U13AAA Announcement
Hockey Alberta and the AEHL announced a new U13 Elite Model for 2025-26, which includes the province-wide expansion of U13 AAA. Okotoks Oilers Athletic Association is excited to announce that we have been awarded a U13AAA Oilers team that will compete in this new model next season.
The new U13 Elite model by Hockey Alberta and the AEHL will introduce a greatly enhanced level of competition for the 32 AAA teams in the province while building out a strong base of Elite Players that will support competitive success in U15 Elite, U18 Elite and Junior Hockey in Alberta. The AEHL has become a respected choice for many of Alberta's hockey players
over the past four seasons. With the introduction of the new U13 Elite Model, we are optimistic that it will enhance the level of competition and provide even more opportunities for skill development.
KEY INFORMATION - PLAYERS & FAMILIES
We were informed of province-wide expansion plans in February 2025. Okotoks Oilers Athletic Association is working quickly to develop a game plan for the future.
| Okotoks Oilers Athletic Association and Foothills Bisons Announce Collaborative Approach for Elite U13AA and U13AAA Programs for 2025-26 Season |
For more information on the new U13 Elite Model, please visit aehl.ca
Okotoks Oilers U13AAA FAQ
If there are any additional questions at this time, please email
admin@okotokshockey.com, and we will incorporate them into our FAQ document.
General Questions
1. Why did Okotoks decide to add a U13AAA team?
Hockey Alberta introduced the new U13AAA model. They awarded Okotoks the U13AAA team because we are the host of all the AAA teams in our draw zone.
2. Will having an extra team in U13 mean there will be less U13 House teams in OMHA?
No, the addition of the U13AAA team will not impact the OMHA house division. The number of OMHA U13 House teams is determined by registration numbers.
3. Is Okotoks still having a U13AA team?
No, The U13AA team for our draw zone is being hosted by Foothills Bisons.
4. Who can tryout for the U13AAA Oilers?
Players from Okotoks, High Country, Foothills, Vulcan and Nanton can tryout for the U13AAA Oilers
5. We live outside of the U13AAA Oilers boundary, can I still register my player to tryout in Okotoks?
No, Okotoks does not accept out of draw zone players.
6. If my player does not make the U13AAA Oilers can they go for a 2nd tryout with another association?
Hockey Alberta does not permit 2nd tryouts in the Spring. 2nd tryouts are permitted in the fall after your player has been released from the OOAA Fall tryout.
7. What do we do if we only want our player to tryout for U13AA and not U13AAA?
It is not a prerequisite to tryout out for U13AAA in order to tryout for the U13AA Bisons.
8. Do I still need to register my player for OMHA U13?
Yes, all Okotoks U13 players must register with OMHA when registration opens in Late June. This includes players that receive a commitment to the U13AAA team.
Tryout Questions
1. When does registration open for the Spring tryouts?
February 14th to March 16th
2. When are the U13AAA tryouts?
April 8-13th
3. How do I register for the tryouts?
http://ooaa.rampregistrations.com/
4. How much are the tryout fees?
$350.00 there are 2 skills and 2 games. Players will receive a jersey to keep, games will have referees and Athletic Therapists present
5. What happens if my player tries out for U13AAA and does not make it. What are the next steps?
You can choose to register for the U13AA Foothills Bisons tryouts or you can choose to evaluate with OMHA travel in the fall.
6. What happens if my player tries out for U13AA in Foothills and does not make the team. Where do they go from there?
Okotoks players are returned to OMHA for the U13 travel tryouts.
7. What is the schedule of the Spring Tryouts?
The schedule will be posted to the OOAA website once the Okotoks Jr A Oilers playoff schedule is known. Okotoks Oilers Athletic Association : Website by RAMP InterActive
8. My player played in a non sanctioned league during the 24-25 season. Do I need to purchase insurance? If yes, how do we do that?
Yes, once Hockey Alberta provides OOAA with the insurance link it will be emailed out to all registered players that require the supplemental insurance.
9. If my player does not get a commitment after the Spring Tryout will they have another chance to tryout?
Yes, OOAA will be hosting tryouts in the fall for any players that missed the Spring tryout or that would like another opportunity after their spring tryout showing.
10. Will OOAA be hosting a parent meeting for players registered in the U13AAA Tryout?
Yes, OOAA will host Parent meetings at the Spring tryout and the fall tryout. The purpose of the meeting will be to introduce the Head Coach, discuss commitments, program details and answer parent questions. The date and location of the meeting will be shared on the OOAA website and via the Division Director once the final tryout groups have been made.
Roster Questions
1. How many players are on the U13AAA roster?
2 goalies and 15 skaters
2. Who is the Head Coach?
OOAA posted the U13AAA Head Coaching job on their website and social media platforms. Interviews will be conducted during the first week of March. As soon as a candidate has been selected OOAA will post their name on the website and social media platforms.
3. How many players can be committed to after the Spring Tryouts?
The Head Coach can commit to 10 of the 17 roster spots after the Spring Tryout.
4. If my player gets offered a commitment after the Spring tryout what is the deposit?
Players that are offered a commitment will have 48 hours to accept or decline. If the commitment is accepted a deposit of $1500.00 will be collected. Deposits can be made by cheque or credit card. Credit card deposits are subject to a 3% credit card admin fee.
5. What is the deposit used for?
The commitment deposit is 50% of the teams first cash call. The $1500.00 will be transfer to the team to be allocated to your players cash call.
6. Can I get a refund?
Refunds are issued if a players family moves out of province or has a season ending injury.
Season Questions
1. How many practices do we get a week?
The U13AAA team will receive one morning and one evening practice a week and every third week they will receive an extra evening practice.
2. Where are the practices?
In Okotoks at either VRC or The Okotoks Recreation Center.
3. Are the practices full ice?
Yes
4. What league does the U13AAA team play in?
U13AAA plays in the Alberta Elite Hockey League- Alberta Elite Hockey League (AEHL)
5. What teams are in the league?
Hockey Alberta Elite Male Hockey Model (AAA)
Team Budget Questions
1. What is the cash call? Is there fundraising?
The initial cash call is $3000.00 due on or before October 15th. Players that received a commitment and paid the $1500.00 deposit will owe $1500.00 on or before October 15th.
The 2nd cash call is due November 15th. The amount of this cash call is dependent on the team’s budget. If no additional cash call is required one is not collected.
The 3rd cash call is due December 15th.The amount of this cash call is dependent on the team’s budget. If no additional cash call is required one is not collected.
Teams Managers and Treasurers create the team’s budget with input from the Coach on his season plan. The budget is shared with the team at the beginning of the season, at Christmas and at the conclusion of the season.
Cash call amounts vary depending on several factors. Team sponsorship, Team fundraising and what the team has scheduled for the season.
2. Does the team pay for the coaches?
Parent Coaches are not paid.
Non parent U13AAA Head Coaches receive an honorarium of $6000.00 which paid out over 6 months.
Non Parent AC's share a $3000.00 honorarium which is paid out over 6 months.
3. Does the team have to take a bus?
OOAA does not mandate that the U13AAA team take a bus within the Province. The team must take a bus if they travel outside of the Province.
4-Does the team have an Athletic Therapist?
OOAA does not mandate that the U13AAA team have a trainer.
