As the 2024 - 2025 season continues with teams well into their regular season schedules, there have been some questions raised by Regions and Minor Hockey Associations regarding the operating procedure for games at the U7 and U9 levels.

In response to some of those questions, Hockey Manitoba would like to provide some reminders for teams and associations as to what game days should look like at these levels.
 
U7 Cross-Ice
 
Since the 2015-16 season, all U7 hockey in Manitoba has been played with a cross-Ice format. This cross-ice format became the national standard in 2017-18 and has continued to operate as the primary model for U7 hockey across Canada.
 
Cross-ice hockey is defined as having multiple games (2-3 games) operating concurrently on the same sheet of ice with the playing area for each game being clearly defined within the space of either the offensive zone or the neutral zone area. Teams play their game across the width of the ice in their designated game zone, rather than the length of the ice.

Below is a basic diagram that provides a visual of how the ice can be separated.

Teams at U7 are not permitted to play games where the game zone occupies an entire half of the ice nor are they permitted to play games that utilize the full sheet of ice for one game. By shrinking the designated game zone to a cross ice section, it creates an environment that promotes more puck touches, more passing and increased proximity to the game action for all participants.

Additional information on U7 cross-ice along with information on Long Term Athlete Development can be found in the Hockey Canada Player Pathway document that is linked below.
 
U7 Hockey Canada Player Pathway

U9 Half-Ice
 
Since the 2016-17 season, all U9 hockey in Manitoba has been played with a half-ice format. This half-ice format became the national standard in 2018-19 and has continued to operate as the primary model for U9 hockey across Canada.
 
Half-ice hockey is defined as having 1-2 games operating concurrently on the same sheet of ice with the playing area for each game occupying a half-ice section (centre red line to the end boards). Teams play their game length wise on the half-ice section. The half of the ice not being used for the game is to be used as a Development Zone providing opportunity for additional activity and skill work rather than extended inactivity on the players bench.

Below is a basic diagram that provides a visual of how the ice can should be separated.

Teams at U9 are not permitted to play full-ice games where the game zone occupies the full sheet of ice, nor are teams at U9 permitted to play games where the game zone occupies 3/4 of the sheet of ice.

By increasing the designated game zone to a half-ice section, it creates an environment that provides more opportunity to begin implementing more team oriented concepts than at the U7 level. By continuing to use a modified game zone it still allows for more puck touches, more passing and increased proximity to the game action for all participants.
 
Additional information on U9 half-ice along with information on Long Term Athlete Development can be found in the Hockey Canada Player Pathway document that is linked below.
 
U9 Hockey Canada Player Pathway
 
U9 Hockey Manitoba Half-Ice Guidelines