frequently asked

questions

Are there divisions? Will I play each team a certain number of times?

  • 3 Divisions: North (125 teams), South (96 teams), Central (252 teams) 
  • We will provide an unbalanced schedule to maximize competition while also reducing driving distance as much as possible
  • Season schedules will consist of divisional and cross-divisional league games selected to optimize travel distance and competitive level

Are AHF full season members eligible for Districts and USA Hockey Nationals?

The AAHA has an obligation to provide a pathway to participate in District Tournaments and competition leading to Nationals for all sanctioned Tier II organizations and teams irrespective if those teams participate in an Affiliate sanctioned league or not. Tier II National Bound divisions will qualify through a District Tournament event for which the format shall be determined by the Affiliate President and District Tournament Committee, as per Affiliate Rules - This does not apply to AHF organizations in the South Division who would be eligible for Districts and Nationals via the PVAHA District qualification process.

Who runs the AHF? Who can I go to if I have questions?

  • The AHF has a full-time paid staff of five employees solely dedicated to AHF operations 
  • The AHF also features a Board of Directors with representation from teams in all regions of the league

What is a showcase only/guest team? Where are they from?

  • These are teams from organizations that do not play league games in the AHF. These teams join our showcases for exposure to new competition
  • Showcase Guest Teams will come from all over the country

Does the AHF host playoffs?

  • Yes. Our league playoffs will be hosted at various home AHF team rinks
  • Dates will be published well in advance 
  • Due to the unbalanced schedule, playoffs will be based on the Krach system 

How will the AHF continue to add value and improve the league?

  • We plan to regularly engage with our Hockey Directors, Team Managers, Players and Parents to better understand what they like and dislike
  • We have created a Competition Committee comprised of a regionally diverse group of organizational leaders that interacts with all levels of the league in order to facilitate enhancements to league operations
  • Feedback from our members will help up create a roadmap for improvements on all aspects of our league 
  • Manager/Coaches Section on Website: Managers will have access to: AHF League Game Rules, Manager Contact Lists, Showcase Area Guides with restaurant and hotel information, AHF Handbook for Managers, Add/Drop Forms, Gamesheet information

How will this schedule be structured?

Increased League game count offers several benefits:

    • Reduces the need for exhibition games 
    • Limits travel and cost for our players and their families
  • Full-Season Clubs: AA 
    • 40 game schedule (28 League, 12 Showcase) for Squirt, PeeWee, Bantam, Midget 
    • 3 Showcases for all levels except half/split season Midget primary league, the CBHL
    • The North and Central Division clubs will be the full-season clubs with the exception of hybrid organizations. The full season clubs will not play in another league; the AHF will serve as their primary 
  • Full-Season Clubs: A&B 
    • 36 game schedule (28 League, 8 Showcase) for Squirt, PeeWee, Bantam, Midget 
    • 2 Showcases 
  • North & South Divisions- Half-Season Clubs: 
    • 16 game schedule (8 League, 8 Showcase)
    • 2 Showcases 
  • Central & North- Short Season Midget Teams: 
    • 24 game schedule (16 League, 8 Showcase) 
    • 2 Showcases 
  • Full-Ice Mites AAA Schedule Teams: 
    • 36 game schedule (24 League, 12 Showcase) 
    • 3 Showcases
  • Half-Ice Mite Teams: 
    • 24 game schedule (16 League, 8 Showcase) 
    • 2 Showcases 
  • Full-Ice Mites A&B Teams:
    • Many half-ice Mite teams will elect to play an additional 16 game full-ice schedule for a total of 40 games 
    • 16 game schedule comprise of 8 League & 8 Showcase games (2 Showcases)

Who will play full season and who will play half season?

  • The South division of the AHF will represent the half-season clubs and will largely remain in their primary league, the CBHL.
  • The North and Central Division clubs will be the full-season clubs with the exception of hybrid organizations. The full season clubs will not play in another league; the AHF will serve as their primary league. The North half season teams will remain in the NJYHL. Some North AA teams will play full season AHF schedules while their A&B clubs play half season.

Late Spring Parity Tournament

The parity tournament will be held in the weekend of April 30th 

  • The parity tournament will be held at multiple locations with a regional focus
  • Team attendance is mandatory - The tournament will feature three 30 minute games, which will be used to develop seeding in the fall 
  • The data gathered from the game results are invaluable to creating the most competitive scheduling matrix for all members of our league 
  • There will be a small player fee collected when players register in the spring

What are AHF Showcases?

  • A series of 4 league games over a 3 day period 
  • Showcases are weekend events that provide an opportunity for league members to play a more geographically diverse schedule with the goal of reducing travel and cost for all members

Does the AHF provide all star games and skills competitions?

Yes, there will be a midseason all star game and skills competition for each age level. All players will be eligible to participate.

Are there cross divisional games?

Yes. Team league schedules will consist of divisional and cross divisional league games selected to optimize travel distance and competition level.

Why are there showcase only teams?

We invite guest showcase teams to increase the diversity of competition.

Are teams required to attend the showcases?

Yes. Showcase games are part of your league schedule and standings and therefore all showcases are mandatory.

Do games vs showcase only/guest teams count toward season standings?

Yes. Every league and showcase game will count in the standings.

When and where are the showcases?

  • Showcase dates and locations will be published by May 1st
  • The first showcase will likely be either the weekend before Labor Day or Labor Day weekend 
  • All showcases are hosted at various home AHF team rinks