The U7 (Timbits) program is a mandated program in Calgary for the Initiation division for 5 and 6 year olds. The program focuses on skill development and the FUNdamentals of the game for the players, coaches, and parents. It is an environment in which children can learn the basic skills without the distractions that are often associated with an over emphasis on winning.

The U7 (Timbits) Program and its rules and regulations are all outlined within the  Timbits Program Guide found on the Hockey Calgary website.

The Raiders U7 (Timbits) program begins in September and runs until mid-March. Players will be placed on either a Junior team (5 year olds) or a Senior team (6 year olds). In some instances, due to registration numbers, there maybe mixed teams combining 5 and 6 year olds.

The September and early October dates for ice time will vary but will then be followed by a set schedule of dates for ice times. Once the schedule has been generated, the set dates will be announced for the U7 (Timbits) program with ice times rotating amongst the U7 teams. Our goal is to provide ice at either Crowfoot Arena or Vivo.

Full hockey equipment is required including a practice jersey to start the program. The equipment list to outfit your child can be found in the “Resources” tab on our website or on the Hockey Calgary website  click here .

At U11, players begin to a play a more traditional hockey format.  Games use full-sized nets, black pucks, 5v5 hockey, and the full length of the ice.

U11 follows the Hockey Alberta and Hockey Calgary Player Pathway .

Players (except goalies) are not yet able to declare a position. Instead, they are expected to rotate through all positions.

Goalies may choose to register as either a Hybrid Goalie or a Full-time Goalie. Hybrid goalies must evaluate as both a player and a goalie and are expected to play in both positions roughly half the time throughout the season depending on the access to other goalies on the team. Full time goalies evaluate only as a goalie. Full time goalies may only play as a goalie and may not play as a player. For questions on which path is right for you, email our Goalie Coordinator directoru18@raidershc.ca

U11s will typically have 1-2 practices a week and 1-2 games per week. Practices are assigned by the Raiders Hockey Club and practice days/times will vary throughout the week. Games are assigned by Hockey Calgary and game days/times will vary throughout the week. Practices schedules are released after the game schedule is released by Hockey Calgary. Tournament play, fundraising, cash calls, and other such items are decided at the team level.

Body Checking is not permitted at U11/U13. An option to participate in body checking hockey becomes available in U15.

In the 2022/23 season, Hockey Alberta introduced the U11 HADP (Hockey Alberta Development Pilot) league, which will continue this season as AA. For details see the  Hockey Alberta U11 HADP  webpage.

Please note: Raiders do not have a tryout process specifically for AA. Our process is our standard evaluation process for all U11 teams, including AA. There are no tryouts for U11AA 

At U13, players follow a similar format to U11, except now goalies must declare as Full Time Goalies, and Players must declare either as a Forward or a Defence. Hybrid Goalies are no longer an option. U13s will typically have 1-2 practices a week and 1-2 games per week. Practices are assigned by the Raiders Hockey Club and practice days/times will vary throughout the week. Games are assigned by Hockey Calgary and game days/times will vary throughout the week. Practices schedules are released after the game schedule is released by Hockey Calgary. Tournament play, fundraising, cash calls, and other such items are decided at the team level.

Body Checking is not permitted at U11/U13. An option to participate in body checking hockey becomes available in U15.

At the U13 level and above, Hockey Canada imposes the following conditions in all co-ed team environments:

• Females and males will change in separate rooms
• Both genders shall congregate in one dressing room fully prepared to participate in the game/practice not more than 15 minutes prior to the scheduled ice time unless otherwise indicated (to be there earlier) by the coaching staff.
• The lesser represented gender shall depart the dressing room not more than 15 minutes after the game/practice unless otherwise indicated (to stay longer) by the coaching staff.
• The gender in the majority shall not begin changing, helmets, gloves and skates excepted, prior to the departure of the lesser represented gender.
• When necessary, due to facility limitations, dressing and showering shall be done in shifts with the gender in the majority dressing and showering first. Once the room with shower facilities has been fully vacated the lesser represented gender may use the shower facilities

U15 and U18 follow the same rules as U13, but add an option for Body Checking.

In the U15 and U18 age categories, Hockey Calgary will operate body checking Divisions 1-3 and non-body checking Divisions 1-4.  At registration, players may indicate an interest to play on a Body Checking team, or to be excluded from Body Checking teams and participate only under Non-Body Checking divisions.  Spots are limited in the Body Checking divisions and are filled based on player evaluations.  Even if you register for Body Checking, you may be assigned to a Non-Body Checking team based on your evaluation performance. See Evaluation Guidelines for full details. 

