Age categories

To qualify in a category, the player must be under the age limit as of December 31 of the current season.

U7 Discovery Expand U7 Discovery –
Discovery is a program for beginning skaters who are learning to move and skate while wearing hockey equipment. 

  • Learn to Skate (2018 YOB).
  • Discovery is not a prerequisite for the Initiation program.
  • For the 2022-23 season those born in 2018 are designated to the Discovery program.
  • This structured program teaches basic movement and skating through development drills for about 2/3 of each 60 minute ice slot.
  • The remaining 1/3 of the session is devoted to playing non-competitive fun activities that develop the skills learned in the practice.
  • The players are registered for groups, and they will be divided to 4 teams within each group.
  • Non-competitive
  • Structured program (based on CHA Initiation program)
  • No scheduled games throughout the season – practices only.
  • Will include a mini hockey game at the end of the season.
  •  60 minute sessions from October to March
  • Time and location to be confirmed but most ice times will be at Terwillegar Subway Arena.

U7: Jr. Timbits 
Jr. Timbits is an introduction to hockey where the children will have only practices.

  • Introduction to Hockey Skills. (2017 YOB)
  • A child can register in Jr. Timbits even if they have not participated in Discovery.
  • For the 2022-23 season those born in 2017 may register for the Jr. Timbits program, however if all Jr Timbit core skills are demonstrated, 2017 born players can be considered for the Sr Timbits program. They may be assessed at evaluations and move to Senior TIMBITS later. List of Core Skills by category can be found here: http://www.swat.ca/files/timbits_core_skills.docx
  • This program focuses on development of forward and backward skating, stopping, puck handling, and an introduction to the game of hockey.
  • Locations of practices vary, but most practices will be held at the Terwillegar Subway Arena.
  • Practices will be held on the weekends, generally on Saturdays.
  • 20 – one hour sessions run from October to March.

U7: Sr. Timbits
Sr. Timbits is an introduction to hockey where the children will have practices as well as play games. 

  • Introduction to Small Area Games (2016 YOB).
  • 6-year olds that have never played Discovery and Jr.Timbits before may still be able to register in Sr.Timbits if they meet the Hockey Edmonton’s core skills and are physically and mentally capable. They will be assessed at evaluations.
  • For the 2022-23 season those born in 2017 may register for the Sr. Timbits program.
  • This program focuses on the development of forward and backward skating, stopping, puck handling, and an introduction to the game of hockey.
  • Third-ice games are played (i.e. boards  separate the ice surface into thirds and two games are played at the same time on the end surfaces with active rest in the middle).
  • Games are mostly held at Terwillegar Subway Arena
  • Locations of practices vary, but most games and practices will be held at Kinsmen and Terwillegar on Saturdays and Sundays
  • Games are non-competitive with no score kept.
  • No regular goalies – players rotate through all positions, including goaltender.
  • Emphasis on skating and learning basic hockey skills with an introduction to team concept.
  • 18 or more third-ice games and 18 or more third-ice practices from October to March.

​Please Note:
​4-year old’s MUST only participate in the Discovery program
​Players MUST be 4 years old as of December 31 to register into the Discovery Program.
​A player MUST participate in a lower Timbits Program Level if they are NOT proficient in Hockey Edmonton’s Core Skills or if they are physically and mentally incapable of developing effectively within their own TIMBITS Program age level. 

U9 (formerly known as Novice) 
U9 hockey involves the formation of tiered teams that play city wide. The players will vary from beginners that are learning basic hockey skills to those that have more experience. 

  • A child can register in U9 even if they have not participated in U7 (Discovery, Jr or Sr Timbits).
  • For the 2022-23 season those born in 2014 and 2015 may register for the U9 program.
  • Tiered teams of 18 to 20 players are formed after an evaluation process that occurs over multiple skates during the month of September.
  • The purpose of tiering is to have similarly skilled players on each team that are also playing against similarly skilled players from other clubs throughout the Hockey Edmonton program.
  • Games will be held throughout the city and surrounding area.
  • Locations of practices vary, but will mainly be on rinks throughout the south side of Edmonton.
  • Most games and practices will be held on the weekends, but there will be weekday evening ice times throughout the year.
  • Games will be played with Referees, however no scores will be kept as U9 is a half-ice program.
  • Development of skating and hockey skills considers the skill level of the team.
  •  18 or more games and 24 or more practices (all half ice) from September to March, mostly on Saturday and Sunday, but some will be weekday afternoon/evening.

U11 (formerly known as Atom) 
U11 hockey continues with the formation of tiered teams that play city wide. The players will still vary from beginners that are learning basic hockey skills to those that have more experience. 

  • A child can register in U11 even if they have not participated in U7 or U9 hockey.
  • For the 2022-23 season those born in 2012 and 2013 may register for the U11 program.
  • Tiered teams of 12 to 16 players are formed after an evaluation process that occurs over 3 or more skates during the month of September.
  • The purpose of tiering is to have similarly skilled players on each team that are also playing against similarly skilled players from other clubs throughout the Hockey Edmonton program.
  • Games will be held throughout the city.
  • Locations of practices vary, but will mainly be on rinks throughout the south side of Edmonton.
  • Games and practices will be held on both weekday evenings and weekends.
  • Games will be played with Referees and scores are kept.
  • There are regular goalies that have evaluated as goalies on most teams – number of goalies for the particular year permitting.
  • Development of skating and hockey skills considers the skill level of the team.
  •  18 or more games and 18 or more practices (some will be half ice) from September to March. Most ice times will be on Saturday and Sunday but there will be weekday afternoon and evening ice times as well.

U13 (formerly known as Peewee) 
U13 hockey continues with the formation of tiered teams that play city wide.  The players will vary from beginner players to those that have more experience. 

  • A child can register in U13 even if they have not participated in any hockey program in the past.
  • For the 2022-23 season those born in 2010 and 2011 may register for the U13 program.
  • Tiered teams of 14 to 18 players are formed after an evaluation process that occurs over 3 or more skates during the month of September.
  • The purpose of tiering is to have similarly skilled players on each team that are also playing against similarly skilled players from other clubs throughout the Hockey Edmonton program.
  • Games will be held throughout the city.
  • Locations of practices vary, but will mainly be on rinks throughout the south side of Edmonton.
  • Games and practices will be held on both weekday evenings and weekends.
  • Games will be played with Referees and scores are kept.
  • There are regular goalies that have evaluated as goalies on most teams – number of goalies for the particular year permitting.
  • Development of skating and hockey skills considers the skill level of the team.
  •  18 or more games and 18 or more practices (some will be half ice) from September to March. Ice times will mostly be on weekends, but there will be a lot of weekday evening and weekends as well.

  • For U13 players that are interested in playing in the Elite AA program, please note that there were new Elite Hockey Boundaries within Hockey Edmonton last season. Please review the Hockey Edmonton Elite Hockey Boundary Map to determine your Elite Club. Information and registration for tryouts can be found on the respective websites: