OUR MISSION
Dallas Stars Tournaments is dedicated to bringing an unprecedented tournament experience to each player, coach and family member through a fun, yet competitive atmosphere hosted in world-class facilities in one of the best destinations in the United States. Through our innovative approach of creating an NHL-level experience for both children and adults, the players and their fans can expect a professional tournament, both on and off the ice. Our experienced staff is committed to ensuring that our tournaments are run efficiently, professionally and fairly from check-in to awards presentation and creating a unique tournament environment that blends competitive hockey with all that the Dallas - Fort Worth region has to offer.
While this information page is intended to provide a general summary of Dallas Stars Tournaments Texas Hockey Tournament Series rules, policies and procedures, individual tournament Rules & Regulations supersede information listed herein.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Please be sure to LIKE and FOLLOW us on FACEBOOK (@TexasHockeyTournaments) and TWITTER (@starstourneystx) and INSTAGRAM (@dallasstarstournaments) for the latest tournament information and updates. Children's Health StarCenter & Comerica Center Social Media Policy
SANCTIONING
All Dallas Stars Tournaments are officially sanctioned by USA Hockey. Official tournament sanction information can be found on each individual tournament web page, in most cases, before or by tournament registration closure and/or online team information and roster form submission deadline.
REGISTRATION
Registration is open to all Youth & Adult teams according to the designation, age group and level of the divisions offered for a particular tournament. Registrations are accepted on a first come, first served basis and teams are encouraged to register and pay the tournament entry fee and/or required deposit as soon as possible. As a general rule, registration is open to teams only. However, in certain circumstances Free Agent registration may be offered and will be noted accordingly on the tournament web page and registration form. If Free Agent registration is offered, the Tournament Committee will review and assign additional players from the free agent pool to supplement a team's roster as needed, or will create a new team at a given division/level based on the number of registrants. There are no accommodations, special requests or guarantees that free agent players will be rostered on a particular team or for the tournament. All free agent assignments will be made as determined by the committee.
ACCEPTANCE INTO THE TOURNAMENT
Generally, acceptance into the tournament is automatic upon successful completion of team registration and online payment of the required deposit and/or entry fee. A receipt/acknowledgement will automatically be sent to the email address on file once this is completed. However, acceptance guidelines may vary for each tournament and if so, will be noted accordingly on the tournament web page. In the event that application registration is offered, teams will receive notice of their preliminary acceptance into the tournament. Preliminary acceptance does not guarantee entry into the tournament. In the event that a team is not accepted a full refund will be given.
TEAM REGISTRATION - ENTRY & DEPOSIT FEES
Registration is available online and tournament entry and deposit fees are payable via Credit Card at the time of registration.
DIVISION MINIMUM
As a general rule, in order for any division to take place, four (4) fully paid teams must be signed up prior to the registration close date. If a division does not have four (4) fully paid teams by this date, the tournament committee may elect to extend the registration in an effort to acquire additional teams to fill the division, combine divisions in a particular age group, irrespective of the playing level (e.g. AA, A, B, Gold/Silver, etc.), play a reduced division format (e.g. each team plays each team twice) or cancel the division completely. Should cancellation occur, teams registered for the division will be notified via email once registration closes, and a refund of the registration deposit or full entry fee will be processed as soon as practicable.
TEAM PLACEMENTS
A Credentials Committee is in place who verifies the eligibility of each team to participate in the tournament as required per our Rules & Regulations and USA Hockey Tournament sanction. The committee uses its best efforts to place teams in competitive brackets based on a number of factors, which may include the team’s registration, their registration with USA Hockey, placement in their local league, and the record of the team in league play (assuming a record exists). International teams, and tournament teams with no record of play are placed based on either knowledge of other teams in their local, or from discussion with the respective coach and team manager to gain an understanding of their play, compared to those locally. The Tournament Series Committee and/or Tournament Series Director may, at their sole discretion, align teams or change teams in any particular division or skill level, and/or distribute teams equally to obtain a balanced division, schedule, format and/or competitive level of play. While the Credentials Committee uses its best effort to place teams in the appropriate competitive brackets, all teams are subject to supplemental roster verification at any time in accordance with the tournament Rules & Regulations. Requests for placement in a particular division or level are typically not accepted, will not be automatically granted and are not to be expected. However, the Tournament Series Director and/or Tournament Committee may choose to review division and/or level placement requests and grant exceptions on a case-by-case basis. Any requests for division and/or level placement after registration is closed may not be considered. All decisions of the Credentials Committee, Tournament Series Director and/or Tournament Committee regarding team placements are final. USA Hockey rules do not allow players to play down. Girls are no longer permitted to play down one age bracket when playing on a co-ed team. Team rosters comprising of 100 percent girls are eligible to play one age division down based on the birth date of the oldest player on the team.
