Youth Hockey 365

In Canada, Minor Hockey is described as amateur hockey played by athletes who are 20 years old and younger. Traditionally players are divided into playing levels according to age. In Canada, minor hockey levels and associated ages are:

Initiation – ages 5 & 6
Novice – ages 7 & 8
Atom – ages 9 & 10
Pee Wee – ages 11 & 12
Bantam – ages 13 & 14
Midget – ages 15-17
Junior / Juvenile – ages 18 & 19

In smaller towns and communities with smaller populations leagues will often combine the Mite, Mini Mite or Tiny Mites and Squirts levels into a single Initiation (or Pre-Novice) category. Furthermore players may be divided by the level of competitiveness they play at.
Non-Competitive Minor Hockey
Players play in either:

1. House Leagues – intra-city where players may be of any skill level
2. Select Leagues – higher skilled players who participate in additional practices and games.
Competitive Minor Hockey
Players who play more competitive hockey may play in the following leagues. These teams are sometimes referred to as “travelling teams” and consist of “better” skilled players.

1. C House Level
2. Junior B
3. Junior A where more competitive hockey begins
4. AA teams compete at major level
5. AAA is the highest caliber of minor hockey
Additionally, teams are categorized as either Tier 1, 2, 3, or 4 for district, and provincial championship playoffs based on the enrollment sizes of their associations.