Frequently Asked Questions
Our State Games Hockey Tournament is a unique opportunity for players to compete and meet people outside of their club organizations! Because of that, our process may seem a little foreign to some families, so please refer here to see some of our most commonly asked questions!
How does the tournament process work overall?
The tournament process begins by registering your player for the tryout for their division and age group! This comes along with the $45 tryout fee ($50 after 3/31) and exact tryout times and locations will be released closer to March and April. After tryouts are concluded, district coaches will assess all players and create a roster for their team. Emails will be sent out sometime after tryouts letting players and parents know the coaches’ decisions on whether they made the team or not.
Note: A player that may have been cut from their district team will receive an email about an at-large tryout, available at no cost, or they may receive an email later alerting them that there is room for them on the team. In that case, proceed to the next step in the registration process, noted below.
After a player receives the email confirming they made a team, they then need to register for the $180 team fee, which includes 1 hour of practice time, a jersey and socks, 3 guaranteed games, and the Opening Ceremony. The player must pay this fee to confirm their spot on the team!
Before the tournament begins, each team is guaranteed at least one practice time with the rest of their team and their coaches where potential lines, expectations, and introductions will occur. This time and location will be determined by the coach in whatever manner they choose, so contact them directly with any questions.
At the start of the tournament, each team is guaranteed at least three games to compete in, held at different potential ice rinks in the Greater Grand Rapids area, not far from one another. The tournament itself is stay-to-play, bracket style, with the teams that win the most games play the most games!
What age group is my player in?
For the girl’s tournament, each player should register for the appropriate division based on the grade they are currently in at the time of registration, NOT what they would be in at the time of the tournament given they “graduate” their grade.
EX: If a player is currently in 9th grade, but at the time of the tournament they will have ended school, technically making them in 10th grade at that time, they should still register for the 7-9th Grade division.
For the boy’s tournament, each player should register for the appropriate division based on their birth year.
EX: - 11U: Birth years: 2015, 2016, and 2017
- 13U: Birth years: 2013 and 2014
- 15U: Birth years: 2011 and 2012
- 18U: Birth years: 2008, 2009, and 2010
When are tryouts taking place?
Tryouts will be taking place throughout April and May, with the exact day and location being released sooner to the date of the event. The exact date, time, and location of the tryout will be dependent on the staff, coach’s schedule and available ice times, but each division’s tryout will take place within the division a player represents!
Can my player play in a higher age division?
In situations where a player is on the older edge of their age group, exceptions can be made to moving a player up to an older age division if wanted. However, a player cannot move down to a lower age division, you can only request to be moved up. Reach out to hockey@stategamesofmichigan.com for inquiries.
Is this tournament stay to play?
Yes, the tournament is stay to play, with blocks available to those who make the team at a discounted rate than found elsewhere online. Those outside of a 70-mile radius are required to stay in the block.
Can I be refunded after paying the fee for tryouts/tournaments?
Generally, we do not offer refunds on fees for tryouts/tournaments. However, in the case of emergency situations (i.e. injury, illness, family emergencies, etc.), send an email to hockey@stategamesofmichigan.com detailing the situation and request a refund. Inquiries will be looked at, and outcomes will be decided on a case-by-case basis, you are not guaranteed to be refunded.