REFUNDS
The minimum required amount/deposit due at time of registration is deemed as the registration deposit fee and is non-refundable. Provided a team has paid in full, and request is made prior to registration closure, a full or partial refund may be granted/approved by the Tournament Series Director and/or Tournament Committee (less the registration deposit fee). In certain emergency situations such as: player injuries or other valid medical reasons or natural disaster or state of emergency in the player’s home/home city, the Tournament Series Director and/or Tournament Committee may choose to waive the notice requirement. All refund requests must be made in writing (via email) and accompanied by valid documentation to support the refund request. No refunds will be given once divisions and/or participating teams and/or schedules are posted. *In the event of cancellation of the tournament or particular division due to COVID-19 or other related health-related issue (e.g. local, state or federal mandate, division minimum) a full refund of deposit and/or entry fee will be given. Should the tournament be postponed and/or rescheduled due to COVID-19 or any other issue, deposit and/or entry fee will be applied to the rescheduled or future event.
SANCTIONING
Dallas Stars Tournaments Texas Hockey Tournament Series is governed by USA Hockey and officially sanctioned by the appropriate registrar for the district where tournament events are held.
TEAM ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
Teams should plan to arrive/be available in the D/FW area before or by the day prior to the start of a tournament, regardless of start times on the first day of the tournament. All teams and players should be prepared to play starting early morning on the first day of a tournament. All teams should plan to depart the D/FW area on or after the final day of a tournament, regardless of standings or seeding for final games. Final games are expected to complete by approximately 5:00 PM (CT) on the final day of a tournament. All teams should plan travel accordingly.
ICE FACILITIES
The Dallas Stars own and operate eight (8) ice facilities across the Dallas Metropolitan area containing sixteen (16) sheets of NHL regulation size ice. Each facility is dedicated to NHL-level excellence.
• Children's Health StarCenter - Euless
• Children's Health StarCenter - Farmers Branch
• Comerica Center - Frisco
• Children's Health StarCenter - Mansfield
• Children's Health StarCenter - McKinney
• Children's Health StarCenter - Plano
• Children's Health StarCenter - Richardson
• Children's Health StarCenter - Valley Ranch
Dallas Stars Tournament Series Staff, Venue Coordinator, General Manager and/or rink staff on duty will be available at each facility to answer questions regarding scheduling, tournament events, directions and other matters pertinent to the tournament operation. Each team is responsible for ensuring pertinent information is communicated to all team members on a daily basis. Ice facilities will open approx.1-hour prior to the first games of each day. It is recommended that teams arrive at the rink at least 45 minutes to 1-hour prior to game time. Locker room keys are available from, and must be returned to, the rink staff at the front desk. Locker rooms must be vacated and cleaned, within thirty minutes from the time a game ends. Each team needs to ensure that locker room is clean (no remaining trash/tape/food/drink) prior to vacating it. Team representatives are responsible for all damage done to the locker room or the facility. Any person causing damage to tournament facility(s) and/or tournament or facility(s) property will be fined commensurate with the damage and will be removed from the premises and/or suspended from all tournament activities and/or venues until the fine is paid in full. All persons are subject to prosecution to the fullest extent of the law.
