U9

Glenlake players have the chance to compete at a higher level while staying connected to their home community.

The U9 Development League (U9-DL) is a partnership between Hockey Calgary and its community associations. It is a skills-based program for 7- and 8-year-old players that focuses on skill development and the fundamentals of hockey in a positive learning environment.

Program details

  • Players are provided 2 preseason skate sessions. Sessions will be assigned and communicated in August and cannot be changed.  These are optional skates.
  • U9 players will participate in the Glenlake evaluation process.
  • Players are tiered according to evaluation rankings
  • Goaltender position is rotated through ALL players.
  • Teams are scheduled 3-4 ice time per week
  • League games are scheduled for weekends only.
  • Half-ice games are used with rink divider boards.

U9–U11 players and families can choose between the Glenlake Community Stream or the West Calgary House League.

Evaluations & Team Formation

  • The player will be assigned 5-6 sessions 
  • U9 teams are tiered, where players are assessed during the evaluation process, players are grouped with similarly skill 
  • U9 tiers usually may have two or three teams per tier, “sister teams”. The Hockey Calgary Grid dictates this tiering system in accordance with individual Association registration numbers.
  • U9 teams are tiered based on skill, friend requests cannot be accommodated

Practice Schedule

  • No set schedule – will vary week to week during the season, usually between 1.5 to 2 hours per week and take place on weekdays and weekends
  • Weekday (Monday to Friday) times can start as early as 4:00 pm.
  • Weekend (Saturday & Sunday) times, while on occasion starting as early as 6:30 am.
  • Curfew for this age group to be off the ice is 8:00 pm week and weekend nights

Games & Tournaments

  • All Hockey Calgary league games are half ice format using half-Ice boards at arenas, such as Flames Community Arena
  • U9 Season Structure and Game Play details can be found on the Hockey Calgary website under the Programs tab U9 Development League
  • U9 games are subject to Hockey Calgary game amounts as outlined in the annual Hockey Calgary Season Structure and Game Play Guidelines
  • Each half ice game is officiated by Referees in training and assigned by the Central Region’s Community Referee Assignor for the arena where the game is played at
  • Tournaments are arranged and scheduled at the team level 

Team Cash Calls

Teams may request a cash call (typically $200-$350 to a maximum of $500 per player) to cover additional expenses such as tournaments, dryland training, team apparel, and social events. Families facing affordability issues should speak confidentially with the coach or team manager.

Equipment

  • All players are required to wear full equipment at all times on the ice.
  • Used hockey equipment can be purchased at Play It Again Sports in Westhills.
  • Adrenalin Source for Sports (located at 9309 Macleod Trail South) is Glenlake’s approved
    apparel provider and provides Glenlake families with a discount when you mention you are a member at the till

U9 Ice Setup & Divider Guidelines

The half-ice rink divider boards are for U9 games only and must not be used for practices or any other purpose.


Three coaches and/or rostered on-ice volunteers are required for set-up, movement, and take-down of the boards. Coaches must be on skates and wearing helmets. No other volunteers are allowed on the ice.

Important Notes for Coaches

  • Always push boards against each other when moving to prevent them from coming apart.

  • Pull panels from the end with the male insert when removing from the cart.

  • Use caution when lifting and moving panels.

  • Set-up and take-down takes approximately 5–8 minutes each.

  • Recommendation: Bring a pair of work gloves to protect hands from cold and rough edges.