U 15 Tier 1
Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2016 7:49 am
Note at the bottom of the Tentative Schedule: "There is currently no USA Hockey National Tournament for Girls Tier 1 15."zambonidriver wrote:http://www.minnesotahockey.org/page/sho ... -tier-i-15
As I discussed in the HP14 /HP15 thread on Wed, it will be interesting to see what happens to the top/elite 2001's this fall with 15U Tier 1 now in play.
Definition of a top/elite player would be one who made the USA U15 or U18 camps. Last fall, almost all the top/elite 2000's got invites to tryout/play in the Elite League. As we know, MNH granted them the right to form the 16U & 19U Tier 1 teams. There were 32 of these players (2000's) on 16U Tier 1 teams, which included the whole roster of 22 on the "Sky" team, and 10 more on the Royal team. All but 2 of these 32 made the USA camps.
With 15U Tier 1 starting this fall, will MNH force the top/elite 2001's to play 15U Tier 1? Or will they allow the Elite League to place them on 16U Tier 1 teams, as they did last year? IMO, I highly doubt MNH will force the elite 2001's to play 15U. Team Sky proved their worth by making the US National semi-finals, losing to the eventual champs, SSM.
I believe 15U Tier 1 will still be competitive and meaningful because a high percentage of the HP-15 girls will be playing in it. But I have a feeling it will not be as successful in the outstate area due to the extensive travel that's required each weekend.