What does U18 mean in hockey?
Isabella Ramos
Updated on February 26, 2026
under 18 years
U18 (formerly Midget): under 18 years of age Many provinces have U16 or minor Midget leagues that are for 15-year-old players and major midget for 16 to 17-year-old players. U20 (formerly Juvenile): under 20 years of age, for players who want to remain in hockey at a minor hockey association level.
What are the different hockey levels?
The Hierarchy of Hockey
- USAH – Junior Hockey: General Information. Visit Website.
- Major Junior – CHL (Canadian Hockey League)
- Tier I Junior – USHL (United States Hockey League)
- Tier II Junior – NAHL (North American Hockey League)
- Tier II Junior – CJHL (Canadian Junior Hockey League)
- Tier III Junior – USAH Leagues.
What is U16 hockey?
Hockey Canada Announces Change to Age-Division Names
| CURRENT NAME | AGE* | NEW NAME |
|---|---|---|
| Bantam | 14 years old and under | Under-15 (U15) |
| Minor Midget | 15 years old and under | Under-16 (U16) |
| Midget | 17 years old and under | Under-18 (U18) |
| Juvenile | 20 years old and under | Under-21 (U21) |
What is Tier 3 hockey?
Tier 3 hockey is meant for 18 to 20 year old players who need more development. Players who are lacking a certain skill, physical attribute or mental toughness.
What is Tier 2 hockey?
The second tier is Junior A, governed nationally by the Canadian Junior Hockey League and is composed of several regional leagues. In the United States, the top level is Tier I, represented by the United States Hockey League. Tier II is represented by the North American Hockey League.
What does U15 mean in hockey?
Can a 16 year old play in the NHL?
The 16-year-old season is also the first in which a player has the option of going to the Canadian Hockey League. It can be a very tempting option for a player, but there are many other options available to the top-end American talent.
What is the minor hockey development system in Alberta?
Hockey Alberta establishes an outlined system of development that starts at U15 AAA and concludes at Major Junior (U15 AAA, U16 AAA, U18 AAA, Junior A, and Major Junior). All Elite Leagues and Local Minor Hockey Associations are to focus on moving players through the system to the next level.
What is the age range for minor hockey in Canada?
U13 (formerly Peewee): under 13 years of age U15 (formerly Bantam): under 15 years of age U18 (formerly Midget): under 18 years of age Many provinces have U16 or minor Midget leagues that are for 15-year-old players and major midget for 16 to 17-year-old players.
What is the difference between U18 and U20 hockey?
U18 (formerly Midget): under 18 years of age Many provinces have U16 or minor Midget leagues that are for 15-year-old players and major midget for 16 to 17-year-old players. U20 (formerly Juvenile): under 20 years of age, for players who want to remain in hockey at a minor hockey association level.
What are the U15 and U16 regional camps?
The U15 and U16 Regional Camps are operated in co-operation with the BC AAA Leagues and the Canadian Sport School Hockey League (CSSHL). Team staff from local teams will be assigned a camp location with the expectation to deliver the camp and a high performance experience for the players in attendance.
