For the 2024-25 season two (2) U15 teams will be playing under the Central Alberta Hockey League (CAHL) umbrella in the Non-Body Checking (NBC) division.
We have been informed, CAHL will be aligning their U15 division to create more teams and reduce travel within the NBC division.
LMHA will continue with one (1) team the following programs, and two (2) teams in NBC within U15:
U15AAA - Alberta Elite Hockey League (AEHL)
U15AA - Alberta Elite Hockey League (AEHL)
U15 T1- Central Alberta Hockey League (CAHL)
U15 T2 or T3 (depends on where the team fits within CAHL Tiering) - Central Alberta Hockey League (CAHL)
U15 NBC - Central Alberta Hockey League (CAHL)
What are the expected benefits of making this decision?
There are two significant benefits expected with non-checking options at U15:
- Increased safety for our participants, and
- More options for our participants to continue playing hockey, as associations that have implemented non-checking options have generally seen growth at the U15 division.
Hockey Calgary and the Edmonton Federation Hockey League (EFHL) have demonstrated both of these benefits since implementing non-checking hockey.
From a safety perspective, both organizations have seen major reductions in the penalties that would be deemed as a “high risk for injury
As well, both organizations have seen major benefits when it comes to player retention and the number of teams. The EFHL has seen an increase of 32 teams at their U15 division since implementing non-checking tiers in the 2016-2017 season. Of these 32 teams, 24 come from associations that have participated in the EFHL since the 2016-2017 season, which speaks to those associations retaining and growing their U15 player registration, which has allowed them to put more teams on the ice.
Is ‘Body Contact’ being eliminated as part of this change?
No, ‘body contact’ will not be eliminated, nor can it be eliminated. Body contact does and continues to
play a crucial role in the game at all divisions.
What is the difference between Body Checking and Body Contact?
Body Checking is “an attempt by a player to gain an advantage on the opponent with the use of the
body. Body checking results when two opposing players collide while skating in opposite directions or
when positioning and angling allow the checker to use the force of the body to gain the advantage.”
Body Contact is “incidental contact of two opposing players in pursuit of the puck or position on the
ice in the same direction. Body contact occurs as a result of movement by the offensive player.”
Will players from non-checking teams be eligible to affiliate to ‘body checking’ teams?
Yes, players from non-checking teams will be eligible to affiliate to teams playing with body
checking rules, should that player agree to be affiliated as such. Hockey Alberta’s Affiliation
Regulations will apply to the affiliation of all players.