2022-23 House League - U13, U15 and U18

 U13, U15, U18 Season Start:

• Pre-season development skates for U13 and U15 players will be held on September 17, 18, and 24, 2022
• Pre-season development skates for U18 players will be held on September 24, 2022
• Evaluation skates for U13, U15 and U18 will be held on September 25, 2022
• Team formation and player assignment will take place the week of September 26, 2022.
• Team practices and games will begin the weekend of October 1, 2022

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.

U13 Start of Season Schedule

U15 Start of Season Schedule

U18 Start of Season Schedule

Registration Deadlines: All Levels

Advance registration is required - players not registered by the following deadlines may not be permitted to participate:

2021-22 House League Overview & Fees (U13, U15, U18)

*Total practices includes 2 pre-season skates for U13 and U15 level.

• 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.

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 2022-23 (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:

• 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 ($245 for U13, U15, U18) is 100% non-refundable once the season begins.
• Refunds will not be provided for where a player opts to withdraw once the season has started, or due to injury
• Again this year, the BWHA remains committed to refunding players for any unfinished portion of the season should circumstances not allow our 2022-23 season to be completed as planned - less the $245 overhead and administration fee.
• Please review the BWHA’s refund policy for the 2022-2023 season.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Where are House League games played?
Our U13, U15 and U18 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. Divisions typically play on the following days of the week:

• U13: primarily weekends, with some Monday or Friday evenings.
• U15: primarily weekends, with some Monday or Friday evenings.
• U18: weekends and Monday evenings and Friday evenings

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?

• 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