St. Paul, MN – September 28, 2021 – The Minnesota Hockey Board of Directors has instituted multiple rule changes for the upcoming 2021-2022 season. Minnesota Hockey enacted rules to instill limits on uniform alterations, the confidentiality of player communications and clarify associations’ right to refuse membership. Minnesota Hockey also approved an exception to USA Hockey’s new playing rule on minor penalty length for the Bantam/15U classifications.

Uniform Alterations: Uniforms shall not contain any statement, logo, advertisement, or alteration other than information, names, logos, or sponsor information approved by Minnesota Hockey or the applicable affiliate. There shall be no political statements, advertisement for political candidates or legislative laws on any Minnesota Hockey affiliated Youth or Girls uniform.

Player Confidentiality: Affiliates, coaches and team officials shall treat personal information regarding a player as confidential and disclose such information only to those with a need to know and as necessary to conduct the team, or as required by law.

Right to Refuse Membership: Minnesota Hockey affiliated associations will now have the right to refuse membership under certain conditions. The three requirements for refusal are: 1) There must be equivalent programs offered within Minnesota Hockey in which a member can participate elsewhere. 2) The association must provide the party with a hearing as outlined in Minnesota Hockey Bylaw 6 and USA Hockey Bylaw 10. 3) The association refusing membership must agree to a discretionary waiver if the player is accepted for registration with another association.

Minor Penalty Length Exception: As a part of its playing rules changes, USA Hockey provided all affiliates with the discretion to provide an exception for the Bantam/Girls 15U and higher classifications to its new pro-rated rules for the length of minor penalties. The Minnesota Hockey Board of Directors unanimously approved the exception so all minor penalties at the Bantam/Girls 15U levels and up shall be two minutes in length, regardless of period length.

The Minnesota Hockey Handbook, including all youth rules and regulations, can be found here. Each season Minnesota Hockey highlights changes from the previous season in grey within its handbook.