U-13 AAA Pilot Project (More to come)
INFORMATION BULLETIN 23-09
U13 AAA Pilot, U11 AA Pilot Announced for 2024-25 Season
May 7, 2024
As part of an ongoing review of hockey options available to players within the Hockey Alberta system, the following changes are being implemented at the U11 and U13 levels for the 2024-25 season. These changes are focused on establishing a clear developmental progression for players from grassroots hockey through to the elite system.
- A U13 AAA Pilot is being launched with regional teams hosted by Minor Hockey Associations (currently targeted at northern Alberta, pilot could be expanded if deemed necessary).
- The Pilot tag is being removed from the U11 Hockey Alberta Development Pilot (U11 HADP) with the category of play to be known as U11 AA.
U13 AAA Pilot
The U13 AAA Pilot will provide valuable insight to Hockey Alberta in identifying the ideal structure required to provide this level of hockey to families across the entire province in the 2025-26 season. MHAs currently committed to participate in the Pilot are Hockey Edmonton (4 teams), Bonnyville, Grande Prairie, Leduc, Lloydminster, Sherwood Park, Strathcona and St. Albert. The U13 AAA Pilot will operate within the structure of the Alberta Elite Hockey League.
Families registered with an MHA that is hosting a U13 AAA team can access tryouts with that team. Athletes registered outside of an MHA hosting a U13 AAA team are permitted to pursue a U13 AAA tryout with an MHA that is accepting tryout players.
Hockey Alberta is working with participating Member MHAs on the full details of the Pilot, which will be shared as they are confirmed.
U11 AA
For the past two seasons, Hockey Alberta has worked with our Minor Hockey Leagues to operate the U11 HADP province wide. The Pilot explored the top level of U11 hockey in the province and provided results and feedback from the two seasons that are overwhelmingly positive. As a result, Hockey Alberta has decided to create the category of U11 AA, officially, for 2024-25 and beyond.
Starting with the 2024-25 season, U11 AA will operate under the specific rules and regulations of the U11 AA Hockey Model - similar to U11 HADP, but with some differences, including:
- Hockey Alberta has identified the MHAs required to host U11 AA teams as part of the U11 AA Hockey Model. An MHA that is hosting U13 AA teams as part of the AA Hockey Model will host the same number of U11 AA teams as they operate at U13 AA.
- Hockey Alberta has identified an expansion/ reduction process that allows MHAs, including those not hosting U13 AA teams, to apply to Hockey Alberta for expansion and/or reduction within the U11 AA Hockey Model. A memo will follow to MHAs with the expansion/ reduction process.
- League play under the U11 AA Hockey Model will be operated by Hockey Alberta with the formation of a new U11 AA league. The league features conferences and divisions to minimize travel during the season, and crowns a League/ Provincial Champion at the end of the season. More information related to the U11 AA hockey league will be shared shortly.
For more information:
Kendall Newell, Senior Manager, Competition
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