1. AGE CHANGE ISSUE 2016-2017 SEASON Presented to Superior Amateur Hockey Association Board of Directors Prepared by 2015-2016 Development Committee

2. USA HOCKEY AGE CHANGE January 2001 USA Hockey voted to follow International Age Guidelines beginning in 2002-2003. May 2001- WAHA voted to follow USAH Minnesota elected to not follow USAH SAHA is currently following MN Guideline

3. AGE ISSUE AND STRUCTURE 2016- 2017 USA HOCKEY – BIRTH YEARS Bantams 2002/2003 Peewee 2004/2005 Squirts 2006/2007 Mites 2008/2009 Result- Some kids 6 months younger than Minnesota MN HOCKEY Bantam 7/1/2001-6/30/2003 Peewee 7/1/2003-6/30/2005 Squirts 7/1/2005-6/30/2007 Mites 7/1/2007-6/30/2009 Result- Some kids 6 months older than WAHA

4. USA HOCKEY AGES PROS WAHA State Tournament Play downs/Opportunity Conforms to USAH and WAHA, putting SAHA 100% Compliant Potentially extended and more meaningful seasons CONS Potentially not as competitive with DAHA Leagues (some kids 6 months younger) Separates grade levels/classmates May increase travel/expenses for playoffs and state tournament travel Some 9 th graders not Bantam eligible

5. MINNESOTA HOCKEY AGES PROS Aligns with DAHA leagues, Minnesota Invitational Tournaments Play with classmates All 9 th graders Bantam eligible Preserve good transition to High School CONS No opportunity to play down or attend WAHA State Tournament Early End to season for peewee and bantam levels who do not compete in DAHA or WAHA play downs

6. NON-ISSUES Insurance- USA Hockey will continue to insure hockey either way League Play- DAHA will allow SAHA to stay in District 11 league either way Coaches- All SAHA coaches are expected to follow ADM and SAHA Policies

7. THE NUMBERS If SAHA were to adopt the USAH age guidelines for 2016-2017 Season 4 Bantams would move to Jr Gold or High School 13 Peewees would move to Bantams 7 Squirts would move to Peewees 9 Mites would move to Squirts 13 Mini Mites would move to Mites THIS RESULTS IN 17% OF THE POTENTIAL MEMBERSHIP BEING AFFECTED.

8. Other Considerations Under USAH age SAHA teams may play off against each other for state berth Hudson’s change in 2011 Non Parent Coach Feedback Jason Kalin, Ernie Harker opinions Potential increases or decreases in membership

9. OPTIONS CONSIDERED No Change, stay with Minnesota age guidelines Play USAH age guidelines, remain in DAHA league “Grandfather” concept (change begins with a certain level)

10. Development Committee Recommendation The SAHA Development Committee recommends that the USAH/WAHA age structure be adopted immediately at all playing levels for the 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19 seasons. The SAHA Development Committee will be responsible for bringing an analysis and recommendation to the SAHA Board of Directors following the 2018-19 season. The Development Committee recommends that the SAHA Board does not vote the age structure issue again until after the 2018-19 season ends. The SAHA Development Committee insists that all SAHA teams from Squirt/10U Girls and above continue to play in DAHA/District 11 leagues and encourages all teams to continue to attend invitational tournaments in Minnesota. The Development Committee recommends that if at any time WAHA changes to, or closer to Minnesota Hockey Age Structure SAHA will comply immediately. The Development Committee insists that SAHA teams eligible for State play downs may not “opt out” or “forfeit” play downs, per WAHA Guidebook page 48 paragraph 9. The SAHA Development Committee recommends that the USAH/WAHA age structure be adopted immediately at all playing levels for the 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19 seasons. The SAHA Development Committee will be responsible for bringing an analysis and recommendation to the SAHA Board of Directors following the 2018-19 season. The Development Committee recommends that the SAHA Board does not vote the age structure issue again until after the 2018-19 season ends. The SAHA Development Committee insists that all SAHA teams from Squirt/10U Girls and above continue to play in DAHA/District 11 leagues and encourages all teams to continue to attend invitational tournaments in Minnesota. The Development Committee recommends that if at any time WAHA changes to, or closer to Minnesota Hockey Age Structure SAHA will comply immediately. The Development Committee insists that SAHA teams eligible for State play downs may not “opt out” or “forfeit” play downs, per WAHA Guidebook page 48 paragraph 9.