMITTEE BY DEC. 15 IN ELECTRONIC FORMAT (via e-mail or on a disk)


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SUBJECT: In House Reporting System X MAHA USA CHANGE X NEW RULE RULE NO. XIX S.T.A.R., E. PAGE NO. 42 Current Rule Reads: Revise As Follows: XIX, E. Reporting of incidents within an organization, shall be first reported to the local organization through their complaint system. If the incident is not resolved in a manner that is approved by the complainant then the, complainant has a right to appeal to the MAHA authority in charge of that district. Effective Date of Rule: July 13, 2014 Reason For Change: Organizations often have small issues that arise and are quickly sent to MAHA for review. These are incidents that would be fixed by the organization if they had notification of the incident before it was taken out of their hands as it was reported to MAHA. Often MAHA cannot see the issue from the organizations perspective as not seeing the underlying circumstances. The organization also does not get a chance to change their organization to better themselves without it being taken out of their hands. In a number of cases we have had incidents reported to MAHA and have had no idea what was going on in our own organization or what we could fix until MAHA intervenes often months later. Organizations often present themselves with guidebooks and bylaws that are not allowed to be enforceable once an issue is reported to the MAHA level. This is not meant to hide from MAHA, but give organizations the opportunity to fix problems that they might not even see happen, and was not brought to there attention. PROCEDURE FOR M.A.H.A. RULES CHANGES: Submitted by: James A. Primeau 1. Submit to District Director District Director: 2. District Reviews and Forwards to MAHA Rules Committee 3. Directors move to forward or reject at MAHA Winter Meeting Rules Committee Action: 4. Proposal Voted On at the MAHA Summer Meeting MAHA Directors Action: ALL RULES CHANGE PROPOSALS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE RULES COMMITTEE BY DEC. 15 IN ELECTRONIC FORMAT (via e-mail or on a disk)


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SUBJECT: DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS: Tampering X MAHA USA X CHANGE NEW RULE RULE NO. XVI, A, 6. PAGE NO. 39 Current Rule Reads: A. 6. No coach, manager, or other team official, connected with a rostered team may diretly or indirectly entice, infleunce or contact a player on a rostered team without the wirtten approval of the coach and/or manager of that team. Violation of this rule will result in a recommended suspension of not less than one year. Revise As Follows: A. 6. No coach, manager, or other team official, connected with a rostered team may diretly or indirectly entice, infleunce or contact a player on a rostered team without the wirtten approval of the coach and/or manager of that team. Violation of this rule will result in a recommended suspension of not less than one year. Effective Date of Rule: July 13, 2014 Reason For Change: Happens all the time and the rule is not enforceable for the most part. Why have a rule that in most cases turns into a he said/she said hearing leaving both parties unsatisfied. PROCEDURE FOR M.A.H.A. RULES CHANGES: Submitted by: Bob DeSpirt 1. Submit to District Director District Director: 2. District Reviews and Forwards to MAHA Rules Committee 3. Directors move to forward or reject at MAHA Winter Meeting Rules Committee Action: 4. Proposal Voted On at the MAHA Summer Meeting MAHA Directors Action: ALL RULES CHANGE PROPOSALS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE RULES COMMITTEE BY DEC. 15 IN ELECTRONIC FORMAT (via e-mail or on a disk)


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SUBJECT: No more Independent teams/ travel-only associations MAHA USA CHANGE NEW RULE RULE NO. I, B, 4, e. PAGE NO. 20 Current Rule Reads: none Revise As Follows: MAHA Affiliates (Associations) must have at least one house team to be allowed to field travel teams at that age level. (i.e. An Association must have at least one Squirt house team before they are allowed to field a Squirt A or AA team.) Independent teams will no longer be allowed without affiliation to an association with IP and house programs. GUIDEBOOK NOTE: Paragraphs I.C. & I.D. ARE AFFECTED BY THIS CHANGE. Effective Date of Rule: July 13, 2014 Reason For Change: The gluttony of travel teams that have diluted the true travel teams resulting in far fewer house teams than years ago. Many associations now have 2 or 3 travel teams at one birth year or have only travel teams and no house teams. Years ago, associations would have 2,3 or 4 house teams and one travel team, but now it seems the trend has reversed. House hockey is suffering because of too many travel teams. PROCEDURE FOR M.A.H.A. RULES CHANGES: Submitted by: Al Loebach, Dearborn Hockey Assoc 1. Submit to District Director District Director: 2. District Reviews and Forwards to MAHA Rules Committee 3. Directors move to forward or reject at MAHA Winter Meeting Rules Committee Action: 4. Proposal Voted On at the MAHA Summer Meeting MAHA Directors Action: ALL RULES CHANGE PROPOSALS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE RULES COMMITTEE BY DEC. 15 IN ELECTRONIC FORMAT (via e-mail or on a disk)


