MAHA allows more 18U out-of-districts after HS season starts

 A pilot program at the Midget 18U level was the only substantial new rule that came out of the Michigan Amateur Hockey Association Annual Summer Meetings, held July 12-15 in Mt. Pleasant.

The program addresses the situation of some Midget teams, which have had falling participation numbers for years. And the rule that allows only six out-of-district players for each team has made it difficult – and sometimes – impossible to field teams.

The pilot program will allow 18U teams to have an unlimited number of out-of-district players only after High Schools teams have completed their tryouts and made their final cuts. Many times players who have signed up and are playing for Midget teams also try out for their high school teams. If they make the high school teams, they quit the Midget teams, leaving them short.

And some players are left with no team if they aren’t rostered on a Midget team and also fail to make their high school team.

“It (the pilot program) keeps the six out-of-district players the same at the start of the season,” said MAHA President George Atkinson. “But once high school seasons start and they make their cuts, if there’s anybody with no place to play, they can join (an 18U team) as an out-of-district player.”