Minnesota Hockey

NOTE:  Appeals are governed by Minnesota Hockey Bylaws, Article 6, as found in the current Minnesota Hockey Handbook. 

1.  The appealing party must provide a basis for the appeal by referring to the relevant rules and/or regulations. In addition, describing why the previous decisions made were flawed or incorrect. These elements are essential when considering the basis for appeal. Appeal requests lacking this information may be rejected for cause.

2.  The following procedures shall apply to any appeal:

A.  Any appeal to the Minnesota Hockey Grievance Committee shall be filed with the Chairman of the committee through this online form (Scroll to the bottom of the page to continue) or in writing via paper form.  Any accompanying documentation must also be submitted through this form or sent with the paper appeal form to the Chair.

B.  All appeals submitted in paper form must be completed on the Minnesota Hockey Appeal Form, and must be signed by the local association president if the appeal is by the association, or the appealing member, parent or guardian.  It is very important that all documents submitted are legible.

C.  Any appeal must be received within ten (10) calendar days of the decision which is the subject of the appeal.

D.  All appeals shall be handled by documentation only. Unless deemed necessary by the committee, no personal appearances are permitted. 

3.  The Minnesota Hockey Grievance Committee may modify the action taken by the initial hearing body, including decreasing, leaving it the same or increasing the action taken.

4.  Only the evidence and theories explicitly presented in the initial decision shall be presented or considered for the appeal, unless there is new evidence that was not available at time of the initial decision.  In the event of new evidence, it shall be presented to the Minnesota Hockey Grievance Committee by the appealing party at the time of filing the appeal to the Minnesota Hockey Grievance Committee.  It is possible that the new evidence may require that the matter be referred back to the initial decision maker.

5.  The burden of proof is on the appealing party to have a decision modified or reversed.  The basis for modification or reversal are:

A.  A gross abuse of discretion by the initial decision maker.

B.  Failure to follow Minnesota Hockey or USA Hockey's by-laws or rules and regulations that substantially and adversely impact the decision.

C.  Findings not based on the hearing, investigations or experience or expertise of the decision maker that substantially and adversely impacts the decision.

D.  Decision is not supported by findings.

6.  Disagreement with the findings of the decision maker is not grounds for modification or reversal.

7.  If any rational basis for a decision or finding exists, the decision or finding will be upheld.  The fact that another reasonable decision or finding or inference can be made will not be grounds for modification or reversal.

8.  The committees of Minnesota Hockey are presumed to have experience and expertise in the areas of their responsibility and that experience and expertise will be deferred to on appeal.

9.  A $500.00 appeal fee must be paid to initiate an appeal. This fee shall be returned upon the Grievance Committee ruling in favor of the appellant. If the Minnesota Hockey Grievance Committee determines that the original decision was valid, the $500.00 fee will be retained by Minnesota Hockey.

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