McKinney Ice Hockey Club (“MIHC”) is an autonomous Texas nonprofit youth hockey organization committed to providing a safe, competitive, and development-focused hockey environment.

Participation in MIHC programs is a privilege and not a guarantee of placement on any specific team, roster, competitive level, position, line, role, or amount of playing time.

All player evaluations, roster selections, and team placement decisions are made solely by MIHC Hockey Operations leadership and designated coaching staff based on the best interests of the player, team, and organization.

Prior participation, previous roster placement, statistics, financial contribution, family membership, summer participation, or personal expectations do not create an entitlement or guarantee of future placement.

McKinney Ice Hockey Club (“MIHC”) is committed to providing a safe, respectful, and inclusive hockey environment consistent with applicable federal and Texas law, USA Hockey requirements, SafeSport obligations, Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies (“MAAPP”), and applicable governing-body standards.

MIHC does not discriminate against any participant, coach, volunteer, or family member on the basis of any characteristic protected by applicable law, including race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, or any other legally protected status.

All membership, participation, eligibility, evaluation, roster selection, team placement, coaching, and program decisions are based on legitimate hockey-related, organizational, safety, compliance, developmental, and operational considerations.

MIHC may consider factors necessary to fulfill its responsibilities as a youth sports organization, including compliance with Club policies, USA Hockey and SafeSport requirements, eligibility standards, conduct expectations, disciplinary history, sanctions, suspensions, restrictions, safety considerations, team environment, and the ability to participate within established program standards.

A decision to deny, restrict, suspend, condition, or terminate participation based on legitimate safety, eligibility, compliance, behavioral, organizational, or risk-management considerations shall not be considered discriminatory when applied consistently and in accordance with applicable law and governing requirements.

Nothing in this statement requires MIHC to select, roster, retain, or permit participation by any individual when doing so would conflict with safety obligations, compliance requirements, organizational policies, insurance obligations, or the best interests of the Club and its participants.

MIHC reserves the right to make good-faith decisions necessary to protect players, families, coaches, volunteers, and the long-term mission and sustainability of the organization.

McKinney Ice Hockey Club (“MIHC”) operates as an autonomous 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth hockey organization governed by:

• MIHC Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws.
• MIHC Board-approved policies and procedures.
• USA Hockey membership requirements.
• USA Hockey SafeSport policies and Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies (MAAPP).
• Texas Amateur Hockey Association (TAHA) requirements.
• Texas Scholastic Hockey League (TSHL) rules and regulations.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws.

As an autonomous organization, MIHC maintains full authority over:

• Player evaluations.
• Tryout procedures.
• Team formation.
• Roster selection.
• Competitive level placement.
• Player roles and assignments.
• Coaching decisions.
• Program structure.

MIHC retains sole discretion to create teams, assign competitive levels, and determine roster composition based on available resources, player development objectives, safety requirements, and organizational needs.

MIHC believes youth hockey development requires placing athletes in environments where they can:

• Continue developing skills.
• Experience appropriate competition.
• Build confidence.
• Learn accountability and teamwork.
• Develop character and sportsmanship.

The goal of evaluations is not simply to identify the most skilled players, but to create balanced teams that support both individual development and overall program success.

MIHC evaluates players as complete athletes and considers multiple factors.

MIHC may also consider:

• Position needs.
• Roster balance.
• Team chemistry.
• Age distribution.
• Developmental needs.
• Attendance history.
• Commitment expectations.
• Program structure.
• Available ice time.
• League and tournament requirements.

No single evaluation factor determines placement.

MIHC offers competitive hockey opportunities designed to challenge athletes at appropriate levels.

Placement on Varsity Gold, Varsity, JV, or any other designated competitive level is determined through the MIHC evaluation process.

Competitive placement is not based solely on:

• Prior placement.
• Previous season performance.
• Statistics.
• Reputation.
• Parent or player expectations.
• External evaluations.
• Private coaching opinions.

Placement decisions may consider the overall readiness of the athlete and the needs of the team.

A player may have strong individual skills but not be selected for a particular team if MIHC determines another placement better supports:

• Player development.
• Team balance.
• Competitive success.
• Program objectives.

MIHC recognizes that team placement and coaching decisions can be emotional and encourages constructive, respectful communication when questions arise. Parents or players who seek clarification should:

• Wait at least 24 hours after a placement decision, game, or emotionally charged event before requesting a discussion (“24‑hour rule”), to allow for a more productive conversation.
• Request a meeting or call at an appropriate time, never during or immediately before/after games or practices starting with the head coach where appropriate.
• Focus on the player’s development, effort, and areas for improvement rather than comparisons to other players.

