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I know that the MN Hockey rules forbid it, but I am wondering if there any way possible that “B” Teams can play “A” Teams?

I remember this being a common occurrence in my youth. I know some very good ”B” Teams would love to test the waters against some “A” level competition!!

The Bone wrote:I know that the MN Hockey rules forbid it, but I am wondering if there any way possible that “B” Teams can play “A” Teams?

I remember this being a common occurrence in my youth. I know some very good ”B” Teams would love to test the waters against some “A” level competition!!

I personally couldn't see anything wrong with it. AND what happens if say the Alexandria bantam b's happened to show up for match against the A TEAM from fergus falls???? what of it??? is there really a rule??? what is the penalty???
I know that in our association the peewee A team has a game scheduled against the bantam b team......this year....

The Bone wrote:very good ”B” Teams would love to test the waters against some “A” level competition!!

Then be an "A" team!!!!

The Bone wrote:I know that the MN Hockey rules forbid it, but I am wondering if there any way possible that “B” Teams can play “A” Teams?

I remember this being a common occurrence in my youth. I know some very good ”B” Teams would love to test the waters against some “A” level competition!!

Yes, B teams can play A teams.
The district director(s) needs to approve the game, in advance.

According to Minnesota Hockey, B teams cannot play A teams, unless there is a "special circumstance"..........I guess the Dist Director makes that determination:


Here is the MH rule:



D. Interlevel Play - There shall be no interlevel play (games or scrimmages) between divisions (i.e. Peewee vs. Bantam, 14U vs. 12U) or between classifications (A and B, B and C or A and C teams), with the exception of Youth 16&Under and Junior Gold "B". In special circumstances where interlevel play between classifications is appropriate, approval of the cognizant District Director(s) must be obtained. Interlevel play is not permitted in invitational tournaments or MH playoff tournaments, with the exception that Youth 16&Under teams may participate in Junior Gold "B" invitational tournaments. Teams violating this provision may be declared ineligible to compete in any MH sanctioned invitational tournaments and the MH district, regional and state tournaments for the current season, and, in case of flagrant violations, for such further period of time as the district director shall deem appropriate. House league and city recreational league teams must be registered as C teams if they intend to play other teams outside of their hockey community. District Directors may permit a B or C classification team from small cities or newly developed programs to play in a higher classification league if there is no comparable classification league available

muckandgrind wrote:According to Minnesota Hockey, B teams cannot play A teams, unless there is a "special circumstance"..........I guess the Dist Director makes that determination:


Here is the MH rule:



D. Interlevel Play - There shall be no interlevel play (games or scrimmages) between divisions (i.e. Peewee vs. Bantam, 14U vs. 12U) or between classifications (A and B, B and C or A and C teams), with the exception of Youth 16&Under and Junior Gold "B". In special circumstances where interlevel play between classifications is appropriate, approval of the cognizant District Director(s) must be obtained. Interlevel play is not permitted in invitational tournaments or MH playoff tournaments, with the exception that Youth 16&Under teams may participate in Junior Gold "B" invitational tournaments. Teams violating this provision may be declared ineligible to compete in any MH sanctioned invitational tournaments and the MH district, regional and state tournaments for the current season, and, in case of flagrant violations, for such further period of time as the district director shall deem appropriate. House league and city recreational league teams must be registered as C teams if they intend to play other teams outside of their hockey community. District Directors may permit a B or C classification team from small cities or newly developed programs to play in a higher classification league if there is no comparable classification league available

In district 16 and our neighbors (12 & 15) we have certain associations where it is appropriate for the B team to play an A team. A the girls level even more so.

Special circumstance?

elliott70 wrote:

muckandgrind wrote:According to Minnesota Hockey, B teams cannot play A teams, unless there is a "special circumstance"..........I guess the Dist Director makes that determination:


Here is the MH rule:



D. Interlevel Play - There shall be no interlevel play (games or scrimmages) between divisions (i.e. Peewee vs. Bantam, 14U vs. 12U) or between classifications (A and B, B and C or A and C teams), with the exception of Youth 16&Under and Junior Gold "B". In special circumstances where interlevel play between classifications is appropriate, approval of the cognizant District Director(s) must be obtained. Interlevel play is not permitted in invitational tournaments or MH playoff tournaments, with the exception that Youth 16&Under teams may participate in Junior Gold "B" invitational tournaments. Teams violating this provision may be declared ineligible to compete in any MH sanctioned invitational tournaments and the MH district, regional and state tournaments for the current season, and, in case of flagrant violations, for such further period of time as the district director shall deem appropriate. House league and city recreational league teams must be registered as C teams if they intend to play other teams outside of their hockey community. District Directors may permit a B or C classification team from small cities or newly developed programs to play in a higher classification league if there is no comparable classification league available

In district 16 and our neighbors (12 & 15) we have certain associations where it is appropriate for the B team to play an A team. A the girls level even more so.

