Move-up Policy

It is the policy of the Irish Youth Hockey League (IYHL) that each registered player will play in his/her age group as set forth by USA Hockey rules. However, individual requests to play up shall be considered and are per approval by the IYHL President.

In general, the IYHL continues to strive for each individual to compete and develop both physically and mentally at the highest standard possible in the sport of ice hockey. The IYHL will consider “Playing Up” requests based on the best interests of BOTH the League and the individual player.

The term "Playing Up" or “Moving Up” refers to a player moving to a team with an older birth year cutoff.

Move up requests must be submitted in writing to the IYHL President at least two weeks prior to the beginning of the first evaluation or tryout, and based on the following criteria:

1. Rovers Play Up Request: Players must have played on the highest level team offered by the league at their age level the previous year. A player may only play up ONE designated birth year. Move up requests are granted based upon USA hockey recommendations, which state that underage player requests should consider the impact on both the players' actual birth year team, and the team which they are requesting to move to. The board, previous coaches, evaluators, and league employees are involved in this decision. Early move-ups to the 13U level will require special consideration as body contact is initiated at this age.
2. Full-Ice House/Select Play Up Request: Players requesting move up to an older Select team must have played on the top age-appropriate Select team the previous season to be considered (except those who have newly joined our league). Early move-ups to the 13U/14U Select level will require special consideration as body contact is initiated at this age. The player will also participate in the House League at the Age Level of the select team they make.
3. Full-Ice House Only Play Up Request: Players who request to move up a house age group, must have played at the highest age-appropriate division the previous season. (8U Red for 10U, 10U Green for 12U). Early move-ups to the 14U House level will require special consideration as body contact is initiated at this age. 8U Players requesting to move up are only considered for the 10U Green Division, unless they are hybrid goalie, in which players will be considered 10U White also.
4. 8U Play Up Request: Players requesting an 8U move-up must have completed 2 years at 6U or equivalent program from another leagues.

If a player’s request to move-up is permitted by the President, the player is REQUIRED to attend ALL tryouts/evaluations, NO EXCEPTION. Failure to do so, will nullify the move-up request.

If the player does NOT make the requested team or division, that player is then placed back in his/her original age group or where the IYHL Board deems his/her best fit. It is NOT necessary that the player attend the final team’s tryout if they participated in the tryout of the team requested to move up to.

If a player is permitted to play up, that commitment is for one season only.