CIAC / High School
Once secondary school players join their secondary school teams, their eligibility to continue with a CHC Youth or Girls team (dual participation) shall be determined by their secondary school's athletic governing body.
Although CHC no longer prohibits players from playing with their secondary school and a CHC member program team, the CIAC (Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference), the governing body for all public and most parochial schools in the state, prohibits dual participation. Once a player is rostered on a CIAC member school's BOYS roster at any level (club, JV, Varsity), he/she may no longer participate with any outside hockey program, including any USA Hockey or CHC member teams. This prohibition is in effect until the individual school's final game of the year, including high school state tournaments. Once a school has completely finished its season, the player may return to his CHC member team, provided that he was not removed from that team's roster. Any player who is removed cannot be added back onto your roster after December 31st. Please note that the CIAC prohibition of dual rostering does not apply to GIRLS high school teams, as the CIAC does not recognize Girls Hockey. Girls who play on BOYS high school teams are subject to the dual participation prohibition. Players should always check with their secondary school coach or athletic director prior to returning to any youth team.
CIAC FAQS:
24. After the date of the school’s first contest for a given sport, may a freshman, JV, or varsity team member practice or play with an outside team?
No. After the date of the school’s first contest, participation in any of these activities would constitute a violation. However, there are some exceptions to the rule for students that participate “unattached” in the individual sports of golf, gymnastics, swimming, tennis, indoor track and outdoor track. Please refer to the exception to Rule 1.1.a. for select sports only on page 70 in the CIAC Handbook.
25. After the first contest for a given sport may an athlete tryout for an outside team or attend a showcase or audition for a professional team in the same branch of athletics?
No. After the date of the school’s first contest in that sport the athlete would be in violation of the in-season rules and would lose their eligibility if they participate.
26. A student opts to play junior hockey rather than play for the high school team. In January he leaves the junior team and wants to join the high school team. Is this permissible under CIAC eligibility rules?
No. After the date of the school’s first contest in the high school hockey season, a student who practices or plays with an outside team cannot join the high school team.
35. When may a student-athlete participate with an outside team in the same team sport?
a. After his/her team plays its final game and does not qualify for the CIAC tournament.
b. After his/her final regular season contest if he/she is not on the CIAC tournament roster.
c. After his/her team (if on the tournament roster) is eliminated from the CIAC tournament.
If a student-athlete participates with an outside team, he/she may not return to his/her high school team the remainder of that season without being in violation.