U15 and U18 Program Options - ST. ALBERT MINOR HOCKEY ASSOCIATION

Which program is right for you?

In U15 and U18 the hockey options for players grow. The following table illustrates the available program options for players at this stage of their hockey journey.

Over the past three years, there have been significant changes to the streams of hockey in U15 and U18.

Programs across the province are seeing a growing number of players choosing to participate in mainstream programming, and fewer players are electing to participate in Body Checking streams. There are several factors driving this shift.

To help you better understand the options available and make an informed decision at registration, we encourage you to review the information below.

Body Checking vs Body Contact

We often get asked, what is the difference between Body Checking and Body Contact.

U15 and U18 programs (formerly Non-Body Checking), permit body contact such as puck battles, angling, and stick checks is all permitted, but deliberate body checks meant to separate an opponent from the puck through force are not permitted.

The goal of the St Albert Minor Hockey U15 and U18 programs is support is to reduce injuries, improve player confidence, and ensure that checking is used strategically and safely.

2025 PROGRAM

The 2025 -2026 St Albert Minor Hockey U15 and U18 program will have the following number of teams within each division and tier next season. These numbers are based on current projects and may be subject to change.

U15

Tier 1: 1 Team
Tier 2: 3 Teams (one 2012 team)
Tier 3: 2 Teams

U15 Body Checking

*Tier 1: 2 Teams
Tier 2: 2 Teams
Tier 3: 1 Team

U18

Tier 1: 2 Teams
Tier 2: 3 Teams (one or two 2010 teams)
Tier 3: 3 Teams

U18 Body Checking

*Tier 1: 1 Team
*Tier 2: 1 Team

*The number of teams will not change.

General FAQs

Will U15 and U18 programs be competitive with less players?

Over the past five years, the continued decline in the number of players electing to play body-checking hockey has led to a robust and highly competitive league throughout the province.

The quality of hockey in U15 and U18 often exceeds the expectations of most people.

This hockey stream sometimes attracts players who are no longer interested in the commitment of competitive stream hockey and have commitments to other sports, school or activities outside of hockey. They want to play hockey without the risk of serious injury.

Can I play in Provincials?

In 2022, U15 Tier 1 (formerly, Non-Body Checking) was classified as a provincial category, and teams played in the provincial championship. STA teams have appeared in three of the last five provincial tournaments.

2022

- St. Albert Minor Hockey, the U18 Tier 1 team, qualified for provincials.

2024

- U18 Tier 1 team took home the league championship and competed at Provincials in Calgary.

2025

- U18 Tier 1 team won silver at Provincial Championships.
- U18 Tier 2 division had three teams and played in a highly competitive division. One of the three teams won Minor Hockey Week.
- U18 Tier 3 also had three teams, and one of the three teams won the league Championship and Minor Hockey Week.

What are the Tiers of hockey in U15 and U18 programs?

Is there an increased risk of injury in Body Checking hockey?

U14 and U16

Does St. Albert Minor Hockey have single birth-year teams in U15 and U18?

In 2024, we successfully launched our first U16 team. Although the team competed in the U18 division, the roster was made up entirely of 2009-born players.

Please note: this program is not available to players participating in body checking divisions.

For the upcoming season, we plan to expand this model to U15. First-year U15 players will have the opportunity to declare draft eligibility for the 2012-born team.

How do I join a single birth-year team?

In August, all registered players will receive an Expression of Interest form.

If you indicate interest in the program, your name will be added to the draft list for either the 2010 or 2012 team.

Please note that there are no single birth year teams in Tier 1 hockey—all single birth year teams participate at the Tier 2 level.

Players may choose to make themselves available for the Tier 1 draft. If they are not selected, they will then become eligible for placement on a single birth year Tier 2 team.

Quick links

Apply to Coach

Evaluation Handbook

Player Safety

Key Points:

Increased Injury Risk with Body Checking: Studies have shown that body checking significantly increases the risk of injury in youth ice hockey. For instance, in one study, body checking was found to be responsible for more than half of all injuries in youth divisions where it was allowed. The risk of concussions and other severe injuries, such as fractures and sprains, is notably higher in leagues permitting body checking compared to those that do not(AAP Publications).
Comparative Injury Rates: Research has indicated that in youth hockey leagues where body checking is prohibited, the overall injury rates are lower. Specifically, the concussion rate in body-checking cohorts was observed to be 1.5 per 1000 player-hours. The removal of body checking could prevent a significant number of concussions and severe injuries annually. A study focusing on non-elite U18 ice hockey players in Alberta and British Columbia found that prohibiting body checking could prevent approximately 66% of game-related injuries and 50% of concussions in non-elite levels(
British Journal of Sports Medicine).
Severe Injury Implications: In leagues where body checking is allowed, not only are the overall injury rates higher, but the injuries tend to be more severe. In high school hockey, injury rates for games were found to be comparable to high-impact sports like football, with many injuries leading to significant time lost from the sport. For youth players, these injuries can have long-lasting implications on development and health(
AAP Publications).
Policy Implications: The evidence supports the notion that limiting body checking in youth hockey can greatly reduce the risk of injury. Some provinces in Canada have already implemented policy changes to prohibit body checking at certain levels, resulting in fewer injuries without a significant impact on the competitiveness or enjoyment of the game(
British Journal of Sports Medicine).

Head Contact Penalties Comparison

EFHL 2023 - 2024

Conclusion:

Reducing or eliminating body checking in youth hockey could significantly mitigate the risk of head injuries and concussions.

This perspective can help inform ongoing discussions and potential policy shifts.

Over the past two years, the St. Albert Minor Hockey Association has engaged in discussions with Hockey Alberta and leagues across the province to advocate for changes to the current structure. Our long-term objective is to attract and retain more players in Progressive Body Checking programs, while also shifting the narrative around this stream of hockey through ongoing education and communication with stakeholders.

We believe that all divisions must continue to prioritize player safety and ensure that long-term participation in the sport remains a key focus for all Minor Hockey Associations in Alberta.

In August, we will host an online meeting with our U15 and U18 hockey community to provide more information about this program and answer any questions you may have.

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