2026-2027 REgistration FAQs
Why do 8U and 10U practice two times per week instead of three?
This was an intentional developmental decision.
At the 8U and 10U levels, our focus is on helping players build confidence, develop strong skating and puck skills, and foster a lifelong love of the game. We believe high-quality, age-appropriate practices are more valuable than simply increasing the number of ice sessions.
As players grow and the game becomes more demanding, additional practice time becomes increasingly beneficial. That's why our older age divisions transition to three weekly practices, with 14U and 18U also including structured off-ice athletic development.
Why do all 12U, 14U, and 18U players register as State-Play Players?
Registering all players as State-Play Players serves two purposes.
First, it simplifies the registration and billing process by allowing every family to complete the same registration before evaluations.
Second, it allows our coaches to complete player evaluations before making final roster decisions.
Following the fall evaluations, players will be placed on either a State-Play roster or, if needed, as a Practice Player based on coaching evaluations and roster availability. If your player is placed as a Practice Player, the difference in registration fees will automatically be refunded or credited to your account.
Player evaluations are an important part of our development model and will occur both in the fall and again in the spring. Fall evaluations help determine initial roster placement, while spring evaluations allow us to measure player development over the course of the season and continue making thoughtful decisions that best serve our players.
Will there definitely be Practice Players this season?
Not necessarily.
Our expectation is that most players will be placed on a State-Play roster. The Practice Player model simply provides LAHA with flexibility if we have more players than can fit on our State-Play roster, but not enough players to support additional competitive rosters.
It may also be a good option for families who prefer a lower travel commitment while remaining part of our development program.
It's entirely possible that some age groups won't have any Practice Players this season.
Does every age division have Practice Players?
No.
Practice Players are only utilized at the 12U, 14U, and 18U age divisions.
8U and 10U players are placed directly onto their teams and will not have Practice Player designations.
Why not just create a second team?
Our goal is to provide the best possible development experience for every player.
If we don't have enough players to support an additional competitive roster, creating another team may not provide the level of competition and development we're striving for. The Practice Player model gives us flexibility while maintaining strong State-Play rosters and ensuring every player has a place within LAHA.
The intent of this model is not to limit opportunities, but to create another pathway for players to continue developing while remaining part of our association.
What does a Practice Player do?
Practice Players participate in team practices and receive the same coaching and player development opportunities, including off-ice training and monthly membership at TreelineTraining, as State-Play players throughout the season.
Because we believe game experience is an important part of player development, Practice Players may have opportunities to play on the State-Play roster (prior to the state rostering deadline) when additional players are needed due to illness, injury, scheduling conflicts, or other roster shortages. While these opportunities cannot be guaranteed, we will continue looking for ways to provide meaningful game experience as opportunities arise. Our philosophy is simple:
Every player deserves a place to belong, a place to be challenged, and a place to grow.
What if my player is offered a Practice Player position, but our family decides it isn't the right fit?
We understand that being offered a Practice Player position may not be the right choice for every family.
If your player is offered a Practice Player position, you will have one week to accept or decline the placement. Email president@laha.org directly if you decline the Practice Player position.
If you choose to decline, LAHA will make a one-time exception to our standard no-refund policy and issue a full refund of your registration fees.
Our hope is that families will view the Practice Player model as another valuable opportunity for continued development, but we also understand that every family's goals and circumstances are different.
My player is new to hockey. Is LAHA the right place to start?
For players who are brand new to hockey or are still developing foundational skating skills, we recommend beginning with The Rink Exchange's Root Beer League, Intro to Hockey, or Hockey Academy before joining LAHA.
The
Rink Exchange and LAHA work together to provide a pathway for players to discover hockey, build their skills, and continue developing right here in Eugene.
Will there be an opportunity to ask questions before evaluations?
Absolutely!
We'll be hosting a virtual community meeting before evaluations on Tuesday, August 4th @6:00 pm (Virtual Teams link will be sent separately prior to the meeting) to review the upcoming season, explain the program structure, and answer questions from families.
Please submit questions in advance to President@laha.org.