Hockey Calgary and our Member Clubs believe that introducing U13AA within the community stream will create more opportunities for players to develop at a higher level while staying connected to their home organization. Over the past four seasons, an average of 7-8 players per team (approximately 80 per year) have played U13AA and then returned to their community programs. By offering U13AA within the community system, we can expand access to elite-level hockey for more players, leverage the strong coaching support that naturally exists within our communities, and provide a high-performance program without the additional financial burden of elite hockey.

TEAM DETAILS

Additional Cost to Play GL U13A
Players who make this team will be required to pay an additional $700 to cover the increased ice and other costs associated with this program.  This fee is in addition to the 2025-2026 U13 GL registration fee and any team cash calls as determined by the team.

TEAM SIZE AND SELECTION
The GL U13AA team roster size will follow Hockey Canada and Hockey Calgary regulations. Team size will range from 15 skaters and 2 goalies to 18 skaters and 2 goalies depending on total 2025-2026 GL U13 registration numbers.

1^ST AND 2^ND YEAR PLAYERS
There is no minimum or maximum number of 1^st year players selected for this team. All players are placed on this team based on the performance of the player during the GL evaluation process.

NUMBER OF PRACTICES
We expect  to be able to provide the GL U13AA team with up to three (3) practices per week, in a combination of full and shared ice.

GAME DURATION
The games will be 90 minutes, 15-20-20, with no floods. This is the same format that has been used in the U13 AA program for the last 4 years.

COACHING
As with all Glenlake teams, the U13 AA team may have parent or non-parent coaches.  The goal will be to select the best available coach(es) to ensure proper development at this level.  

LEAGUE PARTICIPATION
The 11 Calgary U13AA teams will play in the Calgary Division of Hockey Alberta’s AEHL.  League play will be within in Calgary only, therefore there will be no incremental travel of busing costs.  Game sheets and statistics will be online through Flo Hockey as are the current U13 – U18 AA and AAA programs.  It is expected there to be a 28-game league schedule (final details currently being worked on) Exhibition games and tournaments will be at the discretion of the team.  All teams will participate in EMHW and the U13 AA Thanksgiving Classic hosted in Calgary in October

EVALUATIONS

Players will not be required to complete separate tryout sessions to be eligible for this team. All players will partake in the 2025-2026 GL evaluation process as outlined at www.glenlakehockey.com.  Upon completion of the evaluation process, the top ranked players (who did not opt out of the U13AA team) will complete the roster. All players not rostered to the U13 AA team will be assigned to their team in order or evaluation ranking.

2^ND TRYOUT PERMITTED?
There will be no 2^nd tryouts at the U13 AA level.  If you are unsuccessful in securing a spot on the U13 AA team within your designated community, you will be required to continue evaluations within that community.

PARENT/ATHLETE EXPECTATIONS

VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENTS
Families will be required to complete GL volunteer credits as outlined on our webpage; this will be in addition to the MANDATORY volunteer roles to be completed at the U13AA Thanksgiving tournament held on the Thanksgiving long weekend hosted by Hockey Calgary. 

MANDATORY TOURNAMENT PARTICIPATION
Hockey Calgary plans to host a 32 team AA tournament to kick off the season.  This tournament will take place on the Thanksgiving long weekend and play host to teams from Alberta and the neighboring provinces.  The U13 AA teams will also be part of Esso Minor Week, a tradition in Calgary.  Beyond this teams will be permitted to attend 2 tournaments, if they follow the proper schedule window process that is in place for the AA programs.