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SUBJECT: Tryout dates for Tier 2 travel teams MAHA USA CHANGE NEW RULE RULE NO. II, R. PAGE NO. 22 Current Rule Reads: none Revise As Follows: No tryouts for any Tier 2 travel team for the fall/winter season may be held prior to August 1st of that year. Teams violating this rule will not be granted a roster for fall season. Effective Date of Rule: July 13, 2014 Reason For Change: Tryouts have gotten earlier every year for the fall season, even beginning as early as late May for fall Tier 2 teams in 2013. This has caused a panic among parents to commit their player to a team in the spring for fear of not having a place to play come fall forcing them to pay for ice through the summer when kids should be allowed be free and just have fun. This also has taken away the chance for player work on their skills over the summer and improve for the fall. PROCEDURE FOR M.A.H.A. RULES CHANGES: Submitted by: Al Loebach, Dearborn Hockey Assc 1. Submit to District Director District Director: 2. District Reviews and Forwards to MAHA Rules Committee 3. Directors move to forward or reject at MAHA Winter Meeting Rules Committee Action: 4. Proposal Voted On at the MAHA Summer Meeting MAHA Directors Action: ALL RULES CHANGE PROPOSALS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE RULES COMMITTEE BY DEC. 15 IN ELECTRONIC FORMAT (via e-mail or on a disk)


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SUBJECT: 8U Cross-ice and Full-ice MAHA USA CHANGE NEW RULE RULE NO. VI. L. 7. PAGE NO. 30 Current Rule Reads: Youth – eight (8) & under only (does not include six (6) and under) a. As a best practice, it is recommended that all Associations incorporate the ADM practice curriculum and initiatives into their Mite Player Development practice program for all Mite Teams. b. Division Classifications Allowed (1) Mite A teams in this classification shall not have players who are in their last year of eligibility. (2) Mite AA teams in this classification shall have players who are in their last year of eligibility or younger. (3) Mite B is a team with players chosen on a draft basis. All draft rules pertaining to youth B teams apply with the exception of the sliding scale. c. No Independent teams may participate in this classification. d. Has no more than three (3) players who reside outside the District in which the team is registered. e. All games and scrimmages at the eight (8) and under age level shall be played either cross-ice or half-ice. No youth team which has a majority of youth eight (8) and under players may register or participate as a regular league member of another (higher) classification. g. Associations violating rules a. through f. may face action by their District Council to remove their Association’s good standing with MAHA. h. In Cross-Ice / Half-Ice games, MAHA encourages the use of referees as a training ground for young referees Revise As Follows: Youth – eight (8) & under only (does not include six (6) and under) a. As a best practice, it is recommended that all Associations incorporate the ADM practice curriculum and initiatives into their Mite Player Development practice program for all Mite Teams. Associations must field at least one cross-ice/half-ice team with a minimum of 12 rostered players throughout the season. Associations may also field full ice teams provided that the minimum 12 player rosters for the cross-ice/half-ice team is maintained throughout the season. b. Division Classifications Allowed (1) Mite A teams (full ice) in this classification shall not have players who are in their last year of eligibility. (2) Mite AA teams (full ice) in this classification shall have players who are in their last year of eligibility or younger. (3) Mite B (full ice) is a team with players chosen on a draft basis. All draft rules pertaining to youth B teams apply with the exception of the sliding scale. The players will be allowed to play full ice hockey provided that the players pass the minimum criteria during the player rating by the Association prior to the draft. (4) Mite C is a team of cross-ice players who have either chosen to play cross-ice hockey or have not met the criteria for Mite B players in (3). c. No Independent teams may participate in this classification. d. Has no more than three (3) players who reside outside the District in which the team is registered. e. All teams and players playing in eight (8) and under classifications are restricted to the following: (1) Eight and under Mite Full-Ice teams that play in sanctioned leagues shall be allowed to play a maximum of 40 Full-Ice games. Associations who conduct their own in-house program shall conduct it the same as what is required for leagues. (2) Teams that do not participate in a sanctioned league are limited to 20 Full-Ice games. (3) Cross-Ice / Half-Ice games do not count toward a team’s game count. (4) A maximum of Four (4) Full-Ice tournaments or invitational. (5) Maximum of two (2) full ice games per day, including tournaments and league play. There is no exception to the two (2) full ice games maximum per day. f. No youth team which has a majority of youth eight (8) and under players may register or participate as a regular league member of another (higher) classification. g. Associations violating rules a. through f. may face action by their District Council to remove their Association’s good standing with MAHA. h. In Cross-Ice / Half-Ice games, MAHA encourages the use of referees as a training ground for young referees i. Eight and under Spring Hockey leagues do not need to offer both Full-Ice and Cross-Ice scheduled games.


