Tournament Policy

HOCKEY CALGARY TOURNAMENT POLICY 2025-2026

WHEN CAN TEAMS HOST OR ATTEND TOURNAMENTS
*Refer to each Age Category for exceptions and limitations*

Preseason U11 to U18: September 19 to October 17
Season Break: November 17 to November 30
Regular Season: December 1 to December 21 (Must request Schedule Windows)
Winter Break: December 22 to January 1
Regular Season: January 2 to February 22 (Must request Schedule Windows)
Post Season U7 & U9: February 23 to April 30
Post Season U11 to U18: March 19 to April 30
Seeding Round: October 18 to November 16
Teams may attend a tournament during the Seeding Round under the following scenarios

The team has a bye weekend in their schedule
The team has successfully rescheduled a game in conflict using the game reschedule policy and meeting all criteria GAME RESCHEDULE POLICY
Games may only be rescheduled during the Seeding Round from October 31 to November 16. Games that were originally scheduled before that date cannot be rescheduled.

SCHEDULE WINDOWS
Hockey Calgary has implemented an “Additional Schedule Window” for the 2025-2026 season that will allow U7 to U18 teams to access an additional schedule window, for a fee, during the Regular Season for a maximum of 2 Schedule Windows. Previously, teams were permitted to take 1 complimentary schedule window during the Regular Season.

The Seeding Round will remain unchanged, teams will not be permitted to use a Schedule Window during the Seeding Round.
The first Schedule Window will be complimentary to the team.
U9 to U18 – The second Schedule Window will be accompanied by a $200.00 fee, payable at time of request to confirm Schedule Window. Fee will be non-refundable.
U7 - Both Schedule Windows are complimentary.

COMMUNITY TIERED TEAMS (INCLUDING U11AA)

The Seeding Round will remain unchanged, teams will not be permitted to use a Schedule Window during the Seeding Round
U7 - Both Schedule Windows are complimentary
U9 to U18
- The first Schedule Window will be complimentary to the team
- The second Schedule Window will be accompanied by a $200.00 fee, payable at time of request to confirm Schedule Window. Fee will be non-refundable.

U7 TEAMS (TIMBITS)
U7 teams may request 2 Schedule Windows during the Regular Season to host or attend a tournament within the following parameters.

Deadline to request the Schedule Windows is November 10
U7 teams may use one Schedule Window to host or attend a tournament of their choice
U7 teams must use their second Schedule Window to attend their home Member Club hosted tournament (if applicable)

U9 TO U18 TEAMS
U9 to U18 teams may request 2 Schedule Windows during the Regular Season to host or attend a tournament within the following parameters.

Deadline to request a Schedule Window is November 10
Teams are not permitted to request a Schedule Window to attend a tournament during the Seeding Round
Teams are not permitted to HOST tournaments during the Seeding Round: October 18 to November 16

MINOR FEMALE TEAMS
U7 TEAMS (TIMBITS)
U7 teams may request 2 Schedule Windows during the Second Phase (Regular Season for Community) to host or attend a tournament within the following parameters.

Both Schedule Windows are complimentary
Deadline to request the Schedule Windows is November 10
U7 teams may use one Schedule Window to host or attend a tournament of their choice
U7 teams must use their second Schedule Window to attend their home Member Club hosted tournament (if applicable)

U9 to U18 TEAMS
First Phase Schedule – October 18 to November 16 (Seeding Round for Community)

Teams will be permitted to use ONE Schedule Window during the First Phase (Seeding Round for Community – October 18 to November 16)
Deadline to request a Schedule Window is September 29
Teams are not permitted to HOST tournaments during the First Phase (Seeding Round for Community)

Second Phase Schedule – December 1 to December 21 & January 2 to February 22 (Regular Season for Community)

Teams will be permitted to use ONE Schedule Window during the Second Phase (Regular Season for Community – December 1 to February 22)
Deadline to request the Schedule Windows is November 10

NOTE for Minor Female U9 to U18 Teams

The first Schedule Window will be complimentary to the team
The second Schedule Window will be accompanied by a $200.00 fee, payable at time of request to confirm Schedule Window. Fee will be non-refundable
If teams do not use a Schedule Window in the First Phase (Seeding Round), they ARE NOT PERMITTED to use two Schedule Windows in the Second Phase (Regular Season). There will be no exceptions.

