Introduction to Player Development Opportunities
USA Hockey provides several types of camps for youth female players to focus on long-term athlete development. To be eligible for USA Hockey Player Development Camp tryouts, the player must be a citizen of the United States. Players can only tryout in the district they reside in. If a player plays out of district, attends a prep school, etc. the player still must tryout in their district. For example, if a player goes to prep school in Massachusetts but the parents’ permanent residence is in New York, the player must tryout in New York.
Each district has a unique tryout process for the camps. It typically starts with an open affiliate/state tryout. From there, players must be invited to a district tryout. Following the district tryout, players are invited to district, regional, or National camps. Tryouts for the camps for both boys and girls begin in March or April depending on the district you reside in. You can find more information about registering for regional/district tryouts on your district and affiliate websites. It is recommended to begin watching for registration forms in December of the season leading up to the camp (ex. December 2023 for March 2024 tryouts).
Understanding Each Type of Camp
District Development Camp
District Development Camps are held within the district the player resides in. All players attending the camp live within the district. District Development Camps are typically for younger players ages 11-13, however, some districts provide District Development Camps for older age groups as well.
Multi-District Development Camp
The Multi-District Development Camp provides a shared camp experience between specific districts. For Multi-District Development Camps, each district is allowed to send a certain number of players to the overnight camp at Trine University in Angola, Indiana. The camp is offered at multiple age groups.
14 years old: Massachusetts, Michigan, Mid-American, and Northern Plains districts.
15 years old: Massachusetts, Michigan, Mid-American, New York, and Northern Plains districts.
16/17 years old: Massachusetts, Michigan, Mid-American, and Northern Plains districts.
Eastern Regional 14 Select Camp
The Eastern Regional Select Camp is for 14 year old players only. The camp is composed of a small group of selected players (10-17 players) from the Atlantic, Massachusetts, New England, New York, and Southeastern districts. The camp typically takes place at St. Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire.
Minnesota 14 Select Camp
The Minnesota District hosts their own Select Camp for 14 year olds at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota.
Western High Performance Camp
The Western High Performance Camp is for 14 year old players only. The camp is composed of a small group of selected players from the Northern Plains, Pacific, and Rocky Mountain districts. The camp typically takes place in Henderson, Nevada.
National Player Development Camps
USA Hockey Player Development Camps are broken into three age groups: 15s, 16/17s, and u18. Each district is allowed to send a certain number of players from each age group to each of the camps. The National Player Development Camps are meant to develop and evaluate the top female players across the country.
For both the 15s and 16/17s camps, players will go through the regional and district tryout process. The 15s and 16/17s camps are held at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. For the u18 camp, players are selected based on in-season competition and prior National Player Development Camp experience by USA Hockey’s scouting/evaluation staff. The u18 Select Player Development Camp is held at Northwood School and the Olympic Center in Lake Placid, New York. Please note that eligibility for the u18 camp begins at 15 and it is not listed in the chart below.
Girls National Training Camp
The Girls National Training Camp is for 18 year olds only. Players cannot try out for this camp, however, they will be evaluated and scouted by USA Hockey scouting/evaluation staff at in-season competitions and events. Players who are selected to attend this camp will receive an invitation directly from USA Hockey. This camp takes place at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.
It is important to note that any players that attend any of the National Development Camps may be tracked for future National Team opportunities.
Camp Options Broken Down By Age & District
District | 11-13 Y/O | 14 Y/O | 15 Y/O | 16/17 Y/O | 18 Y/O |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Atlantic |
|
|
|
|
|
Central |
|
|
|
|
|
Massachusetts |
|
|
|
|
|
Mid-American |
|
|
|
|
|
Michigan |
|
|
|
|
|
Minnesota |
|
|
|
|
|
New England |
|
|
|
|
|
New York |
|
|
|
|
|
Northern Plains |
|
|
|
|
|
Pacific |
|
|
|
|
|
Rocky Mountain |
|
|
|
|
|
Southeastern |
|
|
|
|
|
Comments