Seasonal Structure

PHASE 1: Preparation Phase 

The Preparation phase is considered non-team development opportunities that take place once the play-offs are complete and before the Player Evaluations commence.· 

PHASE 2: Evaluation Phase

The Player Evaluation phase provides flexibility in the format that Associations’ tier their Registered Participants and still allows and encourage Associations to tier players with similar skill. Within tryouts, a player either makes the team or does not.

PHASE 3: Development Phase

The Development Phase is a 27-day period that takes place after Labour Day where teams may only play a maximum of four (4) exhibition games or one Tournament. On-ice practices are permitted during this period. 

PHASE 4: Regular Season Phase 

The Regular Season phase starts the first week of October and is recommended to have a maximum of 46 games, including exhibition, league, playoff/tournament games. Within this phase, it is recommended to have two seasonal breaks (not including Christmas/long weekends) that include a minimum of five days without a scheduled game or mandatory practice.

PHASE 5: Playoff/Tournament Phase

The Playoff Phase is either tournament-style or elimination rounds with a continued effort to reinforce skill-development elements in practices.