U9 Hockey

NORTH SEERA U9

Building Skills Through Small-Area Hockey

North SEERA’s U9 program is designed for players aged 7 and 8. This stage builds foundational skating and hockey skills while introducing more structured gameplay in a fun, inclusive, and development-focused environment.

AGE GROUP
7–8 Years
FORMAT
Half-Ice
SEASON
Oct–Mar
FOCUS
Development

Program Overview

Players continue to develop through small-area games, station-based practices, weekly ice sessions, and team-based learning.

The U9 program is designed to maximize puck touches, encourage movement, and help young players build confidence while learning the game.

Development-First Hockey

  • Shared ice for practices and games
  • Station-based practices
  • No scorekeeping, standings, or playoffs
  • Modified tiering for balanced play

What to Expect

Game Format

Modified half-ice games, typically played 4-on-4 with buzzers used for shift changes.

Season Schedule

Minimum of 18 games and 18 practices from October to March.

Ice Times

Games are usually on weekends, with weekend practices and some midweek practices.

Season Events

Includes Minor Hockey Week and typically finishes with a year-end Jamboree.

PLAYER DEVELOPMENT

Player Rotation

U9 is still an important development stage, so players are encouraged to experience different roles on the ice.

  • No full-time goalies — goalie rotation is required
  • No positional specialization
  • Players rotate positions throughout the season
  • Blue pucks and small nets are typically used, with full-sized nets used occasionally
  • Players can register in U9 even if they did not participate in U7 Timbits

Hockey Edmonton U9 Resources

The U9 division follows Hockey Edmonton’s program model and the Alberta One Standardized Tiering Model.

View U9 Program Resources

Questions About U9?

If you have questions about U9 registration, team placement, or the program format, please contact our U9 Director.

Contact U9 Director