DMHA adopts Hockey Canada’s recommendation that players develop and play within their age category. However, a player may seek exceptional status to be selected by and play for a representative team in the next highest division by submitting a written request to the DMHA executive by no later than March 15 or 15 days prior to the start of tryouts, whichever is earlier.
The following conditions shall be reviewed for a player to be considered and granted exceptional status:
1. All registration and tryout fees (for both age categories) must be paid in full before the tryout begins.
2. The player’s ability must be significantly advanced for his/her age and playing at a level consistent with the top players at least one age group above.
3. Be one of the top three (3) players in the older age group or one of the top two (2) goaltenders in the older age group by demonstrated skill level as compared to all players trying out for the representative team as assessed by an independent evaluator assigned by the DMHA Executive.
4. The independent evaluator will be an individual without conflict with either age category and appointed by the non-conflicted DMHA Executive members.
5. The player will be permitted two tryouts at the older age group before being released.
If the player tries out for but does not make the representative team for which he/she tries out based on the above criteria, he/she may try out for or be selected for the representative team in his/her age group. The player will be permitted one tryout at the player’s own age group before being released.
Subject to the above, requests to allow players to play on other (i.e., not representative) DMHA teams for which the player is not strictly ineligible may be considered at the discretion of the executive in response to a written request made no less than 14 days prior to the start of the tryout process. The executive shall, in the exercise of such discretion, consider the registration numbers, the player’s ability and suitability, the best interests of the teams that may be affected and the maintenance of the reputation, integrity and spirit of DMHA.