How did NDAHA decide to add Team north dakota tier 1 & tier 2?
Prior to the 2015 season, North Dakota as a state had seen "Before and/or After" teams run privately/with NDAHA approval at the Tier 2 level. A decision was made by the NDAHA Player Development Committee to administer and operate Tier 1 Hockey in North Dakota. After initial success at the Tier 1 level, Tier 2 teams were added to the Programming.
North Dakota Amateur Hockey would make sure that the system was:
North Dakota Amateur Hockey would make sure that the system was:
- Open to all eligible residents of North Dakota.
- Did not directly compete with North Dakota's in-season community based hockey model at the Youth and High School Levels.
- Designated only for the levels that are eligible for USA Hockey National Championships.
Who is eligible to play for Team north dakota?
Any North Dakota resident/NDAHA affiliate player that fall within the age guidelines, and play their in-season community based hockey at the youth level or high school level in North Dakota, with Exceptions:
- Players that live in North Dakota, but attend school and play for a Minnesota community based youth or high school program based on a Co-Op.
---Sacred Heart School in East Grand Forks having a Co-Op with Crookston High School.
---Park Christian School in Moorhead having a Girls HS Co-Op with Moorhead High School. - Players that live and attend school in North Dakota, but play for a Minnesota community based youth or high school program.
---Girls live and attend school in the Mayville Area and play HS hockey for their Co-Op in Crookston.
---Players that live and attend school in Wahpeton, but play for the BW Blades, a MN affiliate.
Are there other tier 1 programs in north dakota?
Team North Dakota is the only Tier 1 program recognized by NDAHA and USA Hockey in the state of North Dakota. Team North Dakota is governed by NDAHA and USA Hockey, and follows the rules set out by the USA Hockey Annual Guide.
is team north dakota sanctioned by usa hockey?
Yes. Team North Dakota is a fully USA Sanctioned program and is run under the NDAHA Player Development Program. All contests the program participates in are fully sanctioned events, and all team staff are fully approved by USA Hockey with all credentials/qualifications vetted out and approved by USAH. This includes Safesport Training, Coaching Education Program Certification, Background Checks, USA Hockey registered, and USAH Level Specific Modules Completed.
How are Age Classifications Determined? Are they different than the NDAHA Age Classfications?
All Tier 1 and Tier 2 teams are run by USA Hockey's birth year classifications. All players in that specific birth year (or years), are eligible. Players are NEVER allowed to play "down". Players may play "UP", for instance a 15O eligible player is also eligible to play 16U on the Youth Side.
What does it mean "national Tournament eligible"?
To be "National Tournament Eligible", teams must participate in at least 20 games for a youth team, and 14 games for a girls team. Assuming all game sheets are accepted, at that point with credentials approved, teams are "National Tournament Eligible". NDAHA's goal each year is that teams are "National Tournament Eligible", and work to play the minimum number of games.
How does a team qualify for Nationals?
This varies by age and classification, but the Northern Plains District is automatically given 1 spot at each USAH Tier 1 National Championship at the Youth and Girls Level. A district playoff is held in the spring (if more than one Tier 1 team declares) to determine what team from the Northern Plains District will represent NP District at Nationals. At the Tier 2 Youth Level, Team ND is guaranteed a spot at Nationals at each Tier 2 level is declares for. At the Girls Tier 2 level, the NP District currently receives 2 bids at each National Tournament Level, and a playoff is held to determine which 2 teams will represent NP District.
In some cases, a team that does not win the district playoff may be invited to the National Tournament as an "at-large" bid.
As of July 1, 2024, the following information represents which levels are automatic bid, and which are playoff bid. Currently, the only other Youth Tier 1 Affiliate in the NP District is the Sioux Falls Power out of SD. There are no other Girls Tier 1 programs in the NP District.
Youth Tier 1
13O-Spring District Playoff (if declared).
14U-Spring District Playoff (if declared).
15O-Spring District Playoff (if declared).
16U-Spring District Playoff (if declared).
18U-Spring District Playoff (if declared).
Girls Tier 1
14U-No District Playoff (Automatic Bid if Declared).
16U-No District Playoff (Automatic Bid if Declared).
19U-No District Playoff (Automatic Bid if Declared).
Youth Tier 2
14U-No District Playoff (Automatic Bid if Declared).
16U-No District Playoff (Automatic Bid if Declared).
18U-No District Playoff (Automatic Bid if Declared).
Girls Tier 2
14U-Fall District Playoff (If more than 2 States Declare).
16U-Fall District Playoff (If more than 2 States Declare).
19U-Fall District Playoff (If more than 2 States Declare).
In some cases, a team that does not win the district playoff may be invited to the National Tournament as an "at-large" bid.
As of July 1, 2024, the following information represents which levels are automatic bid, and which are playoff bid. Currently, the only other Youth Tier 1 Affiliate in the NP District is the Sioux Falls Power out of SD. There are no other Girls Tier 1 programs in the NP District.
Youth Tier 1
13O-Spring District Playoff (if declared).
14U-Spring District Playoff (if declared).
15O-Spring District Playoff (if declared).
16U-Spring District Playoff (if declared).
18U-Spring District Playoff (if declared).
Girls Tier 1
14U-No District Playoff (Automatic Bid if Declared).
16U-No District Playoff (Automatic Bid if Declared).
19U-No District Playoff (Automatic Bid if Declared).
Youth Tier 2
14U-No District Playoff (Automatic Bid if Declared).
16U-No District Playoff (Automatic Bid if Declared).
18U-No District Playoff (Automatic Bid if Declared).
Girls Tier 2
14U-Fall District Playoff (If more than 2 States Declare).
16U-Fall District Playoff (If more than 2 States Declare).
19U-Fall District Playoff (If more than 2 States Declare).