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U18 represents the final years of minor hockey. Due to the 3 birth year participation, there are additional breakdowns of teams within this division. These multiple streams each require a different level of skill and dedication. AMHA's goals for U18 revolve around 'train to play' strategies, where skills and systems are more extensively developed at the level of competition to which your player best matches. Female players have the option to tryout for female only teams. Due to ice constraints, there are capacity limitations in place at the time of registration. Once registered, AMHA does our best to ensure that each player is assigned a team.
U18 Elite stream programming offers 4 teams, run through the Airdrie Elite Hockey Committee (AEHC), a sub-committee of AMHA. Players selected for these teams through the Tryout process that starts in April, 2026 and is completed in early September, 2026, will require significant commitment and demonstrate skills in the top 25% of athletes. These teams practice at least twice weekly, with multiple games on the weekends. Games require travel across southern Alberta, primarily. League information for mixed gender teams can be found on the Alberta Elite Hockey League (AEHL) website. Female AA league information can be found on the Alberta Female Hockey League (AFHL) website. Further information can be found on the AEHC website. Elite level teams are the most expensive hockey option, although not all have expenses beyond registration.
U18 Competitive teams play in either the Central Alberta Hockey League (CAHL) or Rocky Mountain Female Hockey League (RMFHL). AMHA will make 3 CAHL and 2 RMFHL team, depending on registration numbers. At the U18 level, all CAHL teams are body checking teams, one of which is designated as the U16 Tier 1 team (made up of 2011 born players only). Players must demonstrate a suitable skill level during the Evaluation process, which occurs in September, 2026, and are typically in the top 50% of athletes. Teams in each league are tiered, based on skill. These teams will travel across southern Alberta (and possibly into BC) for weekend games. Each team will have 2 weekday full ice practices. Game duration is 2.25 hrs. Competitive level teams will have mandatory expenses beyond registration, in the forms of startup cash call and fundraising. Volunteer expectations are mandatory.
U18 Community teams play in the Rockies Hockey League (RHL), where teams are tiered based on skill. AMHA makes as many RHL teams as ice availability dictates, with the intention that all U18 players have a team. U18 RHL teams are Non-Body Checking. Placement is determined through the Evaluation process, which occurs in September, 2026. Teams in this league are parity in two tiers, based on skill. These teams may travel to nearby communities (Okotoks, Cochrane, etc) for a weekend game. Each team will have 1 weekday max ice practice. Game duration is 2 hrs. Community level teams will have mandatory expenses beyond registration, in the form of startup cash call and/or fundraising. Volunteer expectations are mandatory.
Familiarize yourself with Evaluation Expectations.