Background

The 2023-24 season will be the North West House League’s ninth year.  Our past eight years have been a success and it was determined that there is a considerable amount of interest for this stream of hockey.   It is a viable option for many families, but note that if your child is new to hockey, either house league or community (Bow River) hockey are both suitable choices.  Players are to choose one program only.

 

2023-2024 Season 

The House League Program will be offered in addition to the traditional Community/Bow River Hockey for U9 (formerly Novice - born 2016 and 2015), U11 (formerly Atom - born 2014 and 2013) and U13 (formerly PeeWee - born 2012 and 2011) aged players.

Some of the highlights for House League include:

• Two ice times per week. This will typically include one practice and one game per week once the game/regular season commences.  The Schedule is currently set as below but is still subject to change as we plan for the upcoming season:
• U9 Ice times will be Sunday morning games and practice Friday evenings
• U11 Ice times will be Saturday morning games and practice Wednesday evenings
• U13 Ice times will be Saturday afternoon games and practice Thursday evenings

• Evaluations will consist of 3 ice times in September.
• The HL Coordinators make their best efforts to balance the teams.
• Teams will practice in early October.  The regular schedule will commence in mid-October and end in early March with  a two week Christmas break.  We plan to have 35 to 40 ice times scheduled per player.
• Ice times will be scheduled at Crowchild Twin Arenas in Scenic Acres and West Hillhurst Arena.
• No fundraising is allowed. The purchasing of ice for additional practices, exhibition games, and tournaments is not permitted.
• Due to the challenges of forming balanced teams and coach placement, there will be no friend requests offered.  Only sibling requests will be considered.

Some of the differences between the House Leagues and Community (Bow River) Hockey include:

• House League offers a set schedule for the hockey season.
• With Community Hockey, players are evaluated to teams with players of similar abilities.  Players are scheduled for two to three ice times a week and are varied.  House League teams are balanced and all skill levels are on each team.
• House teams will NOT be sanctioned to play in any tournaments (in Calgary or outside of Calgary) or exhibition games.
• There will be NO cash calls/fund raising requirement, which is significantly less than what teams in Community Hockey experience.
• Hockey fees for the House League are less than Community Hockey fees mainly due to the different ice requirements and other fees required between the two streams.  The 2023-2024 House League fee registration fee will be $780.

General Info:

• The NW House League will consist of 6 U9 teams, 6 U11 teams and 6 U13 teams.  Maximum team size is 18. We will wait-list players after these limits have been reached.
• Ice times will be 60 minutes in length, and for U13 games 75 mins.
• Goalie rotation will be encouraged in U9 and U9 teams are provided with goalie equipment. Ideally, U11 and U13 teams will have two designated goalies on a team with their own equipment where registration permits.
• Players will keep their game jersey at the end of the season.
• Players are to wear their team jersey for their practice ice times.  Full equipment is needed including mouth guards.  
• Jerseys, socks, team and individual photo memory mate are included in the registration fees.
• Games will follow all Hockey Calgary Rules and games will adhere to the Fair Play Code.
• One parent in each household must take the “Parent Respect In Sport” (RIS) online Course.* See below for more info.  The RIS course now has a four year expiry.  Those parents that took this course previous to 2019 will have to recertify prior to registration.
• Coaching requirements for House League teams can be found on our website under the Coach's Corner tab.  Our coach clinic reimbursement policy can also be found there. [Various requirements may include:   Respect In Sport - Activity Leader Program (online), Police Check, Safety program (online), Coach Level (online and classroom/on-ice) Checking (online and classroom/on-ice).  
• Coaching selection will be managed by House League Coordinators. If you are interested in coaching on your child’s team, we ask you to fill out the online application below this write up.

 Other considerations:

• The NW House League is supported by Bow River Bruins Hockey Association, Hockey Calgary and the Calgary Flames Foundation.
• Volunteering is required from all parents.  All HL teams require Coaches, a Team Manager, Score Keepers, and Time Keepers, as well as other various team positions.
• Coach development for both House and Community Hockey teams are the same.
• Space is limited for the House League while there are initially* no space restrictions for Community (Bow River) Hockey. (*As planning progresses through the summer, space restrictions could be implemented in Community Hockey)

How to Register

Online registration will begin online June 15th through the "registration" page of our website

*If you are new to hockey, you must first take the Parent “Respect In Sport” online course before you can register.   The fee for this course is $12.60.  This is the link:

• https://hockeyalbertaparent.respectgroupinc.com  
• Choose “Bow River Bruins Hockey Assocaiton” as your hockey association.  (Do not choose Calgary Bruins.)  The $12.60 is not reimbursed by our Association and we do not have a ‘code’.