Beginning in the 2020-21 season, the names of age divisions at every level of minor hockey will be simplified to match age categories -- Novice to U9, Atom to U11, Peewee to U13, and so on. It moves things more in line with the IIHF and other countries who use age categories instead of names.
The age divisions will become U7, U9, U11 through to U21, impacting all minor and female hockey programs under the Hockey Canada umbrella. The change was initiated by Hockey Canada and its 13 provincial and territorial members and will be implemented nationally with their input and support for the 2020-21 season.
So starting next season, the categories will be:
YEAR OF BIRTH AGE ON DEC. 31 AGE DIVISION FORMERLY
2014 and before 6 and under Under-7 (U7) IP
2012-2013 7-8 Under-9 (U9) Novice
2010-2011 9-10 Under-11 (U11) Atom
2008-2009 11-12 Under-13 (U13) Peewee
2006-2007 13-14 Under-15 (U15) Bantam
2003-2004-2005 15-16-17 Under-18 (U18) Midget
2000-2001-2002 18-19-20 Under-21 (U21) Juvenile