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MAHA STATE TOURNAMENT COVID-19 CANCELATION POLICY

In the event that a MAHA State Tournament cannot take place, or it needs to be stopped once it has begun due to COVID-19, the MAHA STATE TOURNAMENT COVID-19 CANCELATION language will be in effect.

MAHA TSL State Tournament Biding Process

MAHA TREASURE STATE LEAGUE TOURNAMENT BIDDING PROCESS
1. Bidding Process
a) MAHA Tournament Application Forms must be completed and submitted to the MAHA Tournament
Committee Prior to deadline.

2. Selection Process
The Tournament Committee will consist of all MAHA Age Group Commissioners, the State
Commissioner, and the Tournament Director.
a) The Tournament Committee will review all applications.
b) If more than one Association qualifies to host the same tournament, the tournament committee will
include the following criteria in making a selection.
I. Is the Association in good standing with MAHA? (all fees paid)
II. Did the Association host a MAHA tournament last season?
III. Did the Association host *this age division tournament last season?
*Refers to the birth year(s) and not necessarily the age division
IV. The number of games to be played in host tourney location.
VI. Do host facility hours accommodate the tournament
VII. The Committee will try to spread tournaments throughout the state as much as possible.

3. Awarding Process
a) At the annual scheduling meeting the Tournament Director will present a summary report of all bids
received and the recommendations on awarding the tournaments.
b) The Board of Directors will discuss the recommendations at the annual meeting and open the floor
for discussion.
c) If the recommendations pass via vote they will be announced to all members and put into the
minutes as presented.
d) In the unfortunate circumstance that a final decision is not made at the annual meeting and the
recommendations do not pass; the Board of Directors will hold a meeting immediately after the annual
meeting to review the recommendations and member concerns. The decision at the end of this meeting
from the Board of Directors will be final at this time.

MAHA Play Up or Play Down

USA Hockey current rules do not permit for players to play down however they do allow for players to play up. The following is a guide to consider when determining if a player should play up or a play down exception maybe considered.

 

 

Playing Up

Hockey rules permit a player to ‘play up’, but players should not generally ‘play up’ more than one age classification.  For example, an 8 year old player may ‘play up’ one age group, so he/she could play for the “10 and under” team, if the coach and the association will allow it to occur. In some cases, based on the skill or size of a player, it may be desirable to utilize this option; in other cases, it may be best for the player to remain in the lower age group, even though the child or his/her parents want them to ‘play up.’ 

Nothing in USA Hockey’s rules requires an association to allow any player(s) to ‘play up.’ 

All such requests should be made in writing to the local association, by the parents or guardian, to help document any such requests and the parents/guardian’s desire to have it granted.  The written document can become important if the player becomes injured, as a result of the ‘play up’ request.  An impartial evaluation of the player’s skills {compared to others at the level requested} by a panel of neutral coaches, should be made before a decision is made on a ‘play up’ request. 

Refer to the Summary of Insurance Coverages for Members, FAQ.

Playing Down

Allowing players to play down is not a trivial matter. Considerations extend beyond the excepted player. There are other players on the ice and they also have a right to an expectation for fairness and safety. As in many life situations a separator must be established at some point. Exceptions to that separator create situations where one participant has an advantage over all other participants, creating an inequity that perpetuates unfairness.

MAHA will consider on a very limited basis requests to allow players to play down. These requests will be determined on a case by case basis. Requests to play down will be made to the MAHA TSL Commissioner, any appeal of the MAHA TSL Commissioners ruling will go to the MAHA President who’s ruling will the final ruling on the request.

  • If a play down request is to be approved all associations in the age classification where the over age player will be playing shall be contacted to inform them of the play down request. If any association objects to the overage player the request will be denied.

If a play down request is being made for medical reasons the following information shall be provided for consideration. USA Hockey’s current rules do not permit “playing down,” however, in an effort to accommodate disabilities and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), USA Hockey has shown its’ willingness to make some (though not all) accommodations, based on a physician’s medical evidence and their statement regarding the child’s safety and health. The doctor (M.D. or D.O.) must detail (in writing) the specific medical condition that causes the child to incur this medical necessity of “playing down.” Players who are granted permission to “play down” should be limited to participation in house and/or recreational leagues and are not eligible to compete in Invitational Tournaments or on a team bound for a National Championship.

 

  1. The player must have a debilitating medical condition that necessitates the need for exceptional consideration.
  2. The Parents/Guardians must request a waiver in writing to the MAHA TSL Commissioner Office, complete an A Typical Medical Condition Release form and attach the documents discussed below.
  3. An attending physician must identify in writing the medical condition necessitating the exception, the number of additional "on-ice aides," if necessary, to ensure the safety of all on ice members including the child and other players, and indicate a willingness to fully discuss the child's condition with myself or my designee.
  4. The Local Association must approve the parents' request in writing. The written approval will stipulate that the child will play in that association’s house/recreational program, the excepted team will not play outside the house/recreational program, the additional "on-ice aides" that the physician indicated were needed to ensure safety in his/her letter will be identified, the officials for all games will be USA Hockey certified, and the opposing team's coaching staff and on-ice officials will be aware of the excepted player's condition, who the "on-ice aides" are and any modified rules to ensure a safe experience for all participants.
  5. The MAHA TSL Commissioner will review the above documentation in addition to any other information deemed appropriate to decide the matter. A written response will be sent to the parents, local association and the appropriate Registrar.

 

NOTE 1: In-house and Recreational teams competing “in their local area” or against teams which are routinely scheduled to complete league play are not considered travel teams unless the league Commissioner or appropriate Affiliate declares those teams as travel competition.

NOTE 2: Simply being “small for their age” or “not very skilled” are not considered to be adequate reasons for granting a “play down exception, since they do not rise to the level of a disability under definitions and current court decisions concerning the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).