Wednesday night, Minnesota Hockey will meet and vote whether to grant these three organizations a one year Provisional Tier I status. Regardless of a yes or no vote Wednseday, MNH over the next year will have to establish a firm long standing policy for Tier I. What they currently have in place for SSM gives them some unnecessary legal liability ("if they get Tier I, why can't we get it?").

If Minnesota Hockey were to vote in favor of a 1 year Provision next year, the sky will not fall on Community Based hockey. Two not for profit organizations (Blades and Wings) will be able to play a Before/After schedule at 16/18 to compliment their High School Hockey schedule. Ability Academic will likely field a Tier I team at 16 and 18 and be forced to travel to find games, much like SSM does each year. They will also have a U14 team that will need to do the same, however, with over 100 Bantam teams within 100 miles of them, will they be allowed to play in local MNH tournaments or play against MNH Bantam teams?

Long term, YHH believes that these U14 teams will somehow be discouraged from playing MNH teams in an effort to preserve their Community Based system.

If there is a no vote, some speculate that future litigation may ensue. As mentioned above, YHH believes Minnesota Hockey will address the Tier I issue head-on and make rules that will eventually look very similar to Wisconsin (a few year round Tier I teams and a North and South Before/After). These rules will be put in place for the 2015-16 season.

USA Hockey does not recognize a Tier I National Champion at Squirts and PeeWees. Tier I affiliates have Squirts and PeeWee teams. Based on the successful Community Based Model in place, it is highly unlikely Minnesota Hockey will not write anything in place for these two younger levels.