To preserve the integrity of evaluations and avoid ongoing disputes, MIHC does not re‑litigate or formally appeal coach selections, team placements, or ice‑time decisions, except where there is a credible allegation of:

• Violation of club policy or league/USA Hockey rules.
• Discrimination or retaliation.
• SafeSport‑related misconduct or abuse concerns.

In those limited circumstances, concerns should be raised through existing club channels (such as the Board, the SafeSport/Discipline contact, or designated hockey operations leader) and will be reviewed in good faith under applicable club, league, and USA Hockey policies. Families should understand that while MIHC may review whether policies were followed, this does not mean that individual roster spots, lines, or ice‑time allocations will be changed as a result.

Players and parents are encouraged to communicate concerns in a respectful, solution-oriented manner.

When seeking clarification or discussing concerns, families should:

• Focus discussions on the athlete’s development, effort, goals, and areas for improvement.
• Avoid comparisons to other players, teams, lines, positions, or playing opportunities.
• Respect the confidentiality of other athletes and families.
• Communicate through appropriate Club channels.
• Maintain professional and respectful conduct toward coaches, volunteers, administrators, and other members.

MIHC reserves the right to discontinue communications that become disrespectful, threatening, abusive, repetitive, disruptive, or inconsistent with the Club’s Code of Conduct.

To encourage productive conversations and prevent emotionally charged interactions, MIHC requires a minimum 24-hour waiting period following:

• Team placement announcements.
• Tryout results.
• Games.
• Practices.
• Disciplinary decisions.
• Other emotionally significant hockey events.

Families should not approach coaches, Hockey Operations staff, or volunteers during, immediately before, or immediately after games, practices, evaluations, or team activities to discuss placement decisions, playing time, or emotionally charged concerns.

This waiting period exists to allow appropriate reflection and ensure conversations occur in a respectful and constructive setting.

Questions or concerns should generally follow the appropriate chain of communication:

Player Discussion (when appropriate)

Athletes are encouraged to develop communication skills and advocate for their own development with appropriate support.

Head Coach Discussion

Questions regarding development, expectations, role, or improvement opportunities should first be directed to the head coach at an appropriate scheduled time.

Hockey Operations Review

If a concern involves broader program issues, policy questions, or unresolved matters, families may request review by designated MIHC Hockey Operations leadership.

Board-Level Review

Matters involving governance, alleged policy violations, SafeSport concerns, discrimination, retaliation, or serious organizational issues may be directed to the MIHC Board of Directors or designated compliance contacts.

MIHC may decline to intervene in matters appropriately within the discretion of coaches, including routine decisions regarding:

• Line combinations.
• Player roles.
• Playing time.
• Game strategy.
• Tactical decisions.
• Competitive deployment.

MIHC recognizes that hockey decisions require professional judgment and may involve subjective evaluations and competitive considerations.

To preserve the integrity of the evaluation process and maintain appropriate authority for coaches and Hockey Operations leadership, MIHC does not provide formal appeals or re-litigation of:

• Player evaluations.
• Tryout outcomes.
• Team placements.
• Competitive level assignments.
• Line assignments.
• Position decisions.
• Playing time decisions.
• Game strategy decisions.

Disagreement with a coaching decision, dissatisfaction with placement, or differing opinions regarding an athlete’s ability does not create an appeal right or require MIHC to reconsider its decision.

MIHC may review concerns when there is a credible allegation involving:

• Violation of MIHC policies or procedures.
• Violation of USA Hockey, SafeSport, MAAPP, TAHA, or TSHL requirements.
• Discrimination prohibited by applicable law or Club policy.
• Retaliation for raising a legitimate concern.
• Abuse, harassment, bullying, or SafeSport-related misconduct.
• Conduct that may create a safety, legal, compliance, or organizational risk.

A review under this section evaluates whether applicable policies, procedures, or requirements were followed. It is not a mechanism to substitute the judgment of MIHC leadership, coaches, or evaluators.

MIHC protects the privacy of players, families, coaches, and volunteers.

The Club will not disclose:

• Other players’ evaluations.
• Other athletes’ rankings or placement discussions.
• Internal coaching discussions.
• Evaluator notes.
• Confidential disciplinary information.
• Private organizational deliberations.

Families acknowledge that protecting confidential information is necessary to maintain a fair and effective hockey environment.

Families understand that submitting a concern or requesting review does not guarantee:

• A roster change.
• A team placement change.
• Increased playing time.
• Line changes.
• Coaching changes.
• Modification of hockey decisions.

