The GTHL has announced the tiering format that three divisions will follow this season. Each division containing 17 or more teams will follow a similar format with slight adjustments. The format has been introduced in order to ensure games remain competitive and fun for all teams involved.

Atom “AA” West 

18 teams

Stage 1
A single round robin of 17 games to start the season.  This is a balanced schedule.

Stage 2
Tier 1 has 8 teams. A triple round robin will be played with 21 more games. In total, this group will play 38 games. Stage 2 will be balanced.

Tier 2 has 10 teams. A double round robin will take place adding 18 games, for a total of 35 games and a 36th game will be based on a random draw of opponents.  In total, this group will play 36 games. Stage 2 will be unbalanced.

Minor Peewee “AA” West & Peewee “AA” West

17 teams

Stage 1
A single round robin of 16 games to start the season. This is balanced.

Stage 2
Tier 1 has 8 teams.  A triple round robin will be played with 21 more games. In total, this group will play 37 games. Stage 2 will be balanced.

Tier 2 has 9 teams. A double round robin would take place adding 16 games for a total to make it 32 games. Games 33 to 36 will be based on a random draw of opponents. In total, this group will play 36 games. Stage 2 will be unbalanced.

Play-In Round

The top 4 teams in Tier 1 qualify for the playoffs.

A play-in round of one game playoffs will determine the remaining 4 playoff spots under this format.

Tier 1-5^th place vs. Tier 2-4^th place.

Tier 1-6^th place vs. Tier 2-3^rd place.

Tier 1-7^th place vs. Tier 2-2^nd place.

Tier 1-8^th place vs. Tier 2-1^st place.

Notes:

• There is no extra cost for divisions playing more than 36 games.
• The one game tie-breaker for the last playoff spot would only apply if a tie for 4^th place in Tier 2 occurs. All other positions will be determined by GTHL tie-breaker rules.
• The random draw of opponents will be in a lottery format to take place at the GTHL office.
• This schedule format and playoff format was presented to the GTHL members in February of 2017 and implemented for the 2017-2018 season.
• Points from stage 1 will carry into stage 2.

FAQ

Which position is considered the last playoff spot for the use of a one-game tie-breaker as per rule 11.2?
A tie for 4^th place in Tier 2 would require the use of rule 11.2 where a one-game playoff would occur. All other positions will be determined using the tie-breaking rules to seed teams.

How will the opponents be determined for the 1^st, 2^nd , 3^rd and 4^th place teams in Tier 1?
The seedings for the 1st round of the playoffs will be determined by seeding the 4 winning teams in the following order.

1. 5^th place in Tier 1
2. 6^th place in Tier 1
3. 7^th place in Tier 1
4. 8^th place in Tier 1
5. 1^st place in Tier 2
6. 2^nd place in Tier 2
7. 3^rd place in Tier 2
8. 4^th place in Tier 2

The highest remaining seed would play the 4^th place team in Tier 1.
The second highest remaining seed would play the 3^rd place team in Tier 1.
The third highest remaining seed would play the 2^nd  place team in Tier 1.
The fourth highest remaining seed would play the 1^st  place team in Tier 1.