Before and After is simply a term applied to teams who field Tier I teams prior to their high school season in the fall (Before) and re-start once the high school season ends in the Spring (After). For years, the Blades and Wings had fielded U16 and U18 prior to the season, but were never given After priveleges due to some language in MNH rules. 

With only Before priveleges teams never got a chance to play for a National Championship in late March. Next year, that has changed. Look for these three organizations to challenge Shattuck St. Mary's for a berth into the National Tournament. 

Terry Moore, the General Manager for the Minnesota Blades U16 Team told YHH Monday, "The Minnesota Blades are pleased with the decision.  This will give Elite players a way to play High School hockey and still have the national exposure, and the fun that comes with competing for the National Championship."

This decision will effect high end high school players (9th thru 12th grade) both from the Metro area (Blades) or Northern Minnesota (Wings).

Shattuck St. Mary's will now have to play their way into the National Tournament, something they haven't had to do in previous years. Look for these three organizations to test them this year. 

This is a one year provision, as stated by Minnesota Hockey, they will have a written policy in place by January, 2015 for the 2015-16 season.

Any player in Minnesota that is 12 years or younger. Simply put, Tier I hockey is not in the long term plans for Minnesota Hockey players at the Squirt or PeeWee Level. Over the next six months, MNH will write a set of rules for Tier I Hockey for 2015/16 and beyond. Likely approving teams with an academic affiliation to play Tier I at the U14 level and above and a set number of organizations affiliations.

In reality, it will likely look very much like what Wisconsin Hockey has in place today. Their rules have certain approved organizations that need to meet very specific requirements in order to retain their Tier I status. Only 1 organization is Before/After, Team Wisconsin...the other three approved organizations: Green Bay, Milwaukee, and Madison play a full Fall, Winter, and Spring Schedule.

Team Wisconsin fields Before/After 14/16/18 teams. Their U16 team won the National Championship this past March in Green Bay.

How Minnesota Hockey chooses to write it's rules for the 2015-16 season and address Tier I hockey will be an interesting tale to follow.