USA Hockey Discreetly Bans Trans Athletes Amid ‘Heated Rivalry’ Craze

USA Hockey has quietly implemented a new policy that bans transgender athletes from competing in leagues aligned with their gender identity. This decision stems from a Participant Eligibility Policy adopted in November 2022, which imposes significant restrictions on trans athletes’ participation in the sport.

Major Changes in Eligibility Policy

Previously, USA Hockey’s guidelines allowed trans women and girls to compete in women’s leagues after completing a year of testosterone suppression. Trans men were required to participate in men’s leagues upon starting testosterone treatment. Nonbinary players were able to join any league for which they fulfilled the criteria. The updated policy, however, has eliminated these provisions.

New Registration Guidelines

• All athletes must register according to their sex assigned at birth.
• Trans men undergoing male hormone therapy are barred from women’s leagues.
• Co-ed programs are now the primary option for many trans athletes.

The updated policy claims that most USA Hockey programs are co-ed. This includes youth leagues, school athletic programs, and leagues for disabled players, offering some inclusivity despite the new restrictions.

Reaction to the Policy Changes

The ban has sparked outrage within the hockey community. Harrison Browne, the first openly transgender hockey player, criticized the policy in an Instagram post on January 22. He stated that these restrictions create unsafe environments for gender non-conforming individuals and effectively exclude them from the sport.

Background and Impact

The new eligibility rules were introduced at the request of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC). This organization necessitated that national governing bodies adhere to federal guidelines, resulting in USA Hockey’s recent decision to ban trans women from women’s Olympic competitions. These updates are linked to a broader trend of anti-trans policies initiated under previous presidential administrations.

Effective April 1, 2026, these eligibility rules will significantly restrict trans athletes’ ability to compete for national teams, including those governed by USA Hockey and those involved with the International Ice Hockey Federation.