COVID-19 Update - Hockey Canada Statement

The following is a statement on behalf of Hockey Canada from Tom Renney, chief executive officer, and Scott Smith, president and chief operating officer, on the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

“Without question, this an unprecedented period of difficulty for the sports world. The health and safety of all participants in sport, including players, coaches, staff, officials, fans, family, volunteers and the general public, is of the utmost importance to Hockey Canada.

After much consultation with the Hockey Canada membership, our chief medical officer and public health officials, the Hockey Canada Board of Directors has made the decision to cancel all Hockey Canada-sanctioned activities*, including our national championships, until further notice, effective Friday, March 13, 2020.

We recognize the tremendous effort that has been put forth all year by individuals across the country as they participate in Canada’s game. Although it is difficult to process the hockey season ending abruptly, we feel this is the best course of action in order to do our part in keeping our country safe.”

*Hockey Canada-sanctioned activities include all Hockey Alberta-sanctioned activities. This means that all Hockey Alberta league games, playoffs, practices, camps and Provincial, Regional and National Championships are cancelled at the Minor, Female, Junior, Senior and Sledge levels.

CALGARY – 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 and up, 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.

Age divisions can continue to be subdivided as they currently are in some parts of the country. For example, in the Intro to Hockey model in Alberta, where Major and Minor Novice divisions are used by some Minor Hockey Associations, division names would become U8 for Minor Novice and U9 for Major Novice.

“We believe everyone should feel welcome in the game and in our ongoing 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.”

Hockey Alberta wants to remind you that Hockey is Back.

- Minor Hockey has started.

- Travel is permitted.

- Tiering games will happen.

Hockey Alberta under the guidance of the Government of Alberta and Hockey Canada has developed a comprehensive Return to Hockey Plan.

The plan has been designed to ensure the safety of the players, coaches, officials, volunteers and all involved in the game, is the top priority.

It is a document that Hockey Alberta will continue to review, adapt and evolve as the COVID-19 situation and guidelines implemented by the Government of Alberta and Hockey Canada change.

But, in short - HOCKEY IS BACK.

TIERING GAMES WILL HAPPEN

Group: Minor Hockey

Tiering Phase: Competition Cohorts (Pairs and/ or Groups of Teams)

Dates: Teams Selected & Ready to Participate by November

Important to Note:

• Hockey Alberta and our Minor Leagues have a plan for a transition into a ‘Modified Competition Season’.
• Using existing cohort guidelines from AHS, teams will be grouped to participate in Tiering play.
• Teams must be prepared for Tiering Play by ensuring they take a 14-day break after any Exhibition Play.
• Leagues will switch Competition Cohorts within Tiering Play by utilizing a 14-day break from cohort activity.

TRAVEL IS PERMITTED

Important to Remember for Minor Hockey:

• AHS has removed the limitation of cohort groups remaining in respective health zones, when Cohort Guidelines are followed.
• NO TOURNAMENTS are permitted at this time, as they DO NOT comply with Cohort Guidelines.
• Travel will be permitted. Hockey Alberta and its leagues are working together on timelines, and exhibition games could occur as early as October’.
• When travel occurs, all teams must follow the proper Cohort Guidelines – a 14 day break when switching to play a new team.

Related Links:

• AHS Sport and Recreation Guidelines

MINOR HOCKEY HAS STARTED

Current Phase: Prep skates/ Physically Distanced Sorting (try outs, camps, etc) are currently in progress

Rough dates: September 7 – October 8

Related Links:

• Player Selection Resource
• Lane Formations
• Station Formations
• Physical Distance Practice Tips

RED DEER - Hockey Alberta, its two largest Minor Hockey Associations, and the four largest minor leagues in the province are pleased to announce that the Alberta One Standardized Tiering Model will be in operation for the 2018-19 season.

Hockey Calgary, Hockey Edmonton, Central Alberta Hockey League (CAHL), Northern Alberta Interlock, All Peace Hockey League, and North Eastern Alberta Hockey League are implementing the Alberta One Standardized Tiering Model for the upcoming hockey season.

Consistency in tiering has been a significant concern raised in feedback provided by families across the province in Participant Satisfaction Surveys conducted by Hockey Alberta in 2015 and 2017.

