**** Hockey Canada Release

HOCKEY CANADA ANNOUNCES CHANGE TO AGE-DIVISION NAMES

Changes to simplify the minor hockey system to go into effect next season

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.

YEAR OF BIRTH            AGE ON DEC. 31           AGE DIVISION

2014 and before            6 and under                  Under-7 (U7)

2012-2013                    7-8                               Under-9 (U9)

2010-2011                    9-10                             Under-11 (U11)

2008-2009                    11-12                            Under-13 (U13)

2006-2007                    13-14                            Under-15 (U15)

2003-2004-2005            15-16-17                       Under-18 (U18)

2000-2001-2002            18-19-20                       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.