MIHC may determine that appropriate policies were followed while maintaining the original decision.

MIHC is committed to addressing good-faith concerns. However, repeated challenges to final decisions, excessive communications, harassment of coaches or volunteers, public disparagement of the Club, or behavior that disrupts operations may result in:

• Additional communication restrictions.
• Conduct review.
• Disciplinary action.
• Restriction or termination of participation privileges consistent with MIHC policies.

MIHC retains final authority over hockey operations, player development decisions, coaching decisions, team structure, and program administration.

The MIHC Board of Directors and designated Hockey Operations leadership are responsible for ensuring the Club operates consistent with:

• MIHC policies.
• USA Hockey requirements.
• SafeSport and MAAPP obligations.
• TAHA requirements.
• TSHL standards.
• Applicable laws.
• The mission and fiduciary responsibilities of the organization.

MIHC’s goal is to maintain an environment where players can develop, coaches can coach effectively, and families can participate in a positive, respectful, and safe hockey community.

By registering for, participating in, or attending any McKinney Ice Hockey Club (“MIHC”) program, activity, evaluation, tryout, camp, clinic, practice, game, tournament, travel event, or team-related activity, the participant and parent/legal guardian acknowledge and agree to the following:

MIHC is an autonomous Texas nonprofit youth sports organization operating under its Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, Board-approved policies, and applicable requirements established by USA Hockey, the Texas Amateur Hockey Association (“TAHA”), the Texas Scholastic Hockey League (“TSHL”), SafeSport, Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies (“MAAPP”), applicable insurance requirements, and applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Participation in MIHC programs is a privilege and not a right, entitlement, contractual guarantee, or promise of continued participation, team placement, competitive level assignment, playing time, coaching assignment, or access to any specific program, event, or opportunity.

Families acknowledge that youth hockey programs require organizational discretion, competitive evaluation, limited roster capacity, and professional judgment. MIHC retains sole authority and discretion regarding:

• Player eligibility and participation.
• Player evaluations.
• Tryout procedures.
• Team formation.
• Competitive placement.
• Roster selection.
• Player roles and assignments.
• Coaching decisions.
• Program structure and administration.

Families acknowledge that evaluation and placement decisions may involve subjective judgment and multiple considerations, including but not limited to skill development, hockey ability, team needs, competitive balance, positional requirements, player readiness, commitment, coachability, team environment, organizational resources, safety considerations, and the overall mission of MIHC.

Participation in prior seasons, previous roster placement, summer programs, camps, clinics, tournament participation, statistics, financial contributions, family membership, personal expectations, outside evaluations, or opinions regarding a player’s ability do not create any right, guarantee, or expectation of future placement.

Families further acknowledge and agree that:

• Not every player will be placed on their preferred team, competitive level, position, role, or roster.
• Not every player will receive individualized feedback, rankings, evaluations, or explanations regarding selection decisions.
• MIHC is not required to disclose confidential coaching discussions, evaluator notes, internal deliberations, or information regarding other athletes.
• Playing time, line assignments, position assignments, and game decisions remain within the discretion of MIHC coaches and hockey leadership.
• Disagreement with a roster decision, placement decision, coaching decision, or evaluation outcome does not constitute evidence of improper conduct, unfair treatment, or failure to follow MIHC policies.

MIHC reserves the right to establish, modify, restrict, suspend, or terminate participation when reasonably determined necessary to protect:

• Player safety and welfare.
• Compliance with governing-body requirements.
• The integrity of MIHC programs.
• Volunteers, coaches, and participants.
• Organizational resources.
• Insurance obligations.
• The charitable mission and sustainability of the Club.

MIHC may take action when circumstances create unreasonable safety concerns, compliance obligations, administrative burdens, financial impacts, operational challenges, or risks inconsistent with the responsibilities of a Texas nonprofit youth sports organization.

Families acknowledge that MIHC policies are designed to balance individual athlete development with the needs of the entire organization and membership community. No policy, communication, discussion, evaluation, or prior participation shall be interpreted as creating a contractual right, guarantee, or reliance interest regarding future participation or placement.

By participating in MIHC programs, families acknowledge that they have reviewed, understand, and agree to comply with MIHC policies and recognize MIHC’s authority to administer its programs in good faith consistent with its mission, governing requirements, and fiduciary responsibilities.

Final Authority:

The MIHC Board of Directors and designated Hockey Operations leadership retain final authority over organizational governance, participation standards, program administration, and hockey operations decisions. MIHC decisions are made in good faith to promote athlete safety, player development, competitive integrity, and the long-term sustainability of the organization.