Hockey Alberta Information Bulletin - Alignment of Elite Hockey in Alberta, Beginning in 2024-25 Season
Alignment of Elite Hockey in Alberta, Beginning in 2024-25 Season
INFORMATION BULLETIN 23-11
Alignment of Elite Hockey in Alberta, Beginning in 2024-25 Season
July 9, 2024
Hockey Alberta is aligning elite hockey across the province, beginning in the 2024-25 season.
To unify the Alberta Elite Hockey League (AEHL), Alberta Female Hockey League (AFHL) and AA Hockey, Hockey Alberta has formed an Elite Hockey Executive.
The Executive’s focus is to deliver a premier Elite Development pathway for families in Alberta, to continue to grow the profile of Elite Hockey in Alberta and ensure aligned operations between AA, AAA as well as both male and female hockey leagues.
The executive includes:
- AEHL Commissioner, Aaron Rawlake
- AEHL Chair, Devin Selte
- AEHL Vice Chair, Lee Hellyer
- AFHL Chair, Jody Forbes
- AFHL Vice Chair, Lise Cote
- AA Hockey Chair, Trevor Hittel
In addition to the Elite Hockey Executive, Hockey Alberta has announced the following expansion plans for the 2024-25 season:
- U13, U15, U16 and U18 AA Hockey in Alberta operated by the AEHL, overseen by AA Hockey Chair, Trevor Hittel, and AEHL Commissioner, Aaron Rawlake.
- A U13 AAA Pilot in Northern Alberta, operated by the AEHL.
- The Alberta U11 AA Hockey League, operated by Hockey Alberta, culminating in awarding a Provincial Champion.
AEHL Expansion to AA Hockey
Hockey Alberta has been working alongside Minor Hockey Associations in the province, the Northern Alberta Hockey League, South Central Alberta Hockey League, Hockey Calgary AA League, and the AEHL over the last several months to unify the three pre-existing AA leagues under the AEHL.
AA Hockey is operating within the AEHL to enhance the synergies between AA and AAA hockey in all categories, raise the level of AA programming and standardize AA league operations across the province, with the goal of continuing to improve player experience for athletes in Alberta.
The AEHL is being led by Elite Hockey Commissioner (AEHL and AFHL), Aaron Rawlake, with AA Division Operations being overseen AA Hockey Chair, Trevor Hittel.
More information on the AA Hockey expansion to the AEHL will be available in the following weeks. In the meantime, questions can be directed to Hudson Kelly - Manager, Elite Leagues.
U13 AAA Pilot
The U13 AAA Pilot is being launched for the 2024-2025 season in Northern Alberta. This Pilot will provide this level of hockey to families across the entire province in the 2025-26 season. MHAs currently committed to participate in the Pilot are Hockey Edmonton (4 teams), Bonnyville, Fort McMurray, Grande Prairie, Leduc, Lloydminster, Sherwood Park, and St. Albert.
Teams will compete within the structure of the AEHL, which includes access to livestreaming and video analytics to enhance the player development experience at this level of hockey.
Families registered with an MHA that is hosting a U13 AAA team are to access tryouts with that team. Athletes registered outside of an MHA hosting a U13 AAA team are permitted to pursue a U13 AAA tryout with an MHA that is accepting tryout players. Once families have found an Association that is accepting tryout players, athletes from outside the Host MHA will need a ‘Notification to Tryout’ form.
For more information on individual programs and tryouts, please contact the Host Association for more details.
U11 AA
For the past two seasons, Hockey Alberta has worked with our Minor Hockey Leagues to operate the U11 HADP within Alberta. Hockey Alberta has decided to create the category of U11 AA, officially, for 2024-25 and beyond.
This new level of U11 hockey will compete in regional play throughout the season with the season culminating in playoffs and a Provincial Tournament.
This level of hockey operates under the specific rules and regulations of the U11 AA Hockey Model. To view more information, including the rules, regulations and the Host Associations, please visit Model Document Link.
For questions regarding the Alberta U11 AA Hockey, please contact Morgen Kidney - Coordinator, Minor Leagues.
