LMHA to host U11 Hockey Alberta Development Pilot Teams
On June 7, 2022 Hockey Alberta announced changes to the structure of U11 hockey in the province. After a successful pilot project of U11 AA teams in Northern Alberta the program is being expanded province wide. The new U11 program is being renamed to the U11 Hockey Alberta Development Pilot (HADP). Information on that program can be located here:
Hockey Alberta has stated the following regarding U11 HDAP:
“The goal of the U11 HADP is to identify the best overall structure for the top level of U11 and to ensure alignment and progression within the entire hockey system. The Principles of Long-Term Athlete Development and Hockey Canada’s U11 Pathway will be followed, as the best philosophy for developing players is to create an environment where similarly skilled players can compete.”
For the 2022-2023 season LMHA will be hosting two (2) U11 HADP teams. All players located within Lethbridge, along with players in surrounding communities without an HADP program are eligible to tryout for the Lethbridge teams.
The registration process for tryouts along with the tryout dates and structure will be announced later this summer. All players will be asked to be registered by August 31, 2022 so that sufficient time to plan tryouts and team selection can occur. Player fees for HADP will be finalized over the summer as there will be additional costs over the standard U11 registration fee.
Should you be interested in coaching one of the U11 HADP teams please submit a coaching application through the LMHA website.
It is anticipated that Lethbridge players not selected to HADP will have the opportunity to tryout for a Tier Travel team. Non-Lethbridge players not selected to HADP will return to their home minor hockey association for placement.
In addition to HADP and Tier, LMHA will still host a city only U11 league for Lethbridge residents.
Any questions can be directed to the LMHA U11 governor, Kyle Meyers, via email at lmhau11atom@gmail.com or Keith Hitchcock, via email at lmhagm@telus.net