History of USA Hockey in Timeline

USA Hockey, the governing body for organized ice hockey in the United States, is recognized by both the International Olympic Committee and the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee. A member of the International Ice Hockey Federation, USA Hockey was known as the Amateur Hockey Association of the United States (AHAUS) until June 1991. It oversees organized ice hockey within the U.S.

October 29, 1937: Founding of AHAUS

On October 29, 1937, the Amateur Hockey Association of the United States (AHAUS) was founded in New York City by Tommy Lockhart. The organization was created to streamline the governance of ice hockey in the US.

September 1938: Agreement with CAHA

In September 1938, AHAUS and the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association (CAHA) signed an agreement to regulate international games, player transfers, and recognize each other's authority.

1938: First National Championships

USA Hockey held the first national ice hockey championship tournaments in 1938.

1940: Formation of the International Ice Hockey Association

In 1940, AHAUS, led by Tommy Lockhart, joined with the CAHA to form the International Ice Hockey Association. Lockhart served as the vice-president.

1947: IIHF Recognition

In 1947, AHAUS gained recognition from the Ligue Internationale de Hockey sur Glace (IIHF) as the governing body for ice hockey in the United States, replacing the Amateur Athletic Union.

1949: First National Hockey Tournaments

In 1949, Lockhart organized the first national ice hockey tournaments for pre-high school boys.

May 19, 1968: Establishment of the US Hockey Hall of Fame

On May 19, 1968, Tommy Lockhart announced the creation of the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in Eveleth, Minnesota.

1972: New USA Hockey President

William Thayer Tutt succeeded Tommy Lockhart as president of USA Hockey in 1972.

June 1991: AHAUS becomes USA Hockey

In June 1991, the Amateur Hockey Association of the United States (AHAUS) officially changed its name to USA Hockey.

2006: NTDP Players in NHL Draft

Six former NTDP players, including Erik Johnson as the first overall pick, were selected in the first round of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.

2007: NTDP Success in NHL Draft

In the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, four NTDP players were chosen in the first round, including Patrick Kane and James van Riemsdyk as the first and second overall picks, respectively.

2009: NTDP League Change

In 2009, the NTDP switched from competing in the North American Hockey League to the United States Hockey League.

2012: Former NTDP Players in NHL

During the 2012-13 NHL season, 60 former players from the National Team Development Program played in the NHL.

2013: NTDP Players Drafted to NHL

As of 2013, 228 players from the National Team Development Program had been drafted into the NHL.

2016: Youth Division Name Changes

Starting in the 2016-17 season, USA Hockey changed the naming convention for its youth divisions from names like "Mite", "Squirt", and "Peewee" to using the oldest age in the group.

2022: 2022 National Championships

The 2022 Chipotle-USA Hockey National Championships crowned champions in 25 different classifications across nine locations in the US, with winners from 17 different states.