TOURNAMENT RULES & REGULATIONS
Dallas Stars Tournaments Texas Hockey Tournament Series is governed by the rules of USA Hockey and established Rules, Regulations, Policies & Procedures that apply specifically to Dallas Stars Tournaments Texas Hockey Tournament Series events, including Youth Tournaments, Adult Tournaments, Tournament Venues/Game Locations. All tournament games are played according to the rules and regulations of USA Hockey, except where noted. Any exceptions to the rules and regulations of USA Hockey are approved by the appropriate registrar and the host affiliate association. Tournament Rules, Regulations, Policies & Procedures supersede any/all documentation and/or communications related to Tournament events. Tournament Rules, Regulations, Policies & Procedures may differ for each tournament and/or each location where tournament events are held. it is the responsibility of each team and all tournament participants to be familiar with Tournament Rules, Regulations, Policies & Procedures. ALL coaches, players, team representatives, parents, families, friends & fans are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Tournament Rules, Regulations, Policies & Procedures prior to the start of the tournament. Tournament Rules, Regulations, Policies & Procedures can be found on the each individual tournament website.
ROSTER REQUIREMENTS
Roster submission must follow the process as outlined in the Tournament Rules & Regulations and be completed by each team on or before the requested deadline. No other methods of submission will be accepted unless approved (and/or directed) by the Tournament Series Director. Canadian teams must submit Travel Permits a minimum of 30-days prior to the start of a tournament, prior to acceptance into the tournament. All players & coaches must have valid/current registration (e.g. USA Hockey, Hockey Canada) or be duly registered with the appropriate governing body and play at the appropriate age group/level according to current season USA Hockey Age Classifications. A minimum and/or maximum number of players (e.g. Skaters + Goalies) and/or coaches may be specified for an individual tournament. Players can only be rostered on one (1) team and will NOT be allowed to play for multiple teams, regardless of what division the teams are in. No combining of teams/players or substitutions will be accepted. Team Representatives are responsible for ensuring that all team rosters are completed accurately and that all roster requirements are satisfied as required. ALL team rosters are reviewed by the Tournament Series Director and/or Tournament Committee prior to the start of the tournament. Team Representative(s) may be contacted by a member of the Tournament Credentials Committee at any time should there be any questions or concerns and/or if any additional information is required. Requests for roster exceptions will not be automatically granted and are not to be expected. The Tournament Series Director and/or Tournament Committee may choose to review roster exception requests and grant exceptions on a case-by-case basis. Any requests for roster exceptions within 72-hours of the start of the tournament may not be considered. However, in the event of a player injury, or other urgent need (e.g. emergency goalie) the Tournament Series Director and/or Tournament Committee may choose to review emergency roster exception requests, determine substitute player eligibility and grant approval at any time. All decisions of the Tournament Series Director and/or Tournament Committee regarding team rosters are final.
TOURNAMENT FORMAT
Tournament Divisions, Participating Teams, Game Locations and Format are made available via the tournament website approximately 7-10 days prior to the start of a tournament. One or more Subdivisions may be created in each Division based on a number of factors. Teams are placed in appropriate Divisions and/or Subdivisions as determined by the Credentials Committee and as described in the Team Placement section above. Tournament format for each division and/or subdivision may vary (e.g. round-robin, semi-final, final, consolation games) based on a number of factors. Unless otherwise specified, a 4-Game Minimum is standard for all Dallas Stars Tournaments. Quarter-Final, Semi-Final or Consolation games may be played, but are not guaranteed. Championship and/or consolation games may result in an additional game for some teams on the final day of the tournament.
TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Tournament game schedules are made available on HockeyShift and communicated via email to tournament participants as soon as practicable, following registration closure. Typically, schedules are targeted to be released approximately 5-7 days prior to the start of a tournament. However, there may be certain circumstances which may delay the release of the schedule. Therefore, All teams and players should be prepared to play starting early morning on the first day of a tournament. As a general rule, first games of each day typically start at 7:00 AM CT or later. However, based on a number of factors including location, ice availability, age group, level, size of division, etc., first games of each day may start prior to 7:00 AM CT, but no earlier than 6:00 AM CT. Unless otherwise specified, teams may expect to play one or more games (morning/afternoon/evening) on the first day of the tournament, one or more games (morning/afternoon/evening) on the second day of the tournament and one or more games (morning/afternoon) on the final day of the tournament. All games are expected to complete by 5:00 PM (CT) on the final day of the tournament. While changes to the schedule, divisions and/or tournament game format are not anticipated once the schedule is released, there may be occasions where modifications do occur and team representatives are responsible for monitoring the tournament website and/or HockeyShift for potential changes and communicating with their teams accordingly. In the event that changes to the schedule, divisions and/or tournament game format should occur once the tournament has commenced, any modifications will be communicated to impacted team(s) and/or division(s) as soon as practicable.
