In March 2020, representatives from youth hockey organizations across the State of Indiana formed the Indiana State Hockey Association (ISHA). The ISHA is the governing body for both the Indiana Youth Hockey State Championships and the Indiana Elite AAA teams. The eight local hockey organizations from around the state each have a representative who serves on the ISHA Board.

Launched with the 2020-2021 season, the ISHA has offered Indiana Elite AAA hockey as a part-time option for players who are already rostered to a local Indiana hockey team. The Indiana Elite program has provided access to the AAA experience for players in all eight local Indiana organizations. By combining top talent from around the state, Indiana Elite AAA teams have competed with the top programs in the country, and done so as a part-time team.

The Indiana State Hockey Association (ISHA) is excited to announce that beginning with the 2022-2023 season, Indiana Elite AAA will begin offering a full-time team option as well as an Elite Girls travel hockey option. 

“Indiana Elite has shown that by combining the best players from around the state, Indiana has the ability to have a top AAA program not just in this region, but in the country. This opportunity will allow families of top players to play on a full season, Elite AAA team that practices together a majority of the time. And, for the first time, we’re able to bring an elite level of girls travel hockey for top female players in Indiana and surrounding states that don’t have that option locally.” says Derek Edwardson,  ISHA Vice President and Indy Jr. Fuel Director.

With this announcement and endorsement by the ISHA participating organizations, Indiana Elite becomes the state’s only AAA option at 10U-13U. The full-time Indiana Elite AAA program will provide players with over 100 hours of on-ice practice, including 30 hours of professional skills training. Team practices will be held in Indianapolis, conveniently scheduled one-night a week to minimize travel for families; skills and off-ice training will be done at local rinks. The team package also includes a pre-season training camp, five development weekends, and 3 hours of on-ice practice each week. Indiana Elite player fees also provide players with complete uniforms, equipment bags, warm-ups and other IE apparel.

Indiana Elite makes top AAA competition accessible and also affordable for families looking for high-level hockey. The cost of the Indiana Elite AAA program will be one of the most affordable in the region through the support of the teams’ title sponsor, the ECHL’s Indy Fuel. “Indiana Elite powered by Fuel” will be the partnership that takes AAA hockey to a new level in the state of Indiana.

Beginning this coming season, Indiana Elite will compete with these full-time, year-round teams:

• Indiana Elite 16U Girls
• Indiana Elite AAA 2009
• Indiana Elite AAA 2010
• Indiana Elite AAA 2011
• Indiana Elite AAA 2012 

The program will also offer a part-time 14U Girls and 12U Girls team that will compete under the current Indiana Elite format where girls will play for their local programs and get together for high intensity practice weekends and tournaments. 

Tryouts for Indiana Elite AAA teams will be held April 15-16 in Indianapolis. Interested families can click here to register for tryouts https://indianastatehockey.sportngin.com/register/form/133886199.

A parent meeting will be held virtually ahead of tryouts for interested families.