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Effective Date of Rule: July 13, 2014 Reason For Change: There is a place for both half-ice and full ice mite hockey and parents/players should be offered the chance to play either. By requiring associations to have a cross-ice team for developing players and setting some criteria to play full ice hockey, it gives players something to strive for as they learn and takes the pressure off of younger players who are ready to play full ice. Every kid wants to play the game they see on TV and parents should be given a choice. PROCEDURE FOR M.A.H.A. RULES CHANGES: Submitted by: Al Loebach, Dearborn Hockey Assc 1. Submit to District Director District Director: 2. District Reviews and Forwards to MAHA Rules Committee 3. Directors move to forward or reject at MAHA Winter Meeting Rules Committee Action: 4. Proposal Voted On at the MAHA Summer Meeting MAHA Directors Action: ALL RULES CHANGE PROPOSALS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE RULES COMMITTEE BY DEC. 15 IN ELECTRONIC FORMAT (via e-mail or on a disk)

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SUBJECT: Game Count Limitations X MAHA USA X CHANGE NEW RULE RULE NO. VI.M.5.j PAGE NO. 29 Current Rule Reads: VI.M.5.j- All teams and players in the Youth-Fourteen (14); twelve (12); and ten (10) or under classifications are restritcted to a maximum of 35 games before February 1st of the current season, not including District Playoffs. Revise As Follows: VI.M.5.j- All teams and players in the Youth-Fourteen (14); twelve (12); and ten (10) or under classifications are restritcted to a maximum of 35 games before February 1st of the current season, not including District Playoffs as deemed by each respective District Council. Effective Date of Rule: July 13, 2014 Reason For Change: The State Playoff Committee has ruled that District Play in Games are not included in the District tournament. Which by definition ARE District tournament games. With Associations beginning play in September, numerous teams are fast approaching 35 games prior to the Final District Tournament weekend. PROCEDURE FOR M.A.H.A. RULES CHANGES: Submitted by: Brian Bellgraph 1. Submit to District Director District Director: Brian Bellgraph- District 6 2. District Reviews and Forwards to MAHA Rules Committee 3. Directors move to forward or reject at MAHA Winter Meeting Rules Committee Action: 4. Proposal Voted On at the MAHA Summer Meeting MAHA Directors Action: ALL RULES CHANGE PROPOSALS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE RULES COMMITTEE BY DEC. 15 IN ELECTRONIC FORMAT (via e-mail or on a disk)


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SUBJECT: Game Count Limitations X MAHA USA X CHANGE NEW RULE RULE NO. VI.M.5.j PAGE NO. 29 Current Rule Reads: VI.M.5.j- All teams and players in the Youth-Fourteen (14); twelve (12); and ten (10) or under classifications are restritcted to a maximum of 35 games before February 1st of the current season, not including District Playoffs. Revise As Follows: VI.M.5.j- All teams and players in the Youth-Fourteen (14); twelve (12); and ten (10) or under classifications are restritcted to a maximum of 40 games before February 1st of the current season, not including District Playoffs. Effective Date of Rule: July 13, 2014 Reason For Change: The State Playoff Committee has ruled that District Play in Games are not included in the District tournament. Which by definition ARE District tournament games. With Associations beginning play in September, numerous teams are fast approaching 35 games prior to the Final District Tournament weekend. PROCEDURE FOR M.A.H.A. RULES CHANGES: Submitted by: Brian Bellgraph 1. Submit to District Director District Director: Brian Bellgraph- District 6 2. District Reviews and Forwards to MAHA Rules Committee 3. Directors move to forward or reject at MAHA Winter Meeting Rules Committee Action: 4. Proposal Voted On at the MAHA Summer Meeting MAHA Directors Action: ALL RULES CHANGE PROPOSALS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE RULES COMMITTEE BY DEC. 15 IN ELECTRONIC FORMAT (via e-mail or on a disk)


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SUBJECT: Age Classifications X MAHA USA X CHANGE NEW RULE RULE NO. XIV J. PAGE NO. 39 Current Rule Reads: Post Season players must play in the USA Hockey age classification they will be in for the next regular Winter hockey season. Revise As Follows: USA Hockey age classifications remain the same until the start of the next regular Winter season. Effective Date of Rule: September 1, 2014 Reason For Change: Historically there is little practice time between the end of the regular Winter hockey season and the Post Season. This affords players little opportunity to adjust to rules that change from one age classification to the next. This is particularly important for players when they graduate from Peewee B to Bantam B and full checking is introduced. Currently players who are moving up are thrust into games against players that are a year older and have “checked” for a year. The evidence is clear that the probability of sustaining an injury is significantly lower in practice than in a game. Practice is where full body checking should be taught. There is more opportunity to practice between the Post Season and the start of games for the regular Winter season, than there is between the regular Winter season and the Post Season. While the transition from body contact to full body checking is critical, the opportunity to use the extended time period between Post Season and the start of the regular Winter season games will benefit adaption to any and all rule changes. PROCEDURE FOR M.A.H.A. RULES CHANGES: Submitted by: Brian Bellgraph and Rob Palmer 1. Submit to District Director District Director: 2. District Reviews and Forwards to MAHA Rules Committee 3. Directors move to forward or reject at MAHA Winter Meeting Rules Committee Action: 4. Proposal Voted On at the MAHA Summer Meeting MAHA Directors Action: ALL RULES CHANGE PROPOSALS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE RULES COMMITTEE BY DEC. 15 IN ELECTRONIC FORMAT (via e-mail or on a disk)


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at the january, 2014 maha winter meeting, the...

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