SCHEDULE, SCORES & STANDINGS VIA HOCKEYSHIFT
All schedules, scores and standings will be updated via HockeyShift (http://starcenter.hockeyshift.com) and viewable on the Dallas Stars Tournaments website (http://www.dallasstars.com/tournaments and/or http://www.dallasstarstournaments.com) throughout the tournament event. This online scoring system contains game schedules and up to date placements for finals. Bracket boards will not be posted at the rink and teams will need to monitor HockeyShift for updates on the Finals. All tournament participants are responsible for monitoring HockeyShift throughout the tournament event. In addition, all team representatives are responsible for checking the rink front desk for any schedule changes, suspensions and other important information and ensuring pertinent information is communicated to all team members on a daily basis.
TOURNAMENT GAMESHEETS/SCORESHEETS
A copy of the score sheet may be obtained from the tournament website (HockeyShift) after the game concludes. No hard copy game sheets will be handed out. To download a gamesheet, click on 'FINAL' link on the game/record list. Then, click on the 'GAMESHEET" link in the upper right hand corner to the far right of the SUMMARY title to view/download a .pdf copy of the gamesheet. Each team representative is responsible for checking the accuracy of the score sheet and may report any discrepancies to the Tournament Series Staff (tournaments@dallasstars.com) prior to the start of the next scheduled game. All requests for changes and/or corrections to the score sheet must meet the criteria as outlines in the Tournament Rules & Regulations and must be submitted in writing by the Team Manager, Head Coach or Officially rostered Team Representative. The Tournament Series Director and/or Tournament Series Committee will not overturn any dispute concerning rules and / or the judgment applied by on-ice officials.
TOURNAMENT OFFICIALS
The Dallas Stars Tournament Series is governed by the rules of USA Hockey. The Dallas Stars Tournament Series Director and/or Tournament Series Committee may answer any questions regarding specific hockey issues and is responsible for all inquiries or disputes regarding application of rules, interpretation of rules, player eligibility, supplemental disciplinary action and any other procedural disputes. All officials that oversee tournament games are certified by USA Hockey. On-ice officials are the governing body on the ice. The Tournament Series Director and/or Tournament Series Committee will not overturn any dispute concerning rules and / or the judgment applied by on-ice officials. All decisions of the Dallas Stars Tournament Series Director and/or Tournament Series Committee are final.
GAME PUCKS, WARM-UP PUCKS & WATER BOTTLES
Game Pucks are supplied for each tournament. Warm-Up Pucks and Water Bottles are not provided, unless otherwise specified in the Tournament Rules & Regulations or tournament website.
PLAYER EQUIPMENT
All players, including goalkeepers, are required to wear a mouth guard. Per USA Hockey Rules and Hockey Canada Rules Agreement, all Canadian teams/players must wear certified throat protectors. USA Hockey Compliant Helmets (HECC Certified) must be worn at all times while on the ice during warm-ups, games, handshake line and in the bench area.
PLAYER'S BENCH
All team coaches and/or official team representatives may occupy the player’s bench prior to the completion of the ice resurfacing. ALL PLAYERS SHALL REMAIN OFF THE ICE SURFACE UNTIL THE ZAMBONI DOORS HAVE BEEN COMPLETELY CLOSED, NETS ARE IN PLACE AND ON-ICE OFFICIALS ARE PRESENT. Failure to do so may result in a minor penalty assessment. With the exception of the tournament finals, all players shall exit the ice surface immediately after the center ice handshakes. The only team officials allowed on the player’s bench during a game are those registered with USA Hockey with appropriate/required Coaching Credentials and certifications and listed on the team’s official roster, USA Hockey 1-T Form or Hockey Canada Official Roster. Teams are limited to a maximum of 4 team officials and a maximum of 18 skaters and 2 goalies on the player's bench at any given time. A player or goalkeeper on the Official Team Roster who is unable to play due to suspension, injury or other valid reason, may attend tournament games but are not allowed on the players’ bench or surrounding area. All parents, visitors and spectators are to remain away from the player’s bench and penalty box areas. Team photographers/photography is not permitted from the player’s bench. Individuals listed as Volunteers or Team Managers may not participate in on-ice activities or be on the Player’s Bench during games
PENALTY BOX ATTENDANT
Each team is responsible to provide its own penalty box monitor or attendant. Monitors are strictly there to assist the player with opening and closing the door. They are required to not be an impact to the game, or become verbally active with any game official. Penalty box monitors may not use phones, cameras or any other photographic equipment or electronic devices while in the penalty box area. Any such activity will result in immediate removal from the penalty box area, and possibly the rink for the duration of the tournament. All parents, visitors and spectators are to remain away from the player’s bench and penalty box areas.
