Say goodbye to terms like ‘bantam’ and ‘midget’ in hockey.

Hockey Canada has announced that starting next season age divisions will become U7, U9, U11 through to U21, impacting all minor and female hockey programs under the Hockey Canada umbrella.

At its Winter Congress this weekend in Montreal, the Hockey Canada membership approved the regulation change proposed by the board of directors.

The new age division names are as follows for players born in:

2014 and before (ages 6 and under) – Under-7 (U7)
2012-2013 (ages 7-8) – Under-9 (U9)
2010-2011 (ages 9-10) – Under-11 (U11)
2008-2009 (ages 11-12) – Under-13 (U13)
2006-2007 (ages 13-14) – Under-15 (U15)
2003-2004-2005 (ages 15-16-17) – Under-18 (U18)
2000-2001-2002 (ages 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.”

The change was initiated by Hockey Canada and its 13 provincial and territorial members.

 

Photo by Jeff Turl/BayToday.ca

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