Proposed Hockey Alberta rule changes would remove residency-based registration requirements for minor hockey

Proposed changes to rules around minor hockey associations in the province would remove residency-based registration requirements, according to a Hockey Alberta information bulletin obtained by CBC News.

The final decision for the rule changes will be made by Jan. 31, 2025 to allow time for minor hockey associations in the province to review the potential impacts of the change, and to amend or implement their own regulations, policies and processes, the bulletin says.

Hockey Alberta says it's considering the change in order to compete with private hockey programs not sanctioned by Hockey Canada, which are not bound by similar boundary regulations.

In the bulletin, Hockey Alberta says if it continues to apply the same requirements for residency-based registration that it has for the past 25 years, it will lead to more players and parents choosing private programs over minor hockey associations.

The organization says it hosted numerous workshops, discussions, and engagement sessions with minor hockey associations to discuss the role that boundaries play within the minor hockey system.

Hockey Alberta is hosting two virtual information sessions next week to gather feedback about the proposed rule change.

"Feedback from members, committees, leagues and other stakeholders are crucial and strongly encourages [us] to help formulate a final decision," a spokesperson for Hockey Alberta said in a statement to CBC News.

The amendment to Hockey Alberta's regulation would come into effect starting with the 2025-2026 season, if the decision is made to move forward with the changes.

Kevin Kobelka, executive director of Hockey Calgary, said his organization has just learned of the proposed rule changes.

"We are assessing it. We still believe internal boundaries will exist in Calgary," Kobelka said.

The provincial hockey governing body says the change would provide more choice for players and parents, prioritize player experience over where they live, allow players to play at the highest level they can and reduce administrative work.

Under the proposed rules, when registering for hockey for the first time, a player can register with the minor hockey association of their choice, rather than be limited to registering with the association nearest their residence.

The process for players registering with a different minor hockey association than the one they first signed up with would remain the same, and recruitment areas and draw zones would also remain in place for AA and AAA hockey, however where players try out for teams will be based on the minor hockey association they registered with the year prior rather than their residency, the bulletin says.

In an FAQ attached to the bulletin, Hockey Alberta says the potential impact of the rule change to smaller communities would vary depending on how their minor hockey associations adapt. The organization claims the amended regulation would create new opportunities for smaller associations that did not previously exist.