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Invitational Tournaments

Definition of a Tournament:

Ice hockey competition, other than normally scheduled league or exhibition games, where three or more legally registered teams compete within a specified time frame for the purpose of declaring a champion.  This shall include gatherings consisting of more than three (3) teams, except Association Exchanges (limited to two (2) Associations), even though there are no winners declared.

All invitational ice hockey tournaments that involved USA Hockey registered teams and/or another amateur hockey federation or association must receive the sanction of the appropriate registrar for the district where the tournament will be held.

The conditions for sanctioning of an ice hockey tournament are as follows:

  1. Written application on the official USA Hockey Invitational Tournament Application form must be submitted to the appropriate registrar where the tournament will be held
  2. The appropriate registrar, with the approval of the applicant’s affiliate association, may issue a sanction where no exceptions to USA Hockey rules and regulations are involved.
  3. Applications must be accompanied by a copy of the full rules, regulations, and the complete procedures of the tournament.  Where a tournament desires to use exceptions to the rules and regulations of USA Hockey, such exceptions must be approved, in advance, by the appropriate registrar and the host affiliate association.
  4. Only USA Hockey registered referees may officiate tournament games, unless specifically approved otherwise.
  5. Only USA Hockey paying rules and age divisions may be used in tournament play, unless specifically approved otherwise.

The sanction fees listed below for invitational tournaments must be complied with:

  • USA Hockey sanction fee $250.00 per tournament (check made payable to USA Hockey)
  • For tournaments within the State of Florida, an Affiliate fee of $100.00 is required. (Separate check made payable to SAHOF)

Invitational tournaments shall be prohibited from being held with 100 miles, and on the same weekend as a USA Hockey District or National Championship.

The Tournament Director, as identified on the Invitational Tournament Application, is required to verify that all participating teams are properly registered with USA Hockey. A USA Hockey player roster (form 1-T) approved by the District or Associate Registrar shall be proof of proper registration and individual player age. Travel permits are required for all Non-USA Hockey teams, and any team from an Affiliate requiring Travel Permits.

Additional information may be found in the USA Hockey Annual Guide, Rules and Regulations, VIII. Games, Exhibition games, Invitational Tournaments and Sanctioned Leagues and Sanctioned Events.

To sanction your tournament, please mail your Invitational Tournament Application, tournament rules and the appropriate fees to the District Registrar listed below. Be advised the packet should be received by the District Registrar three (3) weeks prior to the start of the tournament. (Also, be advised, submission of a tournament application does not guarantee sanction approval of the event.)

David Polk
Southeastern District Registrar
P.O. Box 15158
Surfside Beach, SC 29587

For questions regarding this policy, you may also contact
David at dpolk17@gmail.com or (404) 444-0755.