St. Paul, MN – September 19, 2017 – The Minnesota Hockey Board of Directors instituted multiple rule changes and officially implemented the Girls 15U age level for the upcoming 2017-2018 season. The Board enacted rules designed to enhance player safety through concussion training and reporting mechanisms, better align its participation rule with those at the high school level and provide more age-appropriate rest rules for Mite/8U participants.

Concussion Safety: Starting in 2017-18 season, each coach shall complete concussion training on an annual basis and provide an acknowledgement form with proof of training to the association prior to participating in any team activities.

A head coach or coach in charge of any team activity who has knowledge of a player sustaining a concussion or exhibiting concussion type symptoms shall complete a Minnesota Hockey Concussion Reporting and Return to Play form relating to the injury.  The form must be delivered to the team manager within 48 hours of receipt of information that a player sustained a concussion or exhibited concussion type symptoms. The team manager shall provide a copy of the report to the player’s parent or legal guardian. Until the completed Return to Play portion of the form is received by the team manager or coach, the coach and team manager shall ensure that the player does not participate in any team physical activities.