MEDICAL STAFF & TRAINERS
Dallas Stars Tournaments may supply one or more Athletic Trainers on site at each facility for the duration of the tournament. Athletic Trainers are there to prevent, evaluate, and treat injuries.
LIVEBARN
LiveBarn broadcasts tournament games Live & On Demand from all Dallas Stars owned ice facilities. A 10% DISCOUNT on an individual LiveBarn subscription is offered to all tournament participants, families, friends and fans by using PROMO CODE: star-2022. LiveBarn allows subscribers to follow along with the action Live & On Demand via any web-enabled device, share highlights via social media & email and download and save tournament games. Subscribers may submit your team's great plays for a chance to be featured in LiveBarn Highlight & Plays of the Week videos. Visit http://broadcast.livebarn.com/dallas-stars-tournaments/ for additional details. The Tournament Series Director and/or Tournament Series Committee may choose to monitor LiveBarn video footage throughout the tournament. LiveBarn is not intended to be used by tournament participants for submission to Tournament Officials and/or Staff as a means to determine whether or not an on-ice action caught on video is deserving of disciplinary action. As a general rule, the Tournament Series Director and/or Tournament Series Committee will not overturn any dispute concerning rules and/or the judgment applied by on-ice officials. However, the Tournament Series Director and/or the Tournament Series Committee may choose to review LiveBarn video footage or clips on a case-by-case basis. All decisions of the Dallas Stars Tournament Series Director and/or Tournament Series Committee are final.
PHOTOGRAPHY
The tournament may designate an official photographer for the event. Taking photos of players from the player’s bench or above the glass is not allowed for safety and competitive reasons. The Tournament Photographer is an approved vendor of the Dallas Stars, StarCenters and any venue in which the tournament event(s) is being held, and all other vendors or persons will be asked to leave the facility. Individuals who do not comply may also be asked to leave.
APPAREL
The tournament may designate an official apparel provider for the event. The Tournament Apparel provider may be setup at one or more location(s) during the event. The Tournament Apparel provider is an approved vendor of the Dallas Stars, Children's Health StarCenters, Comerica Center and any venue in which the tournament event(s) is being held. All other non-approved vendors or persons will be asked to leave the facility. Individuals who do not comply may also be asked to leave.
BEST INTEREST OF THE TOURNAMENT
The Tournament Series Director and/or Tournament Series Committee is responsible for all inquiries or disputes regarding interpretation or application of rules, player eligibility, disciplinary action and any other procedural disputes. The Tournament Series Director and/or Tournament Series Committee is solely responsible for enforcement of the rules contained herein and determination of any disciplinary measures for any violation for any rule contained herein, which may include any action deemed appropriate by the Tournament Series Committee up to and including disqualification of a team from the tournament. While the majority of rules and policies needed to ensure smooth operation of the tournament are addressed herein, there may be issues, circumstances or situations arise that may not have been addressed or may appear ambiguous to one or more participants (teams, players, coaches, parents, etc.). In all cases the Tournament Series Director and/or Tournament Series Committee reserves the right to interpret policies and rules, or add, amend or remove any Dallas Stars Tournaments procedure, policy, rule or regulation, including, but not limited to, playing rules, roster or eligibility rules, game schedules or format, select or permit qualified teams to participate in the tournament or to align or change teams in any particular skill level or division at any time, in the best interest of the tournament. Should an issue, situation or circumstance arise that is not explicitly addressed herein, the Tournament Series Director and/or Tournament Series Committee, at its discretion may rule on the issue, circumstance or situation and act accordingly. The Tournament Series Director will not overturn any dispute concerning rules and /or the judgment applied by on-ice officials. All decisions of the Dallas Stars Tournament Series Director and or Tournament Series Committee are final.
