skip navigation

Play Up Policy

The CAHA Play Up Policy regulates requests for players to move up into the next age classification. Players may only play up under specific criteria as defined in CAHA Bylaws, Addendum E, 19.0 Play Up Policy.

Players who played in an older age classification in a previous season are not grandfathered in. Each player must meet the criteria each season of play up eligibility.

The CAHA Board of Directors supports USA Hockey's long term athlete development principles and position of a player being developed and playing within their appropriate age classification. CAHA also recognizes the fact that allowing a player to participate as a play up may be detrimental to the player's development.

“Participation” or “playing” shall be defined as all on-ice or off-ice hockey related activities within a Member Association or as part of a Member Association’s team, including but not limited to, tryouts, skill development sessions, practices, and/or games. Playing up or moving up to an older age classification team shall encompass all team activities with the older team, including but not limited to: tryouts, practices, and games.

CAHA will not accept or consider requests for waivers or exceptions to this Play Up Policy.





Videos

New Video Quantifies Cross-Ice Advantages

The NHL analytics team uses tracking technology to compare cross-ice to full-ice for 8U players

A cutting-edge NHL analytics team put the test to youth hockey for the first time ever, comparing cross-ice hockey to full-ice hockey. Watch this video and see what you think.

What is it like to play on full ice as a 8 year old?

To demonstrate how a full sheet of ice looks to a child, USA Hockey put adult players on an extra large rink with giant nets to simulate what a child sees. The players found the games tiring, difficult and said they would lose interest quickly in the sport if that was what they faced. See how adult players opened their eyes to what is being taught by the American Development Model of cross-ice hockey and small area games. Learn more at ADMKids.com.