ESSO MINOR HOCKEY WEEK (January 9 to 17)
U7 TEAMS (TIMBITS)

U7 teams do not participate in Esso Minor Hockey Week, teams may host or attend tournaments during this period
A Schedule Window request is required to host or attend during this time frame

U9 TEAMS

U9 teams only participate on the first weekend and may host or attend after January 11
A Schedule Window request is required to host or attend after January 11

U11 to U18 TEAMS

U11 to U18 teams are not permitted to host or attend tournaments during Esso Minor Hockey Week

ADRENALIN CITY CHAMPIONSHIPS (February 23 to March 18)
In U11 and older age categories, it is not recommended that teams host or attend tournaments between the end of the Regular Season and the end of Adrenalin City Championships. Should a team decide to host or attend a tournament during this period it is with the understanding that in the event of a conflict between a playoff game and a tournament game, the playoff game must be played as scheduled. There will be no exceptions made, and no playoff games will be rescheduled to accommodate tournament games.

HOW MANY TOURNAMENTS CAN A TEAM HOST OR ATTEND
U7 TEAMS (TIMBITS)
Junior

Teams can host or attend tournaments beginning November 28
Maximum 2 tournaments/jamborees (excluding Hockey Calgary Timbits Jamboree)
Maximum 1 out of town tournament (defined as any rink outside Hockey Calgary boundaries)
- See updated list of arenas that fall within the radius to not be counted as an out-of-town tournament total

Senior

Teams can host or attend tournaments beginning November 14
Maximum 3 tournaments/jamborees (excluding Hockey Calgary Timbits Jamboree)
Maximum 1 out of town tournament (defined as any rink outside Hockey Calgary boundaries)
- See updated list of arenas that fall within the radius to not be counted as an out-of-town tournament total

U9 TEAMS

Teams can attend tournaments beginning November 1
Teams may host tournaments beginning November 17
Maximum 3 tournaments/jamborees (excluding Esso Minor Hockey Week)
Maximum 2 out of town tournaments (defined as any rink outside Hockey Calgary boundaries)
- See updated list of arenas that fall within the radius to not be counted as an out-of-town tournament total

U11 to U18 TEAMS

Maximum 4 tournaments (excluding Esso Minor Hockey Week, Adrenalin City Championships and Provincials)
- Exceptions may be made with the written approval of their Member Club sent into Hockey Calgary
Maximum 2 out of town tournaments (defined as any rink outside Hockey Calgary boundaries)
- See updated list of arenas that fall within the radius to not be counted as an out-of-town tournament total
  - Exceptions may be made with the written approval of their Member Club sent into Hockey Calgary

GAME RESCHEDULE POLICY
Hockey Calgary has implemented a “Game Reschedule Policy” for the 2025-2026 season that will allow U7 to U18 teams access to request a game reschedule to attend an additional tournament, for a fee, during the Seeding Round or Regular Season.
Previously, teams were not permitted to request a game change.
All Game Reschedules must follow the criteria and guidelines as laid out in the Game Reschedule Policy.
Hockey Calgary strongly recommends teams do not commit to tournaments (especially during the Seeding Round) until you have received official confirmation from Hockey Calgary of the approved game reschedule.
Games will not be rescheduled if the criteria has not been met. There will be no exceptions made to reschedule games that do not meet the criteria or if the team has committed without having approval to do so.
Teams that choose to attend a tournament without having official confirmation of a game reschedule will be subject to suspension of the head coach and a possible fine.
Please refer to the GAME RESCHEDULE POLICY for full information.

ARENAS THAT FALL WITHIN THE RADIUS TO NOT BE COUNTED TOWARDS THE OUT-OF-TOWN TOURNAMENT TOTAL
Hockey Calgary has included rinks within 70km from the center of Calgary (using Google Maps) for the purpose of teams hosting or attending tournaments that will not count towards the teams out of town tournament count.
These rinks are a reasonable distance that likely wouldn’t require a hotel with minimal increased travel.
Tournaments hosted at these rinks will still require tournament hosts to secure their own officials. Officials will not be assigned by Hockey Calgary.
Teams are still required to request a Travel Permit to attend.

TOURNAMENT SANCTIONS
Member Club Hosted Tournaments
Hockey Calgary will approve all Member Club hosted tournaments at the start of the 2024-2026 season in advance of team tournament requests. These tournaments will be sanctioned beginning July 15.

In Town Tournament Requests During Tournament Breaks (rinks within Hockey Calgary boundaries)
Hockey Calgary will approve a maximum number of tournaments within each Age Category and Tier during each weekend of the Preseason, Season Break, Winter Break and Post Season.

