Tier I hockey in Minnesota was established in 2015 and included teams at the Youth 16U and 18U and Girls 16U and 19U classifications. Those classifications will continue to be administered by Minnesota Hockey, while operations of the Leagues are overseen by affiliated Leagues including the Girls Midwest Elite League (Girls 16U & 19U), the Upper Midwest High School Elite League (Youth 18U).

In 2016, Minnesota Hockey and the CCM Minnesota Hockey High Performance programs finalized a framework for Tier 1 hockey at the 15 and 14 & Under classifications for Youth and Girls. In keeping with the Tier 1 framework established at the 19U, 18U and 16U levels, all Tier 1 competition in Minnesota will take place in the fall and conclude in time to allow for players to return to their association or high school teams.  

In 2018, Minnesota Hockey assumed operations of the Youth Tier I 16U classification and adopted the same framework of the 14U and 15 Youth Leagues for the age group. This allows players the opportunity who have played in the Tier I Leagues as 14 and 15 year olds to have continuity and largely play with many of their same teammates from previous seasons. 

Further details regarding registration, tryout dates and competition weekends for each classification are available at the links below.

Want to learn more about Tier I hockey in Minnesota? Click here for answers to frequently asked questions. 

Follow the links below for league information, tryout dates and to register.