FAQ'S

When does my team need to be ready to play?

Games may begin as early as 7:00 AM on the first day of the tournament. On the final day, all games will conclude by approximately 5:30 PM, allowing teams time to travel home.

How many games are guaranteed?

Every team is guaranteed four games. Depending on the number of teams in your division, your team may play up to six games throughout the weekend.

Game lengths are as follows:

• 9U–12U: Three 12-minute stop-time periods
• 13U–14U: Three 13-minute stop-time periods
• 15U–19U: Three 15-minute stop-time periods

What rules are used?

Destination Hockey Tournaments events follow USA Hockey rules with a few tournament-specific modifications designed to improve game flow and the overall tournament experience.

Tag-up offsides and shorthanded icing are permitted in all divisions.

All players are required to wear a neck guard regardless of their state or affiliate requirements. Players without a neck guard will not be allowed to participate.

Players and goaltenders in the 12U–18U age groups are required to wear a colored (non-clear) mouthguard. Canadian teams may follow the equipment requirements of their governing organization.

Body checking begins in the 2013 birth year division.

When is final payment due?

Tournament balances are due one month before the start of the event. Teams will not be placed on the schedule until payment has been received in full.

When teams register they will put a 50% down payment and our system will automatically charge your payment method 30 days before the event. Dont worry you will get a reminder that we are about to charge your card for the final payment!

What paperwork is required?

All teams will be required to submit a roster form and tournament waiver. These documents will be provided to registered teams prior to the event in the form of a link where your players can easily fill out the waiver form.

What is the roster limit?

Teams may roster up to 20 players.

Is this a Stay-to-Play tournament?

Yes. Teams traveling from more than 75 miles away are required to book accommodations through our official housing partner. Teams that do not comply with the Stay-to-Play policy may be subject to a $1,000 fee.

When will schedules be released?

Tournament schedules are typically released 7–10 days prior to the event (sometime sooner). Once schedules are published, we ask teams to understand that changes are extremely difficult to make due to the impact on other teams and divisions.

What is the refund policy?

Tournament deposits and payments are non-refundable. Refunds will only be issued if a division is canceled by Destination Hockey Tournaments.

Where are games played?

Game locations are listed on each event page. We do not ship folks from one side of a city to another to play! We intentially hold smaller events focused on giving everyone the best experience possible!

Can accommodations be made for coaches with multiple teams?

If requests are submitted at least 30 days prior to the event, we will do our best to avoid scheduling conflicts. While we cannot guarantee accommodations, we will make every reasonable effort to help.

When does my team need to check in?

Teams should check in one hour before their first game. A coach or manager will receive tournament information and make sure all required paperwork is submitted.

Do teams need to check in before every game?

Yes. We ask that a coach or manager sign the scoresheet prior to each game and provide roster stickers if available.

Is there a gate fee?

No. There are no admission fees for spectators at Destination Hockey Tournaments events.

Should our team purchase travel insurance?

We strongly recommend purchasing travel protection for flights, hotels, and other travel expenses.

Will games be live streamed?

Many of our partner rinks offer streaming through LiveBarn or similar services. Availability varies by facility. If a rink does have a streaming service we will share this with your team manager before the event!

Will tournament merchandise be available?

Yes. Official tournament apparel and souvenirs will be available throughout the weekend.

Will photographers be on-site?

Most events will feature professional photographers capturing action photos and team moments.

What do champions receive?

Championship and finalist teams will receive custom awards, including championship cups and medals.

Where can scores and standings be found?

Scores, standings, and schedules will be available online throughout the event.

Who should I contact with questions?

For questions regarding registration, schedules, payments, hotels, or general event information, please contact the Destination Hockey Tournaments team through the Contact Us page.

We ask all players, coaches, parents, and spectators to represent their teams in a positive manner. Respect for opponents, officials, rink staff, hotel staff, and fellow guests is expected at all times. Unsportsmanlike conduct or behavior that reflects poorly on the event may result in removal from the tournament and future participation restrictions.

Thank you for helping us create great hockey experiences in some of the best destination locations across North America.