These sessions generally run late September to early February, but vary by age division. The older divisions start earlier as they need time for playdowns, provincials, and westerns at the end of the season. The younger age groups don't have these levels of competition so they start later. 

 

The main reason for a gap between session 1 and 2 is for retreats and advances to make adjustments to pools as necessary for competitive play.

 

This is a fun year end tourney in March for U10 teams in Zone 2. The host circulates every year. No banners are given. 

 

Zone playoffs are played for U12-U19. Indus is in Zone 2 as is Foothills, Cochrane, Airdrie, Strathmore, and Rockyford. Based on seeding from regular season play, each team faces another team for a best of 2 or 3 series. The team that makes it to the end and wins gets the zone banner. It’s up to us to organize ice, refs, etc. for these games and they have to be done before end of March. 

 

Zone 3 (Calgary) plays ‘cities’ which is essentially their version of zone playoffs. Zone 1 typically doesn’t have much competition as it’s only Lethbridge and Medicine Hat. 

This is for U12 only. This is the playoffs for the entire Chinook League, which is comprised of zones 1/2/3. Based on seeding from sessions 1 and 2, playoffs occur amongst all teams and whoever wins gets the Chinook League banner. Everyone gets to participate unless they choose to opt out. This occurs in March. 

 

For U14-U19, the team who ranks the highest in regular season gets the Chinook league banner but there are no 'regionals' for these age groups. 

 

The Black Gold league (zones 4-8 in the north) do their own regionals. 

 

Here's some more info on the zones: Association Directory

 

Session 3 is for U14-U19 and happens in February to mid March. The purpose is to determine who makes it to provincials. Everyone goes to session 3 unless they opt out. 

 

This is for U14-U19. The teams who get to compete depends on the size of the pool for each age division, and as mentioned, has to be earned through session 3. Winner gets the big banner and bragging rights. 

 

The teams who win provincials for U14AA, U16A, U19A go to westerns - These playoffs are across all of Western Canada. 

 

The teams who win provincials for U16AA/U19AA go to nationals.