No school team?
You can still play.
The draft is how players without a school team can get onto a high school hockey roster. Register by September 1 — $300 deposit by check or money order, or $310 by card. The draft is Thursday, September 3.
Who can enter the draft?
One question decides it.
Does your school district have a hockey team this season?
If you’re not sure, check the Team Finder (not yet updated for Patchogue-Medford). Private-school families: search the finder by school name.
No team in your district — you can enter
Districts with no team this season include:
- Babylon
- Deer Park
- Mattituck-Cutchogue
- Patchogue-Medford
- Riverhead
- Shoreham-Wading River
- Westhampton Beach
Patchogue-Medford is new to this list — the Team Finder hasn’t been updated yet.
The Team Finder lists every Suffolk district. If yours shows Pool Eligible, you can enter.
Your district has a team — try out first
Cut from the team? Ask that team’s General Manager (GM) for a cut slip (the SCHSHL Cut Form); your club’s own page, linked from the Clubs page, has contacts. The cut slip lets you enter the draft.
Cut players register the same way as everyone else — draft form and deposit by September 1.
Made the team? You don’t need the draft.
Skipped tryouts? Then you can’t enter the draft. You must try out for whatever team your district fields.
Situation doesn’t match either box, or the Team Finder looks wrong for your school? Ask the league before you register. That includes schools marked “Not fielding a team in 2026-27” on the Team Finder.
How the draft works
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1.Register online
Fill out the draft form by September 1. Pay the deposit: $300 by check or money order (personal checks accepted through August 31) or $310 by card. Payment instructions are on the form — the league’s own, hosted on JotForm.
After you submit, you’re sent to the League Registration Form: complete that too. You’re not registered until both are in.
You’ll need a 2026-27 USA Hockey number. Don’t have one? Register at USA Hockey first; your number is emailed to you, so do it before you start the draft form.
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2.You’re in the pool
You’re in the pool of registered, paid players that varsity and JV GMs draft from. There may be an on-ice skate so coaches can watch you play. The league will send you the details.
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3.The draft — Sept 3
Varsity and JV GMs pick players from the pool to fill their rosters. Freshmen aren’t picked by GMs; the league places them on teams as needed.
GMs can only draft players who are in the pool. If you’re not registered and paid by September 1, you can’t be picked.
Goalies: the league needs you
Goalies are in short supply across the league this season. A goalie in the pool could be starting this winter. Register by September 1. The same eligibility rules above apply.
Register now
Key dates
- Before you register
- Get a 2026-27 USA Hockey number at USA Hockey; the draft form requires it.
- August 31
- Last day to pay the deposit by personal check. After this date, money order or card.
- September 1
- Registration closes. The pool is set.
- September 3
- Draft day. GMs pick from the pool.
Good to know
What grades can play?
Varsity is grades 9–12. JV is grades 9–11. The Freshman division is age-based: at least 12, and Freshman players can’t turn 16 before or during the season. No player may turn 19 before September 1. In middle school? Check the eligibility page or ask the league.
I was drafted in a past season. Do I re-enter?
No. You go back to the team that drafted you. If your home district holds tryouts, you must attend them first. Moving up from Freshman to JV? You enter the draft again.
What if I miss the deadline?
You may not be able to play high school hockey this season. Don’t wait until the last day.
Not sure yet? Get draft updates instead.
Not ready to register yet?
Leave your info and the league can reach you with draft updates, including the on-ice skate if there is one.
You can also register for the draft now.