Hockey P.E.I. changes course on tournament format that gave girls' teams fewer games

Hockey P.E.I. is returning to its original tournament format for the 2026 provincial championships after facing criticism for changes introduced last season. 

The traditional round-robin format — in which each team is guaranteed to play three games — was replaced in 2025 with an elimination format for the A-division girls' teams. That meant some girls' teams played just one game in the tournament, while boys' teams at the same level played multiple.

The change in format sparked criticism that there were fewer games for girls, with some players calling the situation unfair. 

The 2026 championship tournament will guarantee girls' A-division teams will play three games each, Hockey P.E.I. said. 

"It was clear the change in format was not well received, which prompted the decision to return to the original round-robin format used in previous years," Tami Lewis, the executive director of Hockey P.E.I., said in an emailed statement.

The elimination playoff format will remain for leagues that have always used it, Hockey P.E.I. said. That includes major and AAA leagues, girls' AA leagues and the U18 boys' AA league.

The idea of introducing the elimination format for the A-division girls' teams in the 2025 tournament was proposed by the female council, Lewis's email said.

The change was aimed at hosting teams of all levels in a single venue to celebrate female hockey, the email said.  

"The idea of holding all female games at one venue to highlight and celebrate the female game is still being considered and will be reviewed further depending on the interest shown by associations during the host application process."