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MN has the odd cutoff of July 1st when everyone (or almost) use the January 1st cutoff. Since all 98's are "technically" squirts until July 1st and there is no checking at the squirt level............

Now if the non MN hockey season tournament wants to play checking, they do not have to follow USA or MN rules and can choose how they run their tournament.

We played in Chicago in April and it was already considered minor Peewee's and they play full check.

The Subway is in June and is full check for 98's and older (as is most of Canada). They do allow "rub outs" and will play what most of us in MN will consider checking at 99's,2000's and maybe even 2001's.

The wings tournament 2 weeks ago was checking at the 98 level and up.

I think it's up to the tournament directors whether or not they will check at the '98 level. Most strong tournaments allow the checking so the kids get ready for PW's. Not 100% sure on this but it's what I've heard. Elliott could probably provide the MN Hockey position on this.

Are summer tournaments sanctioned by USAH or MNH? If not, I would think each tournament director would set up the rules of checking, tagging up, etc. based on how best to attract the teams they want at each level.

As hockeydad30 pointed out the Wings tourney was checking from 98 up and it went ok. I know for a fact that there are also teams with young 97s out their playing and they were also squirts last year, and they are doing fine with the checking. I say let them start checking 98 and up they will be in just a few months anyway and they are all in the same boat right now as far as they haven't really checked yet anyway, lets get them ready for pee wee hockey.

Thunderstruck wrote:As hockeydad30 pointed out the Wings tourney was checking from 98 up and it went ok. I know for a fact that there are also teams with young 97s out their playing and they were also squirts last year, and they are doing fine with the checking. I say let them start checking 98 and up they will be in just a few months anyway and they are all in the same boat right now as far as they haven't really checked yet anyway, lets get them ready for pee wee hockey.

Are you from T-Bay? Do you have any other tourneys after this weekend?

hockeydad30 wrote:

Thunderstruck wrote:As hockeydad30 pointed out the Wings tourney was checking from 98 up and it went ok. I know for a fact that there are also teams with young 97s out their playing and they were also squirts last year, and they are doing fine with the checking. I say let them start checking 98 and up they will be in just a few months anyway and they are all in the same boat right now as far as they haven't really checked yet anyway, lets get them ready for pee wee hockey.

Are you from T-Bay? Do you have any other tourneys after this weekend?

Not sure about Thunderstruck, but I am. No tourneys planned after this but we might go to Duluth for the Stars tourney if we can get in, and enough families commit.

Saw the 99 Machine... er Attack, play this weekend. First time observing one of the Machine teams and the ability was very impressive. Not the type of rigidness I would want for my kid, but they were very talented and interesting to watch.