Rationale
This will ensure:

The availability of qualified officials so tournament games can be played in a safe manner.
Tournaments are not cancelled due to lack of teams or interest.
Calgary’s ice pool is utilized in an effective manner.

Guidelines

Tournament Naming – the name of the tournament will be reviewed and approved. Please keep the naming convention age appropriate and respectful.
Each Member Club may request a maximum of 5 tournaments per weekend, with no more than 2 within the top 3 tiers of the same age category. This includes both Member Club and Team requests.
Hockey Calgary will manage approval of tournament requests to ensure the number of tournaments does not exceed the number in the table below.
Tournament format must be a maximum of 4 teams and 8 games, excluding U7 (Timbits).
Exceptions may be made for tournaments with out of town teams attending where the total number of tournament games that weekend does not exceed the Central Region maximum.
Hockey Calgary does not recommend U11 to U18 teams host in town tournaments during the Adrenalin City Championships (February 23 to March 18). Tournament Sanctions may be approved during this time with the understanding that in the event of a schedule conflict, the Adrenalin City Championship games will take priority and will be played as scheduled.
Tournament Sanction requests will remain pending until the listed approval date.
- If the number of requests is within the limitations detailed in the above chart, requests will be approved within 24 hours of the approval date.
- If the number of requests exceeds limitations, a random draw will be made from all requests and those drawn will be approved within 24 hours of the approval date.

Tier	U9	Tier	U11	Tier	U13	Tier	U15	U18
1	4	AA	3	AA	3	BC1	2	2
2	4	1	3	1	3	BC2	2	2
3	4	2	3	2	3	BC3	2	2
4	4	3	3	3	3	NBC1	2	2
		4	3	4	3	NBC2	2	2
		5	3	5	3	NBC3	2	2
						NBC4	2

In Town Tournaments Requests During Regular Season (rinks within Hockey Calgary boundaries)

Tournament format must be a maximum of 4 teams and 8 games
- Exception will be to U7 (Timbits) tournament requests
Each Member Club may request a maximum of 1 tournament per weekend
Ice must be supplied by the Member Club Scheduler from their usual private contracts
Member Club must ensure they provide the minimum ice requirement for scheduling their regular season games. This includes U7 (Timbits) tournament requests.
Teams hosting or attending a tournament are required to use their 2 Schedule Windows. If a team does not use their Schedule Window, Regular Season games must be played as scheduled in the event of a conflict.

Approval Dates for In Town Tournaments

Preseason Tournaments (September 19 - October 17) – Approvals begin on August 1 (deadline to submit request is August 12)
Season Break Tournaments (November 17 - 30) – Approvals begin on September 26 (deadline to submit request is October 12)
Regular Season (Dec 1 - Feb 22) – Approvals begin on September 26
Winter Break Tournaments (December 22 - January 1) – Approvals begin on September 26 (deadline to submit request is November 12)
Post Season Tournaments U7/U9 (February 23 - April 30) – Approvals begin on November 10 (deadline to submit request is January 12)
Post Season Tournaments U11 to U18 (March 19 to April 30) – Approvals begin on November 10 (deadline to submit request is February 12)

Out of Town Tournament Requests (rinks outside Hockey Calgary boundaries)
Hockey Calgary will consider tournament requests for out of town tournaments during the Preseason, Season Break, Winter Break, Regular Season and Post Season.

Each team may HOST a maximum of 1 out of town tournament during the full season
Tournaments are limited to a maximum of 4 Calgary teams during the Regular Season, you may host a larger tournament if teams from outside Calgary boundaries are attending
To minimize financial exposure, Hockey Calgary recommends:
- Host teams do not sign ice contracts until their tournament sanction has been approved
- Ensure local ranked and certified officials are available through the Referee in Chief or their designate from the Local Minor Hockey Association in the jurisdiction where the games are being played before requesting their tournament sanction
Tournament sanction requests will be approved within 5 business days of submission.
The rationale behind placing a maximum limit on the number of out of town tournaments teams can host or attend is to minimize the financial impact for families and to ensure that participating in community hockey can be accessible for all.
Teams hosting or attending are required to use their 2 Schedule Windows if scheduled within the Regular Season. If a team does not use their Schedule Windows, Regular Season games must be played as scheduled in the event of a conflict.

