Restrictions on a High School player moving between High school team and Junior A team in the same season

[sturdy22 28]

I am the Head Coach of a Varsity Program in Alaska. I found out last night after a game that my Capt. (leading scorer) will be playing over the holiday weekend with the local Junior A team and then will return to the team/school for practice on monday. I am having trouble believing that this is ok. Especially since the player, his family and the Junior A coach kept this a secret from myself and the coaching staff.

Can Anyone shed some light on this?

[quasi 0]

I've had no luck finding the NFHS hockey rule book, but I'm pretty sure that once a high school player plays for a junior team, he is ineligible.

I know that a two years ago, the pre/post team (all high school players, though technically not a high school team) from Columbus was disqualified from the national tournament because two of the players played a few junior b games. I'd imagine it's the same for a high school team.

[sturdy22 28]

That was our feeling on it. the fact that it was kept so quiet and I only learned about this on accident makes it look even worse.

[pat19 0]

i know players who have left juniors after the high school started and played high school, this year i left juniors for high school but i left before HS started. i don't think there's any rules against it, at least in MA, unless you miss any high school games or practices because of it.

[sturdy22 28]

I don't have a problem with him leaving to play at a higher level. or if he started with the Junior team and returned to high school hockey. the problem i see is him going back and forth between the two teams,playing games for both in the same week in the same season. possibly becoming ineligible himself or hurting the entire teams eligibility.

[LkptTiger 1]

It might vary from state-to-state. Can't do it here in NY - luckily, my school didn't have a team, so it wasn't much of a concern for me.

[Zamboni 6]

Doesn't he need a release/waiver from you sturdy22 before even skating in practise with the JR team? He's signed/rostered to your team?

Also, find out about his eligibilty....if he can't return and you play him its coach suspended in Canada....1 year!

[TCsnipes9 0]

NAHL and USHL teams offer "pre and post" games to kids in high school here in MN. However, I have no idea what happens if games are during the season.

[oggy_3 0]

i know a buddy of mine was playing Junior A in moncton and still went to skool where he originally lived and if he hadnt quit the team on tuesday night home games we was just going to play with the high school. also i know midget aaa players/ high school players play junoir A all the time without a fuss but i think if it conflicts with there original team the coach can say no, but ive never seen a coach stop a player from playing a higher level game compared to their original team. So where i am from you'd be fine but things could be different in Alaska

[sturdy22 28]

Yeah, i don't want to stop him from playing at the higher level i just want to protect the team from any sanctions.

[biff44 0]

"i know players who have left juniors after the high school started and played high school, this year i left juniors for high school but i left before HS started. i don't think there's any rules against it, at least in MA, unless you miss any high school games or practices because of it."

I agree. The ruling in Mass. is that you have to do every HS practice and every HS game as a #1 priority. After that, you can play any games in junior that you want. As long as he is not missing any formal practices during that junior game, you should be ok.

[Chadd 916]

You need to check on the rules for your league, every league is different.

[ctaz 0]

I agree with Chadd, your best bet is to contact your league and ask them what the rule is concerning the situation. This way you can make the best decision for your team based on having the proper information to make the call.

[slaw 1]

In Ontario the provincial standard is different from the local standard. I played some Jr.A last year and would have been eligible for provincial championship competition as the OFSAA date was Dec1 but the District rules stated that the day the district season starts, if I'm on a Jr game sheet im ineligible. The Moral of my balad: check with all organizations that govern your league.

[chippa13 1844]

MIAA rules governing Massachusetts state that a player can play games outside of the high school team as long as participation does not cause them to miss high school practices or games.