USA Hockey Approves Development League for Female Players

USA Hockey Approves New Development League for 2027-28, Female Participation Set to Top 100,000

By Youth Sports Business Report 

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Key Takeaways

• USA Hockey Congress approved the Development League (DL), a network of 32 Tier I programs at the 15U and 17U levels launching in 2027-28

• Female player registration is expected to surpass 100,000 for the first time in USA Hockey history this season

• The DL is not a traditional league but a collaboration of programs committed to American Development Model (ADM) guidelines

• Year-over-year growth was reported across players, coaches, and officials

• The U.S. enters the upcoming Olympics and Paralympics as the top-ranked team in men’s, women’s, and sled hockey

Development League Structure Takes Shape

USA Hockey’s Congress approved the establishment of the USA Hockey Development League during last week’s Winter Meeting in Nashville. The four-day event brought together more than 350 hockey leaders from across the country.

The DL will operate differently from traditional leagues. Instead of a centralized competition structure, it will function as a network of 32 Tier I youth programs working together to optimize player development at the 15U and 17U age levels. Each participating program will form DL teams committed to following American Development Model guidelines.

Program selection will be based on factors such as past performance, commitment to player development, and a history of player advancement. A full program guidebook is expected by the beginning of May, with the league set to launch in the 2027-28 season.

“The DL is the next step forward in advancing our high-performance efforts in serving the hockey community,” said Mike Trimboli, president of USA Hockey. “While we’re excited about what the future will bring, there is still much work to be done to be ready to launch the DL in time for the 2027-28 season.”

Participation Numbers Show Continued Growth

USA Hockey reported year-over-year increases in players, coaches, and officials during the meeting. The most notable milestone: female player registration is on track to exceed 100,000 for the first time in the organization’s history.

Donna Kaufman, vice president of USA Hockey and chair of the Membership Council, along with Ted Devine, assistant executive director of membership, presented new analytics tools during a Saturday Town Hall session. The presentation included how USA Hockey plans to use AI to help affiliates and programs better understand participation trends and identify opportunities to attract new families to the sport.

The Congress also approved membership fees for the 2026-27 season, with adjustments guided by the consumer price index.

U.S. Teams Enter Olympic Year Ranked First

General managers Bill Guerin (men’s), Katie Million (women’s), and Dan Brennan (sled) addressed attendees during a Friday Town Hall. All three U.S. programs entering the upcoming Olympics and Paralympics ranked first in the world in their respective disciplines.

What the DL Means for Youth Hockey’s Next Chapter

The Development League represents USA Hockey’s latest effort to standardize elite player development across its fragmented youth landscape. By connecting 32 programs under shared ADM principles, the organization aims to create more consistent pathways for high-performance athletes at critical development ages.

With participation growing and female hockey reaching a historic milestone, USA Hockey appears focused on building infrastructure to support long-term demand. The next several months will determine how effectively the DL framework translates from approval to execution.

The Hockey Resource
Because development happens everywhere—even in the seats.

The USA Hockey Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit established in 1989 that serves as the charitable arm of USA Hockey, providing long-range financial support to grow, promote, and sustain the sport across the U.S. It funds initiatives in youth, adult, and disabled hockey, including player development, education, and safety. 

Key aspects of the foundation include:

• Funding & Support: It provides grants to hockey organizations and programs, such as the Brianna Decker Endowment for Girls Hockey, which supports 8U/10U female programs.

• Mission: Increase participation, enhance education/training for high-performance athletes, and secure the future of the game.

• Donations: The foundation accepts tax-deductible donations to support its various initiatives.

• Leadership: As of 2024, the foundation managed significant assets, with over $57M in total assets reported. 

For more information, you can visit their website https://www.usahockeyfoundation.com/.