2022-23 PROGRAM SUMMARY

Tier 2 travel hockey includes sub-designations such as Tier 2 AA (the highest level of Tier 2 competition), Tier 2 A, Tier 2 B, and so on.

While USA Hockey protects the level of competition at Tier 1 AAA by limiting Tier 1 status and restricting Tier 1 associations to one team per birth year, Tier 2 is open to all associations and all teams. 

We offer single birth year co-ed Tier 2 programming from 9U through 16U, and a combined birth year program at 18U.

Our Tier 2 girls program offers combined birth year programming at 10U, 12U, 14U and 16/19U.

Junior Canes Tier 2 teams are designated within each birth year or age group as follows:

• Junior Canes Black (top team)
• Junior Canes Red (2nd team)
• Junior Canes White (3rd team)

Most associations will designate their top team as "AA" and 2nd team as "A" without any consideration for the appropriate level of competition. The Junior Canes use team color designations instead as our 2nd and 3rd single-birth year teams typically compete at the same level as other associations' top combined-birth year teams.

Our Tier 2 program is geared specifically towards high-performance and high-potential players who are focused on development and advancement.

• Structured by single birth year for consistency with other top Tier 2 programs throughout the US
• Multiple levels of competition within each birth year to provide each player with the competitive and developmental environment best suited to align with their long-term goals
• One consistent level of programming to invest equally in all Tier 2 players within a birth year, regardless of level
• Up to 90% more ice time than other area AA programs
• Participation in 4+ tournaments
• HUDL video analysis for all 13U+ teams

All 13U+ co-ed and girls Tier 2 teams have the option to be National Bound, competing for a spot in the USA Hockey Tier 2 National Championships by way of qualification through the CAHA North Carolina State Championship. 

Our 9U through 18U evaluation and development process leads to significant player advancement each year with Tier 2 players consistently moving to Tier 1 AAA rosters or "higher" Tier 2 rosters within our program each off-season.

Additionally, our Tier 2 players receive a level of exposure unavailable anywhere else within our area, earning invitations to USA Hockey District and National ID camps each summer.

To introduce 6U and 8U players to the Junior Canes 9U through 18U process, we partner with Polar Hurricanes Hockey League and other recreational/developmental programs like Hillsborough Hogs and Canes Girls Hockey to provide a supplemental training and competitive experience.

Super 8 is an open registration program that provides interested athletes with an additional night of training each week and the opportunity to compete in 3+ travel tournaments during the course of a season. 

Program participants are grouped by skill level to ensure that each player receives the specific development they need as they prepare to pursue travel hockey at 9U