Youth Hockey Skill Levels & Tiers Explained
A plain-English guide for parents, coaches, and tournament organizers.
If you've ever stared at a tournament listing that says “Tier II-S” or “AA” and wondered what that actually means for your kid's team — you're not alone. Youth hockey in the US uses two overlapping classification systems, and they can vary from state to state. This guide breaks it down.
The Two Systems
There are two common ways to classify competitive youth hockey in North America:
- The Letter System (A, AA, AAA) — widely used across the US and Canada, especially at the club/travel level.
- The Tier System (Tier I, Tier II, Tier III, etc.) — the official USA Hockey classification, used by state affiliates for sanctioned play and state tournaments.
Both describe the same idea — how competitive a team or division is — but they use different labels. Many tournaments list both, some list only one, and the exact meaning can shift depending on the state.
The Letter System: A, AA, AAA
The most competitive travel hockey. AAA teams typically hold tryouts, play a full-season schedule against other AAA programs, and travel regionally or nationally. Players are often hand-picked through selective tryouts. Many AAA programs are independent clubs (not town-based).
Browse AAA tournaments →Strong competitive travel hockey. AA teams are a step below AAA but still play a demanding schedule with skilled players. In some regions AA is the top level available if there is no AAA program nearby.
Browse AA tournaments →Solid travel/competitive hockey. A-level teams are often the top tier within a town or association program. Players have good fundamentals and play a regular schedule of travel games and tournaments.
Browse A tournaments →House league or recreational hockey. Typically town-based, with an emphasis on development and fun. Games are usually local. Many organizations call this 'house' hockey rather than using the B label.
Browse B / House tournaments →The Tier System: Tier I – Tier V
USA Hockey's official classification uses tiers. State affiliates (like Mass Hockey, NHAHA, VSAHA, etc.) assign tier levels to teams for sanctioned play and state tournaments.
The highest level of USA Hockey sanctioned play. Tier I teams compete for national championships. Equivalent to AAA. Selective tryouts, heavy travel, year-round commitment.
Browse Tier I tournaments →High-level competitive hockey. Roughly equivalent to AA. Teams compete at the state and regional level with a path to national-level play in some age groups.
Browse Tier II tournaments →Used in some states (notably Massachusetts) as a level between Tier II and Tier III. 'Select' indicates a competitive team that falls between the traditional tier boundaries.
Browse Tier II-S (Select) tournaments →Roughly equivalent to A-level. Competitive travel hockey, often the highest tier within a town association. Strong fundamentals, regular travel schedule.
Browse Tier III tournaments →Developmental competitive hockey. A step above house league but below full travel. Good for players building their skills before moving up. Some states split this into Large and Small divisions by program size.
Browse Tier IV tournaments →Entry-level competitive or upper house league. Emphasis on development, learning the game, and building confidence. Available in some states for associations that want structured competition without heavy travel.
