High School Players with Bantam Eligibility

The following policy applies to male Bantam aged players who will be attending high school (typically about half of the 2nd year Bantam players are also incoming high school freshman).

All boys who are at the Bantam age level and want to participate in the Andover Hockey Association are required to register and participate as full season Bantams.  For those Bantam age boys who will be entering their freshman year of high school the following fall, participation in the AHA's High School Half Season ("HSHS") program, which runs from early September through approximately Thanksgiving, will be available at no additional cost.  

Bantam aged players who intend to participate in both AHA Bantams full season and AHA HSHS should plan to attend both sets of placement sessions.

Bantam aged boys who are freshmen in high school will be allowed to attend all HSHS practices and skills sessions, and will be invited to participate in HSHS games on an as needed basis.  This is an excellent opportunity to gain additional ice time in the fall.   We believe that participating with both the Bantam and HSHS programs is the best path for serious hockey players to improve and prepare for high school tryouts.   Furthermore, after the high school season is over, these players will still have about six weeks left in their Bantam season (including potentially the Massachusetts Hockey state tournament and Valley Hockey League playoffs.)

A few additional notes:

• If a player with Bantam eligibility makes the Freshman or JV team at Andover High School, they are typically encouraged to continue playing for their Bantam team, schedule permitting, with High School games and practices taking priority in the event of a conflict.  Any player who makes the Varsity is typically permitted to participate only with that team.

• If your player will be attending a different high school we strongly encourage you to check with that program for their policies with respect to Bantams/high school hockey participation.

• Finally, high school students with Bantam eligibility are not required to also participate in the HSHS in the fall, and can elect play Bantams only for the entire season.

Should you have any questions on these policies or any placements related inquiries, please feel free to contact placements@andoverhockey.org.