frequently asked

questions

Where are the THF East member organizations located?

THF East member organizations are from the following states: Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Maryland, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania.

What are the age divisions for the THF East Division for the 2023-24 season?

9U (2014)
10U (2013)
11U (2012)
12U (2011)
13U (2010)
14U (2009)
15U Pure (2008)
16U (2008/2007)
18U (2006/2005)

How many games does a team play in the season?

THF South offers two season structures to member organizations:

  • Clubs can play a full season.  Individual teams from full season-members can be considered for partial season status if the team ranked in the Top 25 Nationally the prior season.
  • Clubs can play a partial season.  Clubs must receive approval from the league to participate as a partial season member.

USPHL North offers two season structures to member organizations

  • Clubs can play a full season.
  • Clubs can play an affiliate season.  Clubs must receive approval from the league to participate as an affiliate season member.  Club’s geography and relative strength are some of the factors that are used when reviewing the affiliate application.

How many games does a full season team play for the 2023-24 season?

THF East game counts differ by age division:
28 games: 9U (2014) – 14U (2009)
20 games: 15U (2008), 16U (2008/2007) and 18U (2006/2005)

USPHL will determine and publish game counts for the USPHL North age divisions.

Do all the teams in the THF East organization have to play the same season structure?

No, teams in a full-season organization must meet certain standards such as being a Top 25 team in the national ranking system to qualify to participate as a partial season member. Extenuating circumstances may also be considered for partial season status (new roster additions, etc.)

Teams in an organization that meet the standard to qualify for partial season status may still elect to participate as a full season member team.

There is no limit to the number of teams in a member organization that can qualify for the partial season status.

What are the key dates for the 2023-24 season?

Teams will receive a schedule matrix from the league and are responsible for scheduling their own games with their opponents.

Regular season commences on August 19th and shall be completed by February 11th.

Will my team play all the teams in the division?

No, teams will play an unbalanced schedule within their division.

Teams will NOT play every team- rather the schedule will be based on the appropriate level of competition for each team.

Does the THF East host Championships?

Yes, all age divisions and brackets will have playoffs at the end of the season.

Playoffs will be in a centralized location in North/Central New Jersey. Playoffs will be at the end of February.

*MassConn United is a scheduling partner and not eligible for playoffs

What is KRACH?

Does the THF East host a pre-season parity event? What is the parity event?

How:

  • 3-4 (30) minute running time games
  • Attendance of each team at the event is mandatory

What:

  • Games played against projected division opponents
  • Game results at parity event will be one factor in determining the team’s game matrix for the 2023-2024 season

Why: Goal is to eliminate lopsided games and create a schedule matrix for each team that provides balanced competition

Is attendance at the THF East parity event mandatory?

Yes, attendance is mandatory for all teams regardless if they are playing a full season schedule or partial season schedule.

The results of the parity games will be a major factor in determining a teams schedule matrix for the season. Given the time and cost of playing high level hockey, we think it is imperative for all teams to attend the event.

The goal is to create the most competitively balanced schedule for all organizations in the THF East.

Where are the USPHL North member organizations located?

USPHL North member organizations are from the following states: Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

What are the age divisions for the USPHL North Division for the 2023-24 season?

9U (2014)
10U (2013)
11U (2012)
12U (2011)
13U (2010)
14U (2009)
15U Pure (2008)
16U (2008/2007)
18U (2006/2005)

Will there be regular season games between the THF East and USPHL North?

No, THF East teams will only play THF East teams during the regular season and USPHL North teams will only play USPHL North teams during the regular season.

The THF will work with any teams from both divisions that wish to schedule supplemental cross-over games, but again, there will be no requirements for in-season play.

How many games does a partial season team play for the 2023-24 season?

THF East partial season game counts differ by age division
16 Games: 19U (2014) – 13U (2010)
12 Games: 14U (2009) – 18U (2006/2005)

USPHL North affiliate season game counts differ by the number of teams in a division at each age group and will be determined and published by the USPHL.

Does the THF East host showcase events?

Yes, the THF will have showcase events that are operated by the Exposure Series and USPHL. See dates under Events tab

Will all teams in the THF East participate in the season?

Yes, all teams are expected to participate as either a full season or partial season team.

What is an unbalanced schedule?

The THF will assign a schedule matrix of games within your division.

The matrix will be designed to provide the best level of competition for your team based on the results of the preseason parity event as well as other factors such as previous seasons results and roster changes during tryouts.  The THF has a competition committee that will review schedules.

Within a division, a team can play opponent A four times, opponent B two times and opponent C zero times in a season.

For teams at the Non National bound ages (10U Minor-14U Minor), special attention will be paid to create a schedule matrix that will provide the best level of competition for a team with a focus on reducing travel and cost.

For National bound ages, the primary focus will be matching up teams based on improving National rankings and eliminating lopsided games (strength of schedule, comparable teams, etc.)

How are the playoff standings determined if teams do not play each other the same number of times?

The THF East will use KRACH to determine playoff rankings.

How will the THF East and USPHL North track player and goalie stats?

All games will be scored using the GameSheet app.  Clubs/team managers will be required to score games on an iPad using the GameSheet app and will be required to provide their own iPads.

Player stats and standings are updated on the THF website instantly.  Electronic score sheets are easy to export to PDF format for printing.

There will be no paper score sheets for official league scoring.