U11 AA

League-play under the U11 AA Hockey Model will be operated by Hockey Alberta. 

To lower costs, Hockey Alberta has established Conferences and Divisions to minimize the amount of travel required throughout the season. Travel distances for game play will be considered for each Conference and Division, with restricted amounts of game play occurring outside of each established conference prior to playoffs. 

Members of Hockey Alberta that individually operate more than ten (10) U11 AA teams within their association will be given the opportunity to operate and establish their own conference within the League. 

The League will follow Operating Directives, Regulations and Policies set out by Hockey Alberta to govern and manage hockey within the U11 AA Hockey Model. They will also abide by and follow Hockey Alberta Bylaws and Regulations, including this U11 AA Hockey Model. 

Hockey Alberta and the League will:

1. Ensure the identified U11 AA Host MHAs are recognized members of the League;
2. Set and operate a regular-season schedule based on guidelines as outlined in the U11 AA Hockey Model;
3. Coordinate playoffs to determine a champion;
4. Administer discipline in accordance with Hockey Alberta Regulations for conduct and rule violations;
5. Host League / organization meetings for the members to discuss the game and make decisions related to the game.

Players who do not have access to U11 AA hockey within their resident MHA will be permitted to pursue U11 AA tryout with an U11 AA-hosting MHA that is accepting tryout players:

1. Should a player be released from a U11 AA tryout, they must return to their resident MHA. No second tryouts will be permitted.
2. Players within an MHA hosting U11 AA hockey must pursue their U11 AA tryout with their resident MHA.
3. Players are responsible for arranging their own U11 AA tryout and cannot be prohibited from pursuing a U11 AA tryout by their resident MHA.
4. Players must provide a signed Notification of Tryout Form if they are a non-resident of a U11 AA host MHA.
5. U11 AA Host MHAs can refuse to accept players not registered with their Minor Hockey Association.
6. U11 AA Host MHAs are encouraged to provide all players trying out for their U11 AA team(s) with four (4) prep skates (prior to evaluations and team selection), as required by the Hockey Canada U11 Pathway.

Based on the parameters set out within the U11 AA expansion/reduction application process, the following associations will be hosting U11 AA during the 2024-2025 hockey season. All associations will be hosting one (1) U11 AA team unless otherwise indicated.

In the 2021-22 hockey season, a U11 AA Pilot Project was established in the Northern Alberta Interlock (NAI) league. This pilot offered unique scheduling opportunities considerate of league geographics, as well as a formal tryout process similar to that used in the AA Hockey Model. Unlike the regular tiering process, members of the U11 AA pilot were determined prior to the season, allowing players to be certain of the level of competition at which they would participate, and ensuring that players could access the level of hockey suitable for their abilities, regardless of their location.

Prior to the 2022-23 season, Hockey Alberta determined that the U11 AA Pilot Project from the NAI league would be expanded to a provincial U11 Hockey Alberta Development Pilot (U11 HADP). Results and feedback from the Pilot were very positive, and interest in a predetermined top level of U11 hockey continued to increase. For the next two seasons the U11 HADP would operate as the top level of U11 hockey, followed by Tiers 1 through 5.

U11 Hockey Alberta Development Pilot 2023-24 >

U11 HADP Open House Presentation >

U11 HADP FAQ >

Scope of the Pilot:

Hockey Alberta conducted a pilot project that implemented an amended hosting structure, player movement rules and coach and player development standards. Working in collaboration with the Minor Leagues, a series of actionable recommendations was identified in time for implementation of a new U11 model. The goal of this pilot was to identify the best overall structure for the top level of U11 and to ensure alignment and progression from the levels beneath and above it. Principles of “Long Term Athlete Development” were focused on within all recommendations. 

Objectives

1. Develop a structure where teams are located (i.e. – Host MHAs) within the pilot and identify those locations.
2. Develop player movement rules for the pilot.
3. Identify standards for host MHAs to operate by.
4. Develop and implement coach and player development initiatives that will improve the player experience.
5. Analyze and review all aspects of the pilot, including consulting with member MHAs to identify the strengths of the pilot as well as areas for improvement.
6. Identify, complete with supporting rationale, the ideal number of teams at the top level of U11.
7. Determine how the new top level of U11 best fits within the AA Model or the Tiered Minor Hockey (Alberta One) system in the future.
8. Align the proposed new model with the Alberta One Tiered Minor Hockey system as well as the AA Hockey Model to ensure a proper development pyramid and "feeder system."