Hockey Canada announces Western pilot project, introducing new rules for junior players

Hockey Canada has outlined new rules to help streamline the development of junior hockey players in its four Western provinces.

According to the organization, a joint effort between BC Hockey, Hockey Alberta, Hockey Saskatchewan, Hockey Manitoba, and the WHL will see players following a similar ruleset together, with the respective Jr. A leagues adopting a ruleset that mimics the WHL.

“By increasing flexibility for junior hockey players and families in Western Canada, we anticipate that we will see higher quality competition on the ice, all the way up to the National Team level when Canada is competing internationally in the years to come,” said Pat McLaughlin, chief operating officer and executive vice-president of strategy for Hockey Canada in a statement.

The BCHL, which previously broke apart from Hockey Canada, is not part of this agreement and is not classified as a Jr. A league.

Another notable addition is that players can have up to nine 15-year-old affiliates – players taken in the previous WHL Draft – play up to 10 games during the season, a move from the usual number of five. Teams can have up to two APs in a lineup at any time if they can not have a full roster of 20 players, up from one.

A 16-year-old player tied to a Jr. A, CSSHL or U-18 AAA team can play up to 15 games as an affiliate.

Among the new mandates, players under 18 will continue wearing full-face protection, while players over 18 can wear just a visor if they choose.

“Establishing this pilot project is a very important part of the exciting steps being taken to evolve our junior hockey pathways in Western Canada, and the initiative will provide our players with even more opportunity and flexibility in their development,” said Cameron Hope, chief executive officer of BC Hockey. “We look forward to the coming season and working together with our Junior A leagues, the WHL and Hockey Canada to ensure the sanctioned junior hockey system continues to strengthen and flourish in our Branch and beyond.”

The project will be reviewed throughout the year, with Hockey Canada saying it “is anticipated that its scope will expand in future seasons.”