OUT OF TOWN TOURNAMENT REFEREE ASSIGNING PROCEDURE

Contact the local assignor or Referee-In-Chief from the Local Minor Hockey Association in the jurisdiction where the games are being played.
If the local MHA cannot assign officials, the tournament may request that Central Region Referees Committee assign officials from Calgary by contacting the appropriate assignor
- NOTE: Hockey Calgary scheduled League Games are a priority. Central Region does not guarantee that they will be able to assign your tournament.
Conditions for Central Region to assign officials from Calgary to official tournaments outside Hockey Calgary boundaries.
- Tournaments will incur costs for officials’ accommodation, mileage, and per diem per Hockey Alberta guidelines (https://officials.hockeyalberta.ca/standards/officials-pay-rates/)
- Officials will be registered with Hockey Alberta as an official in the current playing season
- Hockey Alberta official rates apply (https://officials.hockeyalberta.ca/standards/officials-pay-rates/)
- Coaches are not permitted to be booked as officials (with the exception of U9, and only if officials are not available)
- Limits on the games for officials are as follows:
  - Minimum 2, Maximum 4 games assigned per day
- Officials must be certified to officiate the applicable level of hockey (i.e. a 15 year old official is not permitted to referee U18 hockey)
If the local Assignor and Central Region cannot assign officials, the tournament may be cancelled. Teams are not permitted to source officials on their own.
If tournament organizers do not comply with the above conditions and/or source officials without the approval of Central Region or the local Assignor, the Manager and Head Coach of the host team will be suspended.

HOSTING A TOURNAMENT

A team or Member Club planning to host a tournament in the current season must apply online at www.hockeycalgary.ca.
The application must be approved by Hockey Calgary and a tournament sanction number issued.
Hosts may not accept teams that are not registered with Hockey Alberta or affiliated branches of Hockey Canada (Example: BC Hockey). Coaches and team management will be subject to suspension by Hockey Calgary for violation of this rule.
All host teams must complete and submit the “Play in a Tournament” form on the Team Manager user account. A travel permit will be auto-approved and automatically sent to the team manager by email, and a Schedule Window will be created if appropriate. If the travel permit does not meet the requirements, it will be revoked.
The tournament shall be played under Hockey Calgary rules, and the tournament committee must agree to follow the minimum suspensions as set out by Hockey Calgary in conjunction with the League Chair/Governor. Failure for the tournament to follow Hockey Calgary rules or minimum suspensions may result in all tournament permits being revoked for the Host Member Club.
It is the responsibility of the Tournament Coordinator to obtain a copy of the official team roster and travel permit for all teams travelling outside of Calgary.
All games, with the exception of U7 (Timbits), must be officiated by referees who have been certified in the current year and are qualified for that level of hockey.
Using the Tournament Coordinator login and password that was issued with the approved tournament sanction to log into the Hockey Calgary website. The Tournament Coordinator must, within 24 hours of completion of the tournament, enter all game details, and upload a PDF/picture copy of the official game report. Retain the white (top) copy of the official game report to ensure this can be completed.
- If you requested to have the tournament listed on the Hockey Alberta website you are NOT required to enter the game details into that sanction. You only need to enter them into the Hockey Calgary website.
Failure to comply with the conditions described on the tournament sanction may result in future tournament sanctions being denied and/or revoked.
A sanction does not need to be secured through Hockey Alberta, only Hockey Calgary. If you wish to have your tournament posted on the Hockey Alberta website you may request a sanction through the Centre Ice Portal on the Hockey Alberta website. See instructions in the Tournament FAQ's on how to proceed posting to Hockey Alberta website.

ATTENDING A TOURNAMENT

Teams must not play any games against teams not registered with Hockey Alberta or affiliated branches of Hockey Canada. This applies to tournaments not sanctioned by Hockey Alberta or Hockey Canada. Coaches and team management may be subject to suspension by Hockey Calgary for violation of this rule.
Teams must complete and submit the “Play in a Tournament” form on the Team Manager user account. A travel permit will be auto-approved and automatically sent to the team manager by email, and a Schedule Window will be created if appropriate. If the travel permit does not meet the listed requirements, it will be revoked.
Please request a copy of the game report from the tournament organizer.
If you are attending a tournament that is being hosted by another Hockey Calgary team, the tournament host will enter the scoresheets, you do not need to enter the information from the game reports.
Details contained on the official game report(s) for all tournament games played within and outside the Calgary Region (as filed with Hockey Alberta), must be entered into the Travel Permit and a PDF/picture copy of the official game report uploaded at the Hockey Calgary website within 24 hours of the completion of the tournament.
If the tournament scores were completed using an online scoresheet system the scoresheet information still needs to be entered into the Hockey Calgary system.
Failure to comply with the conditions described may result in future tournament sanctions being denied and/or revoked.