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Changes to Names of Age Divisions Announced

By Ontario Minor Hockey Association, 11/18/19, 7:00PM EST

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Hockey Canada announces changes for 2020-2021 season


Photo Credit: Beyond Snapshots Photography

Hockey Canada and the Ontario Minor Hockey Association have announced new names for its age divisions which will take effect for the 2020-2021 season.

“We are looking forward to streamlining the names of our divisions and believe it will help make it easier for all families to understand in what division their children should be playing,” said Ian Taylor, OMHA Executive Director. “The change aligns with the names used on an International level and simplifies the process of registration.”


Age Division Name Changes

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)

*player must be the age, or under, on December 31


Following the recommendations of a task team, the age divisions will become U7, U9, U11 through to U21, impacting all minor 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.

“We believe everyone should feel welcome in the game and in our on-going effort to make the hockey more inclusive the names of our age divisions will change,” said Michael Brind’Amour, chair of the Hockey Canada Board of Directors. “We have gone through a comprehensive review and believe this change will simplify the system for families who may be new to the game. I look forward to the new age division names being implemented for next season.”


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