Hockey Canada Annouces Change to Age-Division Names

Changes will be implemented in the MHL/GTHL starting in 2020-21.

Changes will be implemented in the GTHL starting in 2020-2021.

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.

CURRENT NAME AGE* NEW NAME Initiation Program 6 years old and under Under-7 (U7)

Minor Novice 7 years old and under Under-8 (U8)

Novice 8 years old and under Under-9 (U9)

Minor Atom 9 years old and under Under-10 (U10)

Atom 10 years old and under Under-11 (U11)

Minor Peewee 11 years old and under Under-12 (U12)

Peewee 12 years old and under Under-13 (U13)

Minor Bantam 13 years old and under Under-14 (U14)

Bantam 14 years old and under Under-15 (U15)

Minor Midget 15 years old and under Under-16 (U16)

Midget 17 years old and under Under-18 (U18)

Juvenile 20 years old and under 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.