For the past year, these six organizations have worked within Hockey Alberta’s Minor Leagues Committee to develop a tiering model that ensures teams are tiered accurately and consistently by accounting for the size of a minor hockey association, the size of a league, and various geographic factors.

The Alberta One Standardized Tiering Model includes:

• Six tiers within the divisions of Atom, Peewee, Bantam, Midget.
• A tiering grid to assist organizations in placing their teams within a specific division.
• The ability for larger organizations to split tiers into smaller groups based on number of teams, games to be played and travel
• The ability for smaller organizations to utilize the grid to determine the number of tiers to operate based on number of teams.
• Teams proceed through tiering rounds for final placement determined by policies of the individual league.

Hockey Alberta’s member organizations were informed of the new Alberta One Standardized Tiering Model through an Information Bulletin on April 11.

RED DEER - Hockey Alberta is pleased to announce the host communities for the 2026 Hockey Alberta Provincial Championships.

Host communities for 30 provincial championships have been confirmed. The remaining four provincial champions are determined through league playoffs.

Championship tournaments are being hosted in locations across the province – From Fairview to Coaldale, Cold Lake to Okotoks, Alberta is set to be full of action for three straight weekends.

2026 Provincial Hosts >

Participating teams for the provincial championship tournaments are determined through league playoffs.

Hockey Alberta’s Tiered and Female leagues include: Hockey Calgary, Edmonton Federation Hockey League, Central Alberta Hockey League, All Peace Hockey League, North Eastern Alberta Hockey League, Rocky Mountain Female Hockey League, and East Central Alberta Female Hockey League.

Week one (March 19-22) sees the first set of players hitting the ice on the schedule, with championships including: U18 Female A, U18 Female B, U15 AAA, U15 AA, U15 A, U15 B, U15 C, U15 A NBC, U15 Female AA, U13 A, U13 B, U13 C, U13 D, U13 Female A* and U13 Female B.

Week two (March 26-29) features: U18 AA, U18 A, U18 B, U18 C, U18 A NBC, U18 Female AA, U15 Female A, U15 Female B, U13 AAA, U13 AA, U13 Female AA and U11 AA.

The final weekend (April 1-6) showcases Junior B, Junior C, U17 AAA and U16 AA.

Junior A, Junior Female, U18 AAA and U18 AAA Female provincial champions are decided through league playoffs.

The U13 Female A event is still vacant and seeking a host for the 2026 Provincial Championships. Please inquire at [email protected] should your minor hockey association be interested in hosting this event.

RED DEER - Hockey Alberta is pleased to announce the host communities for the 2025 Hockey Alberta Provincial Championships, presented by ATB.

Host communities for the 30 provincial championships have been confirmed. The remaining four provincial champions are determined through league playoffs.

Championship tournaments are being hosted in locations across the province - from Peace River to Okotoks, and Jasper to Wainwright, the action will carry itself throughout Alberta.

2025 Provincial Hosts >

ATB is returning as the presenting sponsor of the 2025 Provincial Sponsorships.

Participating teams for the provincial championship tournaments are determined through league playoffs.

Hockey Alberta’s Tiered and Female leagues include: Hockey Calgary, Edmonton Federation Hockey League, Central Alberta Hockey League, All Peace Hockey League, North Eastern Alberta Hockey League, Rocky Mountain Female Hockey League, and East Central Alberta Female Hockey League.

Week one (March 20-23) sees the first action on the schedule, with championships including: U18 Female A, U18 Female B, U16 AA, U15 AAA, U15 AA, U15 A, U15 B, U15 C, U15 A NBC, U15 Female AA, U13 A, U13 B, U13 C, U13 D and U13 Female B.

Week two (March 27-30) features: Junior C, U18 AA, U18 A, U18 B, U18 C, U18 A NBC, U18 Female AA, U15 Female A, U15 Female B, U13 AA, U13 Female AA, U13 Female A and U11 AA.

The final weekend (April 2-6) showcases Junior B and U17 AAA.

Junior A, Junior Female, U18AAA and U18 AAA Female provincial champions are decided through league playoffs.