New Hockey Parents
Welcome to Hockey Alberta - if this is your first time registering your child in hockey and getting them started on playing in a team sport that will help build new friendships, enjoyment of physical activity and development of life skills on and off the ice, then this page is for you!
As a new hockey parent, you may be scratching your head, wondering where to start. This page is here to provide important resources and answers for some of the questions you might have. Click on each tab for different resources.
Equipment for your child will ensure that they can play the game correctly, and more importantly, safely. Your child’s safety is paramount to them enjoying the game and is a top priority of sanctioned hockey.
Equipment can be purchased at stores like Canadian Tire, Sportchek, Source for Sports, and Play It Again Sports. You can also check your area for local sports stores near you!
Sport Central is a sports bank that provides equipment for your child if you are in need of financial assistance to obtain equipment.
Required items for your child to play hockey include:
- Equipment bag
- Jock (boys) / Jill (girls)
- Shin pads
- Hockey socks
- Hockey pants
- Skates - Skate Fit Chart
- Shoulder pads
- Elbow pads
- Neck guard
- Helmet with full cage
- Mouth guard
- Hockey stick
Recommended items for your child to play hockey include:
- Stick tape
- Practice jersey (if none are provided by team)
- Water bottle
- Shin pad tape
- Skate guards
With over 180 minor hockey associations all throughout the province, you can contact the MHA closest to your child and receive information from them on how to register for their programs, as well as any additional information you may need for the season. Many MHAs have their own websites and social media which provide useful information regarding registration and the season ahead. The MHA with which you will register depends on your residential address.
Minor Hockey Association Registration Dates & Websites >
If you need assistance with finding your regional area, please contact Hockey Alberta staff and we will be happy to provide assistance.
There are different age groups to register your child in, dependent on their birth year. As of this moment, registration for the 2024-25 season includes:
- U18 Male/Female: For the 2024-25 season, open to Players born in 2007 and subsequent years.
- U15 Male/Female: For the 2024-25 season, open to Players born in 2010 and subsequent years.
- U13 Male/Female: For the 2024-25 season, open to Players born in 2012 and subsequent years.
- U11 Male/Female: For the 2024-25 season, open to Players born in 2014 and subsequent years.
- U9 and U7 part of the Intro to Hockey Model.
The Respect in Sport (RIS) program is an online certification program designed to protect our youth as well as enhance Hockey Alberta’s mandate of providing a safe and fun environment for all of our participants. RIS is Canada’s leading online bullying, abuse, harassment, and negligence prevention program for parents, coaches, and community leaders.
Before a child steps onto the ice, Hockey Alberta requires at least one parent complete the RIS program. After completing the program, the parent will receive an RIS number. The parent must provide this RIS number to the team coach or manager before the first practice date. If a parent registers more than one child for hockey, all children must be registered with that RIS number.
Hockey Alberta also requires parents and coaches/team officials to recertify their RIS every four seasons.
Some families may be looking for financial assistance to get their child out on the ice - here are some resources to visit to learn more about easier access to playing hockey and getting equipment for your child.
- Kidsport Oil Country Hockey Assist Program - The Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation is collaborating with KidSport Alberta to help increase access to youth hockey. At this moment, the program states that approved applicants are eligible to receive up to $750 per player for their registration fees, as well as access to no-cost equipment from Sport Central. Should you live outside of the region, there are instructions on how to apply to the KidSport HAF chapter that covers your region.
- Calgary Flames EvenStrength Program - This program allows some financial assistance for players registered/registering with Hockey Calgary. The FESP helps cover the costs of registration fees and gives kids access to no-cost equipment through the Calgary Flames Sports Bank. Qualified low-income families playing with other hockey associations in Southern Alberta will receive up to an additional $100 to help cover their registration fees and access to the Calgary Flames Sports Bank .
- Jumpstart - Jumpstart features grants to help get your child playing sports with financial assistance. Individual Child Grants are available for those eligible to receive them and require an application. The annual maximum amount a child is eligible to receive is up to $600, subject to Chapter discretion and/or local demands.
- Hockey Canada Assist Fund - The Hockey Canada Foundation Assist Fund was created in response to the many families experiencing financial challenges. The goal of the Fund is to help Canadian youth access hockey and play the game they love. The Assist Fund will provide up to $500 per player in registration fee subsidies to approved applicants who are registered with a Hockey Canada-sanctioned association.
The Play Hockey Model, and the three streams within it, ensures families have access to affordable, fun, and safe opportunities to participate in youth hockey with a moderate to low time and financial commitment.
- Learn to Play
- Age Group: 5, 6, 7 & 8 year old players.
- Time Commitment: One ice session per week on a half sheet of ice.
- Structure of the Program: The program introduces the basic skills of the game and provides an opportunity for players to learn those skills and the game. Upon completion of a Learn to Play program, participants have the option to transfer to an Intro to Hockey (U7/U9) team at a nominal cost and finish the year in the Minor Hockey system.
- Pond Hockey
- Age Group: Any age group, no defined age categories required.
- Structure of the Program: An unstructured hockey option with limited to no use of the Hockey Canada playing rules with a focus on fun and development. Players can join a team and enjoy the game regardless of their skill set or commitment levels. Players registered in a Pond Hockey program can be registered simultaneously in Rec Hockey or a Minor Hockey program and participate within league play.
- Game/Tournament Play: Game play is allowed within the program (scrimmage), or with other Pond Hockey Programs (single game or Festival). Use of officials is not required.
- Rec Hockey
- Age Group: Any age group with defined age categories as set by the program operator (ex: U7, U9, U11, U13 etc. OR U8, U11, U14 etc.)
- Structure of the Program: A moderately structured level of hockey with somewhat modified playing rules and regulations as outlined below. Rec Hockey provides a more competitive structure than a Pond Hockey program but still requires less commitment than a Minor Hockey program. Players registered within Rec Hockey can also be registered in a Pond Hockey program but cannot also be registered in a Minor Hockey program.
- Game/Tournament Play: Game play is allowed within the program or with other Rec Hockey Programs (single game, league play, & tournament). Use of registered officials is required.
Resources for the Play Hockey Model can be found below.
