The following resource is intended to provide a simplified overview of the key dates with the Playing Regulations for the 2026-27 season.
The below seasonal calendar summary applies to Minor Hockey within the Ontario Hockey Federation. The OWHA may implement a modified seasonal calendar to best suit the needs of Female Hockey within the province.
General Change
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Change in terminology from Tryout to Player Evaluation
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- To align OHF definitions with that of the Hockey Canada Player Pathways.
- Player Evaluation provides flexibility in the format that Associations’ tier their Registered Participants. Whereas with Tryouts a player either makes the team or does not. Player Evaluations still allows and encourage Associations to tier players with like skill.
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Coach Applications
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Prohibitive Advertising Regulation
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- December 1, 2025
- Associations may begin accepting applications for coaching positions for the 2026-27 season.
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Coach Commitments
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Prohibitive Advertising Regulation
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- January 15, 2026
- Associations may begin offering positions to coaches.
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Team Official Announcement Day
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Prohibitive Advertising Regulation
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Player Evaluation Registration
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Registration for Player Evaluations
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Preparation Phase/Prep Skates
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Non-Team Development
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- Non-Team Development Opportunities are part of the season with your registered Association. If your Association/Member operates non-team development opportunities, you must participate with your Association/Member. If your Association/Member does not operate non team development opportunities, you may register with any other Association/Member.
- Refer to Playing Regulation G2
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Under-9 Seasonal Calendar
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U8 – U9 Player Evaluations
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- Spring evaluations for U9 & U8 Minor Development (MD) and Select hockey (highest tier within the Member) can begin at the direction of each Member, starting as early as the first day after their Member’s U7 and U9 programming is complete for the 2025-26 season and can extend for 14 days from that date.
Preparation Phase
- Requirements: Minimum of four (4) skill sessions must be provided by a Minor Hockey Association (or group of MHAs) to all Players. Players are not required to attend the preparation skates; attendance does not impact eligibility to attend Player Evaluations.
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Under-11 & Under-13 Spring Evaluation Seasonal Calendar
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Preparation Phase
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AKA – non-Team Development Opportunities
Start: may begin March 2
End: must end April 17
- Requirements: Minimum of four (4) skill sessions must be provided by a Minor Hockey Association (or group of MHAs) or Member to all Players. Players are not required to attend the preparation skates; attendance does not impact eligibility to attend Player Evaluations.
- Eligibility: Refer to Playing Regulation G3(h).
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Player Evaluations
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AAA: April 18
AA: April 25
A & BB : May 2
B: May 9
- Note 1: All Players may attend Player Evaluations with multiple Associations during each of the seven (7) day periods in accordance with Regulation G3
- Note 2: Associations may conduct Fall Player Evaluations at AA and below in accordance with playing regulation G4
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Development Phase
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Teams selected in the spring must run a Development Phase between:
Start: September 8
End: October 1
- Note 1: For the Divisions of U11 and above following Labour Day Monday, during the Development Phase teams may only practice and play a maximum of four (4) exhibition games or two (2) exhibition games and one Tournament in accordance with G3(i) (ii), and two (2) practices for every one (1) game.
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Under-15 Through to Under-18 Spring Player Evaluation Seasonal Calendar
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Preparation Phase
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AKA – non-Team Development Opportunities.
Start: may begin March 2.
End: must end April 19
- Requirements: Minimum of four (4) skill sessions must be provided by a Minor Hockey Association (or group of MHAs) or Member to all Players. Players are not required to attend the preparation skates; attendance does not impact eligibility to attend Player Evaluations.
- Eligibility: Refer to Playing Regulation G3 (h).
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Player Evaluations
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AAA: April 20
AA: April 27
A & BB: May 4
B: May 11
- Note 1: All Players may attend Player Evaluations with multiple Associations during each of the seven (7) day periods in accordance with Regulation G3.
- Note 2: Associations may conduct fall Player Evaluations at AA and Below in accordance with Playing Regulation G4.
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Development Phase
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Teams selected in the spring must run a Development Phase between:
Start: September 8
End: October 1
- Note 1: For the Divisions of U11 and above following Labour Day Monday, during the Development Phase teams may only practice and play a maximum of four (4) exhibition games or two (2) exhibition games and one Tournament in accordance with G3(i) (ii), and two (2) practices for every one (1) game.
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Spring & Summer Programming Opportunities (U11, U13, U15, U18)
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Spring Programming Opportunities
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Associations permitted to operate skill development programming in team-based setting.
Start: May 12.
End: June 30.
- Frequency: 1 or 2 times per week, focusing on skill development with teams.
- Note 1: Associations must put team members (coach/players) on the appropriate roster.
- Note 2: OHF Members are responsible for determining internal process for approving team ice times.
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July 1 – August 9
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No sanctioned programming permitted during this period
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Summer Programming Opportunities
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Associations and Members permitted to provide individual skills training or hockey schools that operate as set out below:
Start: August 10
End: September 4
- Note: Only individual skill development (not-team based) is allowed. Registration with the Association is required if the Association hosts its own skill development sessions. Must be entered in the HCR.
- Note: Team based team builders (no exhibition games week prior to Labour Day). Associations must enter within the HCR team members (coach/players) on the appropriate roster.
- Note: OHF Members are responsible for determining their internal process for approving team activities
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September 5 – September 7
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No sanctioned programming
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Under-9, Under-11, Under-13, Under-15, Under-18: Fall Player Evaluation Seasonal Calendar
Applies to Associations that did not deliver spring Player Evaluations.
Dates listed are the earliest possible, Associations permitted to shift dates subject to internal needs while ensuring each of the identified Phases are accommodated.
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Preparation Phase
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AKA – non-Team Development Opportunities.
Start: may begin September 8
- Requirements: Minimum of four (4) skill sessions must be provided by a Minor Hockey Association (or group of MHAs) or Member to all Players. Players are not required to attend the preparation skates; attendance does not impact eligibility to attend Player Evaluations.
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Player Evaluations
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AA & Below: September 12
- Note: All Players may attend Player Evaluations with multiple
Associations during each of the seven (7) day periods in accordance with Regulation G4.
Playing Regulations: G4
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Development Phase
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Start: September 19
- Requirement: Must be a minimum period of 14 days development time.
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Tournaments
Tournaments for all Divisions and Categories (excluding U7/U9) permitted to start September 18, 2026.
Regular Season
The Regular Season for all divisions and categories (excluding U7/U9) permitted to start October 2, 2026
Preparation Phase & Player Evaluation Resources: On-Ice
Hockey Canada has provided on-ice practice plans to support Associations in facilitating the Preparation Phase and Player Evaluations. Sessions are linked by age Division.
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