What is US Junior Hockey?

Junior Hockey is the pinnacle of the skill development program of USA Hockey. It is available to male athletes who are 20 and under as of the 31st day or December during the season of competition. The program is available to high school students and graduates who seek a greater or different challenge than that which might be available through their prep school team, high school varsity or club team or area midget teams. The principal purpose of this development program is to prepare the athlete for career advancement either in a collegiate program or a professional opportunity.

What are the classifications?

There are three tiers in USA Hockey, Tier I, Tier II and Tier III.  All Tier I teams are classified as Junior A.  All Tier II teams are also classified Junior A.  Tier III teams are classified either Junior “A,” Junior “B,” or Junior “C.” Junior “A” - All teams, in order to be classified as Junior “A” must compete in a league which is certified by USA Hockey for competition at the Tier I, II or III, Junior “A” level. Junior “A” leagues and teams provide a competitive opportunity for the elite player in this age group on a nationwide basis. Their role in the development of the players, coaches and officials involved is clearly defined. Standards for the operation of the league and teams are rigidly enforced and require that the teams competing in these leagues play a minimum of 45 regular season league games in order to qualify to retain this status.

The United States Hockey League (USHL) is Tier I, Junior A.  The North American Hockey League (NAHL) is Tier II, Junior A and the Atlantic Junior Hockey League (AtJHL), Central States Hockey League (CSHL), Eastern Junior Hockey League (EJHL), Minnesota Junior Hockey League (MnJHL), Northern Pacific Junior Hockey League (NPJHL), and Western States Hockey League (WSHL) are Tier III, Junior A.  All of the other United States leagues in USA Hockey are Tier III, Junior B and Tier III Junior C.

What is the purpose?

The purpose of Junior Hockey is really twofold:

Opportunity - To provide an opportunity for players in this age group to play organized hockey

Development - To improve and develop the skills and abilities of the participants, including the players, coaches and officials.

Because of its nationwide scope, a player, in order to play Junior “A” Hockey, is often required to move to and reside in the community where the Junior “A” program is located. For this reason, many players opt to compete in their local Junior “B” or “C” program.

What are the goals?

The goals of Junior Hockey as a USA Hockey program are as follows:

Skill Development - to provide talented young men with the opportunity to develop competitively in an organized, structured and supervised environment;

Quality Coaching - to provide considerable training time, quality coaching and concerned supervision;

Social Maturity - to provide players with a healthy, constructive environment in which to develop socially;

Educational Advancement - to provide assistance and opportunities for the accomplishment of the participant’s educational goals;

Recruiting Exposure - to provide players with exposure to collegiate and professional scouts and recruiters;

Advanced Competition - to provide players with exposure to National and International competition;