Travel hockey represents the highest level of commitment to youth hockey.  The travel hockey season is from September through March and travel teams participate in one of several leagues including the U.S. Premier Hockey League (USPHL), the Atlantic Youth Hockey League (AYHL), or the New Jersey Youth Hockey League (NJYHL).  

There are two “tiers” of travel hockey.  Tier I consists of the AAA division and represents the highest level of youth hockey.  Not all travel organizations have a Tier I program.  Tier II consists of the remaining divisions - AA through B divisions – with AA being the most competitive division of Tier II hockey.

HIERARCHY OF YOUTH HOCKEY

Tier I AAA teams participate in the USPHL or AYHL while the Tier II divisions participate in the NJYHL.  Players are required to participate in try-outs for the organization for which they are interested in playing to determine if they will make the team and in the case of Tier II for which division they will be selected.  USA Hockey, the governing body of youth hockey in the United States, requires that Tier I tryouts be held first followed by Tier II tryouts thereafter.  Tier I tryouts are held the week following the USA Hockey National Championships have concluded, which is usually the first or second week of April, with Tier II tryouts being held the following week.