For the 2022-23 hockey season, Hockey Alberta is expanding the U11 AA Pilot Project province wide and renaming it the U11 Hockey Alberta Development Pilot (U11 HADP). The focus of the U11 HADP is to implement amended hosting structures, player movement rules, league scheduling and Coach and Player Development Standards.
During the 2021-22 hockey season, Hockey Alberta established the U11 AA Pilot Project in conjunction with the Northern Alberta Interlock (NAI). The initial pilot offered scheduling options conducive to league geography, a formal tryout process (similar to that used within the AA Hockey Model) and allowed players to be certain of the level of competition at which they would participate. Feedback was positive and the interest in a predetermined top level of U11 HADP hockey continues to increase, which has resulted in expanding the pilot province wide.
Under the U11 HADP, Hockey Alberta will be working in collaboration with our Minor Hockey Leagues and their member MHAs. The Central Alberta Hockey League, Hockey Calgary, Edmonton Federation Hockey League will host the U11 HADP for their member associations, while the All Peace Hockey League, NAI and North Eastern Alberta Hockey League will work together to host the U11 HADP for their member associations.
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.
If you have any questions regarding the expansion and renaming of the U11 Hockey Alberta Development Pilot, please contact Hockey Alberta.
Please refer to Information Bulletin 21-11 for more information regarding the changes or the U11 HADP webpage.