Hockey Canada announces change to age-division names

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.

YEAR OF BIRTH      AGE ON DEC. 31           NEW DIVISION               CURRENT DIVISION

2014 and before           6 and under                           Under-7 (U7)                    Timbit Initiation

2012-2013                    7-8                                        Under-9 (U9)                    Novice

2010-2011                    9-10                                      Under-11 (U11)                Atom

2008-2009                    11-12                                    Under-13 (U13)                Pee Wee

2006-2007                    13-14                                    Under-15 (U15)               Bantam

2003-2004-2005          15-16-17                               Under-18 (U18)               Midget

2000-2001-2002          18-19-20                               Under-21 (U21)                Junior

“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.”