Frequently Asked Questions

Tier 1 designation represents the highest level of competition for girls hockey in North America. The Florida Alliance Tier 1 team competes in more college bound showcases and national tournaments, at a higher level of play. These additional events provide more opportunities for college scouts and coaches recruiting for their respective D1/D3 NCAA and D1/D2 ACHA programs more looks at our players.

Tryouts for the National Bound teams starts shortly after the previous Nationals tournament. The season really starts for the teams typically in late August for practices. The teams represent girls from all over the state, practices are 2-3 times a month with several on-ice, off ice, video and team building sessions. Practices are moved to accommodate the biggest numbers of players in Orlando, Tampa and Southern Florida areas. The Tier 2 teams will travel monthly to tournaments and showcase mostly in the Northeast and Central United States. The Tier 1 team will travel twice a month to tournaments and showcase throughout North America. The goal of Tier 2 is 35+ games and Tier 1  50+ games per season.

Yes. The Alliance program has provisions for the girls to play for other programs. It’s encourage within all age divisions. This may be in-house leagues, coed travel teams, high school aged leagues, etc. Should a girl dual roster for 2 teams that declare National Bound, the player should inform both teams dual roster is taking place. Secondly, they must declare before Dec 31 of that season which team they will represent in Post season play.

At 12U and 10U, there arguably isn’t much difference in coed or girls teams with respect to play and size of players. However, at age 14U and older for Coed, checking is now allowed. Girls will usually make decisions at this time to either play both or move over to only girls hockey moving onward.

Girls hockey all the way through college is non-checking. There are girls that compete in checking leagues, as well as those that join girls teams to compete against other girls teams. It’s important to have the choice particularly in high school ages, it’s the desire to pave different routes that allow girls to continue playing hockey.

Each team has a Head coach and share a off-ice strength and conditioning coach, a nutritionist, and have a team manager. Coaches and team management that are on the benches are all USA Hockey and SafeSport certified. The coaching and management teams are all actively involved in state or national development programs and devoted to growing girls hockey. They are determined to offer competition that allows for girls to compete nationally and still live in Florida year round.