Tom Koester, The President of the Atlantic District of USA Hockey, sent us the following memorandum regarding use of blue pucks in mite hockey games:

Recently it has been brought to our attention that several Mite teams have been practicing and playing games with black pucks instead of the mandated blue pucks.

Please note that using black pucks in a Mite game is a violation of USA Hockey Rule 306 paragraph (b) which states "For the 8-or-under (Youth) and for 8-or-under (Girls) and below age classifications, it is required that the puck weigh between four ounces and four and a half ounces and be blue in color.

If a black puck is used in practices or games and an injury takes place that coach, officials, organization, officers of that organization and anyone else involved with the team could possibly be sued personally for all medical expenses plus pain and suffering incurred by the player. The reason they might be personally responsible would be the fact that they violated USA Hockey Rules and therefore are not covered by USA Hockey's insurance policy.