2022-23 House League - U9 and U11

Pre-Season Development Sessions - ALL U9/U11 Players

In accordance with Hockey Canada’s Development Pathways, our U9 and U11 seasons began with 4 development sessions for all players. These sessions are included in both House League and Competitive fees, and all players will participate together prior to Competitive tryouts (held later in September).

NOTE: Pre-season session participants will be assigned to either Hour A or Hour B for each session. Assignment lists will be shared one week before the first session - watch your email or check this page for details.

U9 Pre-Season Development Schedule:

U11 Pre-Season Development Schedule:

Competitive Tryouts:

Optional Competitive tryouts for those who are interested in pursuing a position on one of our Competitive Teams will begin after the completion of the pre-season development sessions for all U9 and U11 players. Players are required to register for and participate in the U9/U11 development sessions to be eligible for Competitive tryouts - which will require a separate registration. Advance registration is required for tryout participants. Players not registered by the Sunday, September 18, 2022 at 11:59PM may not be permitted to participate.

Click here of important information about the U9 and U11 competitive tryout process, including schedule, fees, and links to registration.

 2022-23 House League Overview & Fees (U9 & U11)

• Practice count includes 4 pre-tryout/pre-development sessions
• House League registrations include an amount that covers each player’s portion of league overhead and administration costs - including: association expenses (rent, salaries, etc.); OWHA registration and Hockey Canada insurance for players and team officials; jerseys and socks for each player. This amount ($205 for U9 and U11) is 100% non-refundable once the season begins.

• NOTE: players who are not residents of the City of Barrie or Springwater Township must also choose the NON-RESIDENT FEE package when registering. Failure to select this package where required could result in late fees or other penalties.

  Registration Deadlines:

• All U9 and U11 players will use the “U9 Hockey” or “U11 Hockey” options to pay the same initial $625 registration fee.
• For U9 and U11 players who will play House League, no additional payment will be required beyond the initial $625 payment. For those U9 and U11 players who will play on one of our Competitive Teams, the initial $625 will be applied against the Competitive association fees for their team and level.

House League Player Eligibility:

• All House League players must participate in the scheduled Evaluation Skates. (Health exceptions for those unable to participate will be considered on a case-by-case basis - please contact youthhouseleague@bwha.ca for more info)
• In accordance with Hockey Canada’s U9 and U11 Development Pathways, players in these levels will participate in 4 development sessions before the start of Competitive tryouts. These sessions will be for all players - both Competitive and House League - and will be run by our Competitive and House League coaches. Players must participate in all 4 sessions to be eligible for Competitive tryouts.
• House League registration is open to ALL players, regardless of the association they were registered with or the level they played in the 2021-2022 season.
• Non-BWHA players: any player who was a member of another OWHA association or team in 2021-22 (or before) will require a valid release from their former association. Registration with the BWHA will trigger a release from the player’s previous association and transfer of their membership to the BWHA. Players must ensure that all requirements for release from their previous association are met.
• Players who have previously played with an Ontario Minor Hockey Association team are eligible for registration, with no further action required, so long as they have never been registered with an OWHA association - otherwise a release will be required.

Player Health & Safety Measures:

The BWHA’s 2022-23 season will fully comply with all restrictions and regulations provided by the Ontario Government, the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit, the City of Barrie, the Ontario Women’s Hockey Association, and Hockey Canada. Health and safety measures may be instituted to ensure the health and safety of players, parents, coaches, officials, and other volunteers. These could include:

• Health screenings, and/or the collection of participant heath information
• Procedures to follow will individual are ill and/or test positive for Covid-19 or other communicable disease
• Restrictions on certain activities, or modified game rules
• Limitations on group sizes
• Specific directions on facility use, including facility entry protocols, dressing room usage, etc.
• Modified games rules (as defined by the OWHA) will be used to limit/reduce physical contact

Specifics on the measures and procedures in place will be provided before the start of the season and updated throughout as circumstances change. By registering, participants will acknowledge that some circumstances may change, and they will agree to always follow all protocols and directions.

Refund Policy:

• Once tryouts commence, tryout registration fees paid will be non-refundable.
• Competitive Program registrations include a $345 amount that covers each player’s portion of league overhead and administration costs - including: association expenses (rent, salaries, etc.); OWHA registration and Hockey Canada insurance for players and team officials; use of competitive jerseys and socks for each player.
• Please review the BWHA’s refund policy for more information.

Frequently Asked Questions:

I don’t know whether I want to play in the House League or Competitive program - what should I register for?

Where are House League games played?
Our House League teams play in the Simcoe Muskoka Girls Hockey League, which includes teams from Huntsville, Orillia, Midland, Collingwood, and Barrie. With multiple BWHA teams in each level, normally 60-70% of all games for BWHA teams are played in Barrie. The BWHA schedules games at all Barrie-area arenas, including some games at Stroud Community Centre, and Innisfil Recreation Complex.

When are House League games and practices?
The season typically starts with practices and development skates before the league game schedule begins. Once the regular schedule settles in, teams typically have two ice times per week - one practice and one game. For the U9 and U11 divisions, typically all activities will take place on Saturdays and Sundays - with only occasional minor exceptions if dates are required to be rescheduled due to weather or other cancellations.

When will the full season schedule be released?
House League pre-season development activities will begin in September, as detailed above. Team activities will begin the weekend of October 1, 2022.  The full season schedule will be provided in September 2022.

How long is the season? When is Championship weekend?

• The House League season will run through March 2023. Championship weekend is scheduled for Sunday, March 26, 2023.

Will House League play on Thanksgiving weekend?

• The ice season is too short, and there are not enough weekends between October and March to complete our full regular season schedule if we don't play on Thanksgiving weekend. Games and practices may be scheduled as usual on Thanksgiving weekend, including Sunday afternoon and Monday evening.

Will House League play during the Christmas season?

• Games and practices may be scheduled up to and including Monday, December 19, 2022
• Games and practices will NOT be scheduled between December 20 and January 2, 2023
• Games and practices may resume starting Friday, January 6, 2023.

NEW: BWHA Family Day Winter Classic House League Tournament

• After over 25 years, our Sharkfest Tournament has become too big for a single weekend - with not enough ice or hotel rooms in Barrie to make the weekend any bigger. In order to continue meeting the growing demand, starting in 2022-23 Sharkfest will be competitive teams only - and the BWHA is excited to announce a new tournament dedicated just for our house league divisions! The very first Barrie Sharks Family Day Winter Classic will run February 17-19, 2023. All BWHA house league teams will be automatically registered in this tournament. Following OWHA rules, tournament schedules are released two weeks before the event. All teams should plan to play the morning of Friday, February 17, 2023

What about other tournaments?

• U9: In accordance with Hockey Canada’s Development Pathways direct that U9 teams should register in no more than 2 half-ice jamboree between September and the end of December, and one full-ice tournament between January and the end of the season. In accordance with these rules, our U9 house league teams will be registered in our new BWHA Family Day Winter Classic, and only be permitted to play up to 2 half-ice jamboree prior to January.
• U11: Our House League teams play a maximum of 3 tournaments per season - including our new BWHA Family Day Winter Classic Tournament and a maximum of 2 other tournaments. Each team determines their own tournament schedule, which is set by the head coach after discussion with parents and players. Tournament registration fees - including the BWHA Family Day Winter Classic - are NOT included in registration fees. Each team will collect tournament registration fees directly from parents.

Questions? Need more information?

For questions about our 2022-2023 House League program, please email youthhouseleague@bwha.ca