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U9 Full-Ice
Two officials and a normal game structure, scaled for 7 and 8 year olds.
How U9 works
U9 is played on full ice with two officials. This season PCAHA wants a normal game structure so players learn the real rules of hockey. It is not up to the coaches.
| Periods | 3 stop-time periods |
| Ice slot | Not more than 75 minutes |
| Typical | 3 × 15 minutes, stop time. As in U11 and up, the third period may be shortened to fit the time left. |
| Shift changes | No 2-minute buzzer |
| Nets | Smaller nets, if available, until January 15 |
| Called | Offsides, icings, faceoffs and time-out penalties, every game |
| Score | Not shown on the clock. Goals are recorded in Spordle. |
Work with your partner
U9 games use two referees and no linespersons. You and your partner share the whole ice. At any moment, one of you is the lead and the other is the trail:
- Lead: the referee ahead of the play. Gets to the blue line first for offside, then works the goal line.
- Trail: the referee behind the play. Watches from behind and covers the next blue line.
When play turns around, you swap roles. Never both chase the puck. The goal is to also have a mentor on the ice with you. They guide you but are not one of the two officials.
Call offsides and icings
Both are called in every U9 game, using the normal Hockey Canada rules. Faceoff locations are normal too.
Time-out penalties
When you call a penalty, the player serves a 2-minute time out on their bench and a teammate replaces them on the ice. The team is never short-handed.
Goals and the game sheet
The score is not shown on the clock, but goals are recorded in Spordle because PCAHA is tracking results this season. Never announce the score. At the end of the game, review the goals and penalties on the game sheet, then sign it.
Help the game move
PCAHA asks referees, coaches and players to work together to keep play moving. Quick, clear restarts mean more hockey for the kids.
Two officials, three stop-time periods, offsides and icings called, 2-minute time-out penalties.