1. Youth Player Transfers
USA Hockey
Youth Player Transfers

2. General Transfer Regulations
Why is a transfer needed?
Two Types of transfer regulations
USA Hockey/Hockey Canada Transfer Agreement
IIHF Transfer Regulations
All incoming transfers are to be submitted to USA Hockey and approved by the outgoing federation.
When a non-US citizen moves into the US, and wants to play for a USA Hockey member youth team, a transfer from their home federation or former federation is needed in order to play.
There are two types of transfer regulations, USA Hockey/Hockey Canada &
International Ice Hockey Federation transfer regulations
All incoming transfers are to be submitted to USA Hockey, and approved by the outgoing federation, before a player is allowed to play.

3. USA Hockey Guidelines for Non-U.S. Citizens
There is a limit of Non U.S. citizens who hold student visa’s to be on national tournament bound rosters
Players need transfers regardless of whether they have played in their home federation
Players must be residing in the USA and hold a specific type of visa
USA Hockey Guidelines for Non-U.S. Citizens
Imports on a national tournament bound roster is limited to 4 with student visas for boys and girls are limited to 2.
Non-U.S. citizens need transfers regardless of whether they have ever played in there home federation.
In order to process a player transfer, players must be residing in the US and hold a specific type of visa, the list of these visa types is on each transfer form, as well as in our annual guide on pages 123 and 124. As most of you know, one of the types of visa’s we accept for transfers, is a permanent residency card. There is much confusion surrounding this type of residency document, so to clarify, a permanent residency card does not change a players citizenship, the player still holds citizenship in the country which is listed on the card.

4. Canadian Transfers
If player is moving to U.S. without parents, must hold student visa
If player is 16 and under moving to the U.S. without a parent they need an appeal
Canadian player that played for Hockey Canada team the season before needs release
For a players who hold native status, a transfer must be processed and copy of his or her native card is to be submitted with the transfer
Now on to Canadian player transfers
If player is moving to U.S. without parents, they must hold student visa or permanent residency card.
If player is 16 & under, moving to the U.S. without a parent, they need an approved appeal from Hockey Canada.
A Canadian player that played for Hockey Canada team the season prior, needs a release from their previous team.
For players who hold native status, a transfer must be processed, and copy of his or her native card is to be submitted with the transfer form. Because players that hold native status are able to cross the border freely, transfers need to be completed, and releases received if the last team they played for was a Hockey Canada team. We can, however process an unlimited transfer for a native player, and make a note in his record that he holds native status so that you will not be required to do so each season.

5. This is a copy of the transfer form for Canadian youth players.
As you will see, the list of required residency documents USA Hockey approves of, is listed toward the top as well as contact information for Hockey Canada in case an appeal needs filed for a player. The middle section needs to be filled out completely! If the player did not play for any team the previous season, please write N/A in that space. Where it states 15/16 club, if this is a Canadian team, a release must be provided with the form. For the transfer duration at the bottom of the form, Canadian citizens who hold a permanent resident card, can request an unlimited transfer, which is approved for a players entire youth hockey participation with USA Hockey. Canadian citizens who hold other resident documentation, must process a limited transfer, only good for that one season.

6. International Transfers
If a player is moving to the U.S. without parents they need to hold a student visa or permanent residency card
There are two types of youth transfers depending on players age
The outgoing federation has up to 7 days to approve international transfers
International Transfers
As with the Canadian transfer, if player is moving to U.S. without parents, they must hold a student visa or permanent residency card.
There are two types of youth international transfers forms, the LOA or Letter of Approval, is for players under 18, and the ITC or International Transfer card, is for players above 18. Residency requirements apply to both of these.
Once the transfer form and residency documents are received by the USAH national office, the transfer form is signed and sent to the outgoing federation for approval. Per IIHF regulations, outgoing federations have at least 7 days to return the transfer approved, please keep this timeline in mind when submitting transfer forms.

7. This is the first page of the letter of approval transfer form, for youth international players under the age of 18.
As you will see, again listed on this form is the acceptable residency documents as well as directions and other information on youth international transfers.

8. This is the actual under 18 letter of approval transfer form
This is the actual under 18 letter of approval transfer form. Again, please fill out the middle section completely as it will delay the processing of the transfer if it is not. Where it says old national association please write the name of the federation the player played in last, or if the player has never played, please put the country in which the player holds citizenship in that space. Where it says last club, list the club the player last played for, if this is the players first time playing, put N/A in that space. For transfer duration; international transfers can be processed to, equal the duration of the stay for which the player’s resident documentation is valid in the USA. If a player holds a permanent residency card (green card) an unlimited transfer can be processed. Please have player, parent or guardian actual signature on the form, digital signatures are not acceptable by the IIHF. The bottom part of the form is for federation approvals only.

9. This is the international transfer form, or ITC card form for youth players 18 and over. Per IIHF regulations, when an international player turns 18, an International Transfer Card must be processed, instead of letter of approval. There is a $500 transfer fee for this type of transfer as USA Hockey has to purchase these cards from the IIHF, and incur approval fees as well. The top part of this form needs filled out, as well as the payment section at the bottom. Please do not forget to get an actual player signature, not digital. The same rules apply as far as residency requirements, the list of acceptable residency documents is on this form also.

10. Helpful Hints Send in transfers in a timely manner
Submit all paperwork needed with the transfer form
Send in all transfers to the
Check the registry for approved transfers
Youth transfer forms are now on the USA Hockey website
Here are some helpful hints to share as we start to wrap up this presentation
We are already processing transfers for the 16/17 season. Sending in transfers early helps to ensure a player will be able to participate in all games. Keep in mind, the turn around time for transfers is approximately 7 business days.
Please make sure to submit all paperwork needed when submitting transfer forms, this will make the process more efficient for everyone involved.
Please use the for sending in all forms
Check the registry for approved transfers. There are times the call volume is extremely high in our department and it will be very difficult to reach anyone to ask about a transfer being approved. If you always check the registry before you call to get your questions answered, this will be very helpful!!
Youth transfer forms are now on our website under players and parents, youth & girls, click on youth transfer forms and this will take you to the page. There are also FAQ’s and other information on this webpage.
Thank you for allowing me to present to you at the meeting today. A copy of this presentation will be ed to each of the district registrars to distribute.