|
General Information
The Board of Directors of the Canadian Hockey Association will be voting on the Age Change Restructuring
motion at the 2001 Annual General Meeting taking place May 18-21 in Ottawa, Ontario. The Age Change debate
has been a hot topic with minor hockey membership in Canada over the past 12 months. The CHA minor hockey age
change is one of the initiatives adopted by the CHA after last year's Molson Open Ice summit. This site is
here to help, parents, players and any one else affected, the facts about the age change.
May 21, 2001 - News Release 057.01
AGE GROUPINGS IN MINOR HOCKEY WILL CHANGE FOR 2002-2003 SEASON
OTTAWA, ON - The Canadian Hockey Association's Board of Directors, made up of representatives from the 13
CHA provincial branches across Canada, made a key decision in regard to the future path of minor hockey in
Canada on Monday at the CHA's Annual General Meeting in Ottawa, ON.
The CHA Board of Directors approved a motion that will change the age categories throughout all levels of
minor hockey in Canada, taking effect at the start of the 2002-2003 hockey season.
"I’m very pleased with the patience and methodical approach we took to making this key decision for hockey
in Canada," said Wayne Russell, Chairman of the board. "These changes to minor hockey were based on a number
of factors, including players' physical, psychological and social development, as we look to develop players
skills while ensuring that it is an enjoyable experience."
The age category change comes one year after the motion was tabled at the CHA’s 2000 Annual General
Meeting, when the CHA membership requested more time to review, examine and gather feedback from constituents
across the country on the proposal.
The change, as approved by the CHA Board of Directors, means that the age categories in minor hockey will be
as follows for the start of the 2002-2003 season:
| |
NEW – effective start of 2002-03 season current age groupings |
will expire end of 2002 season |
| - Midget |
15, 16, 17 years old |
16 and 17 years old |
| - Bantam |
13, 14 years old |
14 and 15 years old |
| - PeeWee |
11, 12 years old |
12 and 13 years old |
| - Atom |
9, 10 years old |
10 and 11 years old |
| - Novice |
7, 8 years old |
8 and 9 years old |
| - Pre-Novice |
6 years old and under |
6 and 7 years old |
For the 2002-2003 season only, CHA branches may, at their own discretion, define the age of graduating
Bantam players determined either at December 31 of the current season or the date of June 30 immediately
following the season. This means that the Bantam Division players, if this option is exercised, could be
eligible for Bantam hockey to 15.5 years of age.
|