This double edged sword again? DDs over rule several, if not many, MH rules (squirt game cap?). This works great in Elliot's district, because he is knowledgable, and considers all parties in the equation - also because you have to drive a thousand miles between towns. It does not work so great in districts directed by imbeciles that make decisions based on very little, if any, hockey knowledge where decisions are made which benefits a small group (or belive it or not, benefits nobody).

InigoMontoya wrote:

elliott70 wrote:

muckandgrind wrote:According to Minnesota Hockey, B teams cannot play A teams, unless there is a "special circumstance"..........I guess the Dist Director makes that determination:


Here is the MH rule:



D. Interlevel Play - There shall be no interlevel play (games or scrimmages) between divisions (i.e. Peewee vs. Bantam, 14U vs. 12U) or between classifications (A and B, B and C or A and C teams), with the exception of Youth 16&Under and Junior Gold "B". In special circumstances where interlevel play between classifications is appropriate, approval of the cognizant District Director(s) must be obtained. Interlevel play is not permitted in invitational tournaments or MH playoff tournaments, with the exception that Youth 16&Under teams may participate in Junior Gold "B" invitational tournaments. Teams violating this provision may be declared ineligible to compete in any MH sanctioned invitational tournaments and the MH district, regional and state tournaments for the current season, and, in case of flagrant violations, for such further period of time as the district director shall deem appropriate. House league and city recreational league teams must be registered as C teams if they intend to play other teams outside of their hockey community. District Directors may permit a B or C classification team from small cities or newly developed programs to play in a higher classification league if there is no comparable classification league available

In district 16 and our neighbors (12 & 15) we have certain associations where it is appropriate for the B team to play an A team. A the girls level even more so.

This double edged sword again? DDs over rule several, if not many, MH rules (squirt game cap?). This works great in Elliot's district, because he is knowledgable, and considers all parties in the equation - also because you have to drive a thousand miles between towns. It does not work so great in districts directed by imbeciles that make decisions based on very little, if any, hockey knowledge where decisions are made which benefits a small group (or belive it or not, benefits nobody).

There's also the control factor in the twin cities metro area...in remote areas from Duluth to Grand Rapids up to Roseau there is more latitude towards allowing many different communitities with various sized programs the ability to compete amougst their neighbors. Creativity that allows this competition is a good thing....there are MN hock rules and there is reality.

black sheep wrote:

The Bone wrote:very good ”B” Teams would love to test the waters against some “A” level competition!!

Then be an "A" team!!!!

I Agree with the Sheep 100%!!! Why are you wanting to play “A”? Because your Association doesn’t have the Guts to Field Multiple A Teams (Other than Rochester!!!!!) And now you with your 10-12 PW team are killing the Competition during the League at the “B” levels and you’re scared that you’re not developing enough playing weaker competition, which you might not get the State Title at A\B1\B2\C across the board.
Stay at your level and deal with it!!!

MNHawker wrote:

black sheep wrote:

The Bone wrote:very good ”B” Teams would love to test the waters against some “A” level competition!!

Then be an "A" team!!!!

I Agree with the Sheep 100%!!! Why are you wanting to play “A”? Because your Association doesn’t have the Guts to Field Multiple A Teams (Other than Rochester!!!!!) And now you with your 10-12 PW team are killing the Competition during the League at the “B” levels and you’re scared that you’re not developing enough playing weaker competition, which you might not get the State Title at A\B1\B2\C across the board.
Stay at your level and deal with it!!!

Let's key in on your main point towards this discussion..."playing weaker competition"...if a "B" team has the ability to compete at the youth level with a "A" team, how does that directly affect a hockey program towards player development? If a "C" team can compete with a "A" team would this also be considered unexceptable towards competition?? It's not a matter of "guts"...let the kids play at their level of competition and not what is being administered as to where they should play....IMHO

Ugottobekiddingme wrote:let the kids play

if it were ever only that easy.......