The written player transfer requirement applies to all Youth and Girls'/Women's participants regardless of competitive level. This process must be completed annually, even if the individual did not participate in their home federation.
Players who hold a Permanent Resident Card may apply for an unlimited transfer.
A player may be registered in only one (1) national ice hockey federation.
Players who are citizens of another country and residing with a parent shall be considered eligible if the parent(s) holds one of the following legal documents: Alien Registration Receipt Card or Permanent Resident Card. The player shall also be considered eligible if the parent(s) holds one of the following non-immigrant temporary visas: A. Government Official; E. Treaty Trader or Investor; G. Representative to International Organization; H. Temporary Worker; I. Foreign Information Media Representative; J. Exchange Alien; L. Intra-Company Transferee; M. Non-Academic Student; O. Aliens of Extraordinary Ability; P. Athletes and Entertainers; Q. Cultural Exchange; R. Religious Workers; and TN. Professional.
Players who are citizens of another country and are in the U.S. without a parent, the player must hold an Alien Registration Receipt Card or Permanent Resident Card or an F. Academic Student classification visa or J. Exchange Alien visa.
All girls’ national championship-bound teams are restricted to only two players that are non-U.S. citizens temporarily residing in the U.S. under any combination of the following immigration visa categories: F. Academic Students; J. Exchange Alien Visa; P. Athletes and Entertainers [excluding their spouses and children under visa category P-4]; Category M. Non-Academic Student and Q. International Cultural Exchange Program participants. This restriction does not apply to non-U.S. citizens temporarily residing in the U.S. under category P-4, referenced above, or other visa categories not referenced above, excluding category B. Temporary Visitor.
Any team with a player on its roster who is a non-U.S. citizen should make immediate contact with its respective district registrar to review credentials and determine the player’s eligibility. All players must provide the following documentation:
(1) Release
A release from the player’s home team/association authorizing the player to compete for the USA Hockey member team; and
(2) IIHF/Canadian Transfer
A youth written transfer form must be completed for all non-citizen players (male and female) under 18 years of age. An IIHF/Canadian transfer form must be completed for all non-citizen female players ages 18 and over classifications.
In addition, a person who is a citizen of another country and resides in the United States under political asylum, or a claim therefore, refusing to return to his/her home country for a bona-fide, non-hockey related reason, shall be eligible for competition in the USA Hockey domestic program after he/she has continuously resided in this country for a period of one (1) year, with one or more of his/her parents, and further, shall have secured the release and IIHF transfer required above. Copies of all forms necessary to complete this transfer shall be provided by the national office to the team, league and council involved.
Refer to the USA Hockey Annual Guide, Rules and Regulations, II. Classifications, C. Youth/Girls/Women. If you have any questions regarding a player's eligibility or their documentation, contact your Associate Registrar immediately.
Please contact your local association registrar for the appropriate transfer form.
