The following letter was sent from NYSAHA to all organizations. There is important information regarding team placement for next season. Please read and be patient. More information will be forthcoming shortly. I look forward to resuming hockey operations and having a successful season. I hope everyone has made the most of their time at home.
May 19, 2020
To all NYSAHA Association Presidents:
This letter is to update you regarding the signing of players for the 2020-2021 season, and the status of sanctioned NYSAHA and USA Hockey activities events in New York State. Based on governmental directives from the State and from local government authorities, NYSAHA has adopted the below Schedule.
We note that this Schedule largely follows NYSAHA’s Rules and Regulations, and Policies and Forms that are provided in the NYSAHA Annual Guide 2019-2020 (available at www.NYSAHA.com). However, we have modified them for the 2020-2021 season only due to COVID-19 crisis and to comply with the Emergency Orders and Declarations, and public health requirements, of the State of New York and local government authorities.
This Schedule is subject to the following conditions:
1. No Cuts. Any player signed to a player contract with an Association pursuant to this Schedule CANNOT be cut to make room for any player signed thereafter.
2. Refund Period. If a player/family who has signed a contract for the 2020-2021 season needs to withdraw due to financial hardship or COVID-19 concerns, they will be permitted to do so by August 15, 2020 whether or not a deposit was placed. They will receive a full refund from the Association of any monies paid to date, with the exception of the cost of jerseys or equipment that was purchased for the specific player. Players who are Released under these conditions WILL NOT BE PERMITTED to play for any other National or State Tournament Bound team or other travel team, and will only be allowed to play in house league hockey for the 2020-2021 season.
3. This Schedule DOES NOT provide permission to Associations to hold on-ice tryouts or other events such as clinics or on-ice or off-ice activities, which may only be held on in compliance with the directives of the State of New York and applicable local government authorities regarding the COVID-19 State of Emergency declared by New York State.
4. NYSAHA will continue to address events as they evolve. NYSAHA will notify the membership of when tryouts and other sanctioned events may be scheduled, subject to such activities being permitted by the State of New York and applicable local government authorities.
NYSAHA SCHEDULE
May 20 - - Player Releases
Association Presidents will be sent a request from their Section President for a list (the “Obligation List”) of those players (including required player contact information) who for the 2020-2021 season would not at this time receive a Release due to a financial or equipment obligation owed to their prior Association for the 2019-2020 season pursuant to NYSAHA Rule 4, Player Movement. Players not specified on the list will be granted a one-time automatic Release from the NYSAHA Board for the purposes of implementing this Schedule for the 2020-2021 season.
May 24 - - Obligation List Due
The date by which the Obligation List is due from Associations, and must be received by the Association’s Section President, is May 24 by 5:00 p.m. Those players included on the Obligation List must be notified by the Association of their inclusion on the List by this date using the Association’s best contact information for that player, preferably using the most up-to-date email address for the player. The names of the players included on the Obligation Lists that are timely submitted to the Section Presidents will be posted on the NYSAHA website on or about May 25.
If a player is not included by an Association on its Obligation List the omission does not invalidate any financial or equipment obligation, but simply results in a Release being deemed granted that player pursuant to Rule 4.A and B for purposes of the commencement of the 2020-2021 season. The provisions of Bylaw 8.4(c)(vii) [Procedures Applicable to Financial Disputes and Participant Ineligibility] may apply with respect to the obligation.
If a player is included by an Association on the Obligation List and disputes the inclusion, the player may apply to the respective Section President pursuant to Rule 4.D for a Release.
May 30 - - Releases Deemed Granted
All players not included on an Obligation List received by the Section President as required above, are deemed by NYSAHA to be Released pursuant to Rule 4.A and B for purposes of the commencement of the 2020-2021 season. If a player on the Obligation List satisfies the obligation with the Association, the Association must immediately notify the Section President of the player’s removal from the List, upon which the player will immediately be deemed Released by NYSAHA.
June 1 to 10 - - Tier I and Tier II National Tournament Bound Teams, and Tier III State Tournament Bound Teams
Beginning on June 1, 2020 at 9:00 a.m., and through June 10, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. (ten consecutive days), with respect to the following Associations’ teams of players: Tier I Youth and Girls 14U, 15O, 16U, 18U and 19U; Tier II Youth and Girls 14U, 16U, 18U and 19U; and Tier III Youth 14U, 16U and 18U; and with respect to which the Association may sign players for said teams to player contracts (applicable to both a returning player and a player from another Association) for the 2020-2021 season, unless that player is included on the Obligation List posted on the NYSAHA website.
June 11 to 30 - - All Associations
Beginning on June 11, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. and continuing to June 30, 2020 at 5:00 p.m., all Associations, including but not limited to all Tier I, Tier II and Tier III Youth and Girls, 8U, 10U and 12U teams, whether Tournament Bound or not, may sign players to player contracts (applicable to both a returning player and a player from another Association) for the 2020-2021 season, unless that player is included on the Obligation List posted on the NYSAHA website.
July 1 - - Roster Frozen
All rosters will be frozen as of July 1, 2020, until such time that on-ice tryouts can be held in compliance with New York State and local government authorities at which time any remaining roster spots may be filled.
