hockey age group initiation

Hockey Canada announces change to age-division names

Changes to simplify the minor hockey system to go into effect next season

NR.083.19
|
November 18, 2019
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CALGARY, Alta. – At its Winter Congress this weekend in Montreal, the Hockey Canada membership approved a regulation change proposed by the board of directors to revise the naming of the age divisions used in minor hockey across Canada.

Following the recommendations of a task team, the age divisions will become U7, U9, U11 through to U21, impacting all minor and female hockey programs under the Hockey Canada umbrella. The change was initiated by Hockey Canada and its 13 provincial and territorial members and will be implemented nationally with their input and support for the 2020-21 season.

Minor Hockey Age Division Chart | 2020-21 Season

Year of Birth Age on Dec. 31, 2020 Age Division
2014 and earlier 6 or under Under-7 (U7)
2013 7 Under-9 (U9)
2012 8
2011 9 Under-11 (U11)
2010 10
2009 11 Under-13 (U13)
2008 12
2007 13 Under-15 (U15)
2006 14
2005 15 Under-18 (U18)
2004 16
2003 17
2000-2001-2002 18-19-20 Under-21 (U21)

“We believe everyone should feel welcome in the game and in our on-going effort to make hockey more inclusive, the Members at the Hockey Canada Annual Meeting determined that the names of our age Divisions will change,” said Michael Brind’Amour, chair of the Hockey Canada Board of Directors. “Following a comprehensive review, we believe this change will simplify the system for families who may be new to the game. The new age Division names will be implemented for next season.”

For more information on Hockey Canada and its minor hockey programs, please visit HockeyCanada.ca or HockeyCanada.ca/MinorHockey.

For more information:

Esther Madziya
Manager, Communications
Hockey Canada

(403) 284-6484 

[email protected] 

Spencer Sharkey
Manager, Communications
Hockey Canada

(403) 777-4567

[email protected]

Jeremy Knight
Manager, Corporate Communications
Hockey Canada

(647) 251-9738

[email protected]

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