Browse Tier V tournaments →How They Map Together
This is a general guide. The exact equivalence varies by state and organization, but here's the typical mapping:
| Letter | USA Hockey Tier | Level |
|---|---|---|
| AAA | Tier I | Elite / National |
| AA | Tier II | Advanced |
| AA / A+ | Tier II-S (Select) | Upper-Mid (some states) |
| A | Tier III | Competitive |
| B / A- | Tier IV | Developmental |
| House / Rec | Tier V | Entry-Level |
It Varies by State
One of the most confusing parts of youth hockey is that states don't all use the same labels or cutoffs. Here's how some states in our coverage area handle it:
- •Uses Tiers: I, II, II-S (Select), III, IV (Large/Small), V
- •Tier II-S is unique to MA — a 'select' level between II and III
- •Tier IV is split by program size (Large vs Small)
- •State tournaments organized by tier and age division
- •Uses Tiers: I, II, III for competitive play
- •Regionals organized by tier before state tournaments
- •Smaller state, so some age groups may only have 1-2 tiers
- •Uses Tiers with Gold/Green subdivisions (e.g. Tier 3 Gold, Tier 3 Green)
- •Gold is the stronger division within a tier
- •Smaller programs mean fewer tiers at older age groups
- •Uses Tiers: I, II for competitive play
- •Connecticut Hockey Conference manages league play and tournaments
- •Some organizations also participate in AA/AAA clubs outside CHC
- •Uses Tiers: II, III, IV for most programs
- •Conferences organized geographically (North/South)
- •Tier II is typically the highest level for most Maine programs
- •Uses both systems — AAA/AA/A for clubs, plus tier classifications
- •Large state with many independent AAA programs
- •Sanctioned invitationals listed by tier level
- •Uses the letter system: AAA, AA, A, BB, B, C
- •AAA is elite, AA is competitive rep hockey, A is town rep
- •BB/B/C are house league levels
- •Provincial organizations manage classifications independently
Choosing the Right Tournament Level
When browsing tournaments on Tourney Hunter, here are some practical tips for finding the right fit:
Match your team's league tier
If your team plays Tier III in your state league, look for Tier III or A-level tournaments. Playing up one level can be a good challenge; two levels up usually isn't fun for anyone.
Read the tournament description
Many tournaments specify exactly which tiers or letter levels are eligible. Some are 'open' (any level welcome), which usually means a wide skill range.
Ask your coach
Coaches typically know where the team fits relative to tournament classifications. A Tier IV team in Massachusetts might be competitive at an A-level tournament in another state.
Consider the competition region
Hockey culture and skill levels vary by region. A 'AA' tournament in a strong hockey market (Minnesota, Massachusetts, Michigan) may be more competitive than AAA in a less established area.
Don't overthink it
Tournament organizers generally want competitive, evenly-matched games. If you're unsure, email the organizer — they'll often tell you honestly whether your team is a good fit.
Quick Reference
AAA / Tier I = Elite. National-level competition. Selective tryouts, heavy travel.
AA / Tier II = Advanced. Strong competitive play. Regional travel.
A / Tier III = Competitive. Good travel hockey. Often the top town/association level.
B / Tier IV-V = Developmental or house-plus. Local play, emphasis on growth.
When in doubt, check with your state hockey association or the tournament organizer directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between AAA, AA, and A hockey?
AAA is the highest level of youth hockey, featuring the most skilled and competitive players. AA is the next tier down, still highly competitive but with a slightly broader talent pool. A (or Tier I in some states) is competitive travel hockey but more accessible than AA/AAA. The exact definitions can vary by state association.
What do Tier I, Tier II, and Tier III mean in youth hockey?
Tier I is the highest competitive level (equivalent to AAA/AA in the letter system). Tier II is mid-level competitive travel hockey. Tier III is entry-level travel hockey, one step above house league. Some states also have Tier IV and Tier V for recreational travel teams.
How do I know which skill level is right for my child?
Start by talking to your child's current coach and your local hockey association. Most associations hold tryouts where players are evaluated and placed at appropriate levels. If your child is new to travel hockey, Tier III or A level is typically a good starting point.
What age divisions are used in youth hockey?
USA Hockey uses age-based divisions: 8U (Mites), 10U (Squirts), 12U (Peewees), 14U (Bantams), 16U (Midget Minor), and 18U (Midget Major). The 'U' means 'and under' — so a 10U player must be 10 years old or younger as of a specific cutoff date.
Do skill levels and tiers vary by state?
Yes. While USA Hockey sets national guidelines, each state association (like Massachusetts Hockey or Colorado Amateur Hockey) can define their own tier structures. Some states use the letter system (AAA/AA/A), others use tiers (I/II/III), and some use both. This is why tournament listings may show different classification styles.
Browse Tournaments by Level
Ready to find a tournament? Browse by age division or skill level:
Or browse all tournaments and use the multi-select filters to find exactly what you're looking for.
Get tournament alerts for your team's level
Pro members can save searches by tier and age group, and get email alerts when new matching tournaments are added.