Raiders typically offers a Checking Clinic at a low fee in the month of September to help instruct those who are new to Body Checking. U15/U18 will typically have 1-2 practices a week and 1-2 games per week. Practices are assigned by the Raiders Hockey Club and practice days/times will vary throughout the week. Games are assigned by Hockey Calgary and game days/times will vary throughout the week. Practices schedules are released after the game schedule is released by Hockey Calgary. Tournament play, fundraising, cash calls, and other such items are decided at the team level.

U21 (Junior C) is a competitive, body checking league, for players wishing to continue their hockey journey after community hockey. It is for players aged 18-21.

Players must register and try-out for Raider Junior C. Registration does not guarantee a roster spot.

Junior Cs will typically have 1 practice every two weeks and 2 games per week. Practices are assigned by the Raiders Hockey Club and practice days/times will vary throughout the week. Games are assigned by Hockey Calgary and game days/times will be Wednesday and Sunday evenings. Practices schedules are released after the game schedule is released by Hockey Calgary. Tournament play, fundraising, cash calls, and other such items are decided at the team level.

Raiders Junior C U21 Program Overview

North Central House League is a joint effort between Raiders Hockey Club and McKnight Hockey Association. The goal is to provide recreational players the opportunity to play organized hockey that is affordable, fun and safe with moderate time commitments allowing for participation in other social, academic or recreational activities. It also provides players with limited skills and knowledge an introduction to the game in a less intimidating format.

House league offers a relaxed hockey environment, with set schedules for families who do not wish to commit to the full community hockey schedule. Although house is touted as a ‘no volunteer’ league, minor hockey is simply not possible without some volunteer efforts (Head and Assistant Coaches, Manager, Time Keepers, Penalty box attendants).

Playing in House League is not about talent or tiers, rather about the amount of time a family wishes to commit to the hockey season. Teams will be parity based, after 2 evaluation skates, to balance the teams as evenly as possible. These details will be posted usually in late September or October.

HOUSE LEAGUE PLAYERS CAN EXPECT:

1. This league is for U9 and U11 age divisions only.
2. One practice per week, on a specific day. Ice times for the season will be based on which team you are placed on.
3. One game per week on a Saturday or Sunday morning. House games will only be against other NCHL teams within the division.
4. Ice times will be 60 minutes in length, all games will be refereed.
5. Ice times will be scheduled for the entire season. Total of 30 ice times per season (15 practices and 15 games).
6. Ice times will commence in October and end in March.
7. Attempts will be made to balance each team. There will be no ranking of House teams.
8. Each association will make every effort to ensure that all teams consist of similar skilled players (outliers may be moved at set times during the season).
9. Cash Calls will be limited only to the funding of team apparel, trophies/medals and team building events. No team fundraising is allowed. The purchase of ice for additional practices, exhibition games and tournaments will not be permitted.
10. House teams will not be sanctioned to play in any tournaments (in Calgary or outside of Calgary) or any exhibition games.
11. Friend requests are allowed, Associations will do their best to accommodate but cannot make any guarantees.
12. Goalie rotation will be allowed in both U9 and U11, and associations will provide necessary goalie equipment for both age groups. [If you child wants to play goalie full time in U11, we will do our best to accommodate that; however, in this situation equipment will NOT be provided. The rotation of goalies in this program is to create additional interest as we see a city wide shortage in our younger age groups.
13. Teams will wear their association jerseys during all games.
14. Socks and a team photo memory mate will be included in fees.
15. Games will follow all Hockey Calgary Rules and games will adhere to the standard Hockey Canada Fair Play Codes.
16. McKnight Hockey and The Raiders Hockey Club will support their House League teams. Volunteers may be required for the House League and each Association Volunteer Policy will apply to House League teams in the same manner as Minor Hockey teams.
17. Coaching certification requirements are the same for House League and Community Hockey. Please refer to Hockey Calgary Coaching Requirements.  Head coaches must fulfill the same  Hockey Alberta coach requirements  as community hockey and teams cannot be formed or run without certificated coaches. Coach certification are reimbursable through the individual Hockey Association.
18.  Coaching selection will be managed through each association. If you are interested in coaching for a House team, please refer to your association website or contact your association for more details.
19. In order for the House League to continue to move forward, we require a minimum of 16 players per team. Teams may be formed by combining registrations between the associations. We do reserve the right to cancel the House League if we do not meet this minimum registration requirements.

Resources and Information:

• What Program Is Right for Me? (House or Community)
• NCHL Main Page
• Hockey Calgary Community Hockey League Operations Guide
• House League Registration & Additional Information