Team Formation, Funding and Tiering

When evaluations are completed, the Evaluation and Hockey committees will place players on teams based on the evaluation results. Each team will typically consist of 12 to 17 players, depending on on the number of registrants. Most teams will consist of 3 forward lines, 4 to 6 defencemen and 1 or 2 goaltenders. After completion of the evaluations, the head coach of your team will contact you.

Your registration fees provide practice, game, playoff and Minor Hockey Week ice times as outlined as a basic season by the Federation Hockey Council. Typically, teams will require more revenue to obtain additional practice ice, play exhibition games and enter tournaments in Edmonton and/or out of town. The source of additional monies for each team, to the limits the parental majority may set, is considered part of each parent's responsibility in order to provide extra team activities and keep the team competitive in its category. All parents should consider fund raising as part of their commitment to their child's hockey season and expect the top 2 or 3 teams in any age category to be very aggressive. It is the coach and manager's responsibility to organize and meet with the parents and assistant coaches to discuss and set a seasonal course of action for the team. Parents with players in the top tiered teams should consider the fund raising requirements before committing their child to the team.

The Federation Hockey Council organizes a tiering committee with a chairperson and representatives from each of the operating programs in the City. The committee is responsible for placing teams in divisions of approximately equal abilities. This committee meets prior to the start of the season and after each of the three rounds during the season. Teams can be moved to higher or lower divisions depending on their level of play. The purpose of tiering is to group teams at similar competitive levels.

Please remember that Tier (division) numbers and Team numbers are not the same. For example, if you child is placed on Team 3, he/she may not necessarily play in Tier (division) 3 for league play.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the number of players per team?

The maximum number of players permitted on a team is 19 (2 of which are goalies).

2. How many Goalies will be allowed on each team?

There will be a maximum of 2 goalies per team. The lowest ranked goalies will be given alternate options by the VP of Hockey Operations

3. When will the teams be formed?

The teams will be formed and coaches selected promptly following the last day of the respective category skate and prior to the season starting.

4. When does the season start?

Hockey Edmonton selects the start date of the season. Typically the season starts near the Thanksgiving weekend.

5. I signed up to be a coach, what is the process and when will I know which team I am Coaching?

For head coach candidates there will be interviews for new head coach applicants only and will be conducted by the VP of Hockey Operations and/or the category Directors between now and the end of evaluations. The coaches will be selected by the Hockey Committee at the time the teams are formed and the Head Coach is selected. The selected Head Coaches will be contacted by the category director.