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Welcome letter 2026
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Welcome to Minor Hockey Week 2026 

We are so excited to welcome everyone to Minor Hockey Week 2026!

We hope that players, coaches, and managers enjoy and appreciate the extra details that make Minor Hockey Week feel different from the regular season and more like a true tournament experience. Creating an atmosphere of fun, excitement, and community is our primary goal.

Did you know?
 • 82 teams are registered with FMMHA
• Over 1,360 registered players
 • More than 115 registered officials
 • Over 250 dedicated coaches
 • And, of course, a team manager for every team

These incredible numbers reflect the strength of our hockey community and the many volunteers who make our association truly exceptional. With more than 300 games and special events taking place throughout the week, Minor Hockey Week is truly a celebration of our sport.

Please take the time to read this welcome letter in its entirety so you know exactly what to expect during Minor Hockey Week. We truly hope you and your teams enjoy the best week of the season!

MHW 2026 Details

Welcome Package

This is a celebration of Minor Hockey and our Association, so we are starting it with a special gift for EVERY player and team!  Each team package includes the following:  

NOTE – Team Managers:
 Please advise the tournament committee immediately if you notice that any of the above items are missing.

Please ensure that all Tournament Headquarters tickets are distributed during your team’s first game at Frank Lacroix Arena (FLA). If your team is not scheduled to play at FLA (as it is not possible to schedule all teams there), tickets must be handed out during your first scheduled game, and teams should be encouraged to visit the Tournament Headquarters.

All tickets and welcome gifts must be given directly to players and must not be withheld by coaches. We have been made aware that in past years, some coaches used these items as incentives, requiring players to “earn” them. This practice is unacceptable and will not be permitted.

Awards and prizes

All games, including specialty games and those played on mini-ice or using cross-ice boards, will feature a WBHL Pro Shop Race, an entry into a draw for a team prize for  Shootout winners, as well as Heart & Hustle and MVP awards. 

Hockey Celebration Games

Minor Hockey Week is a celebration dedicated to honoring all our programs and the vibrant hockey community we cherish. Join us for special games crafted to celebrate every player. Rally your teams, come together, and immerse yourselves in the excitement of these dedicated matches. It's an opportunity to unite and cheer for our players of all ages—let's make it a memorable celebration of our shared love for the game!

U7 Family Skates

Our U7 teams will enjoy a dedicated family ice time, where players, coaches, siblings, and parents (moms and dads!) are all invited onto the ice together. This special session is all about fun, connection, and sharing the joy of hockey with our littlest athletes—truly celebrating one big hockey family.

Each team will also experience their first cross-ice hockey games, complete with buzzers and officials (or coach referees). This introduction to game play is designed to be fun, supportive, and age-appropriate, helping players learn in a positive and exciting environment.

U9 Junior Oil Baron/ Huskies Experience

Every U9 team has been paired with one of our Travel teams for one of two unique and memorable experiences:

Game Day Experience
 U9 players will join the older team as they prepare for a real league game, gaining an inside look at what it takes to compete at a higher level. From dryland preparation and warm-ups to the coach’s pre-game talk, they will experience the full game-day routine from start to finish.

Skate With Experience
 This on-ice session will be a fun, interactive practice filled with small-area games and skill-based drills, all led by the older travel team players. The focus is on inspiration, confidence-building, connection, and fun—while continuing to support player development.

Of course, U9 teams will also participate in a full round-robin Jamboree, giving players the opportunity to apply what they’ve learned in a fun, fast-paced, and game-focused environment.

U11 4 on 4 Small Area Challenge

The U11 4 on 4 Small Area Challenge will be one of the most exciting and fast-paced events of Minor Hockey Week! All U11 teams from WBHL and U11 A JOB will be mixed together into 15 balanced rosters, giving players the opportunity to skate with new teammates and showcase their skills in a series of small-area 4-on-4 exhibition games.

Taking place across multiple ice surfaces at MacDonald Island on Saturday, January 11, this event will be organized as controlled chaos — with teams racing from rink to rink to complete their full series of games. The small-area format is designed to emphasize puck touches, creativity, decision-making, and FUN, while keeping players constantly engaged.

Full rules, team rosters, and schedules will be communicated separately prior to the event. When the dust settles, one team will be crowned the U11 4 on 4 Small Area Challenge Champions — taking home bragging rights and the Championship Prize!

U13 Skills Competition

We’re excited to announce that the U13 Division will be participating in a U13 Skills Competition as part of Minor Hockey Week.

This event is designed to be a fun, high-energy showcase of individual and team skills, giving players an opportunity to challenge themselves, cheer on teammates, and enjoy a different style of competition outside of regular game play. The Skills Competition will feature a variety of skill-based stations, along with a team relay component, allowing all players to be involved and engaged throughout the event.

Full details—including date, time, location, station descriptions, and participation guidelines—will be shared closer to the event through team communications. Coaches will help manage rotations and ensure equal participation for all players.

We look forward to celebrating the talent, effort, and sportsmanship of our U13 athletes during this exciting Minor Hockey Week event.

MHW TOURNAMENT

U11, U13, U15, and U18 teams will all compete against one another in our Minor Hockey Week (MHW) tournament.

Please refer to the MHW Rules Document for full tournament formats and rules for all divisions from U7 through U18.

TOURNAMENT HEADQUARTERS 

The Frank Lacroix Multi-Purpose Room will be set up with games, activities, and raffles for players and families to enjoy. We encourage all teams to stop by and check it out!

Activities & Attractions Include:

*Sales for Raffle Tickets and 50/50 end Sunday Jan. 18th @ 3PM. All hours of operation are subject to volunteer sign up and commitment.

A huge thank you to all teams for their participation time in dedication in creating the baskets—we truly appreciate the time and effort put into them,  they are the highlight of the room each season.

Please Note: We experienced some issues with spills, food left in the room, and unsupervised children. To ensure the space remains clean, safe, and enjoyable for everyone, posted rules must be followed at all times.

NO FOOD OR DRINK IS ALLOWED IN THE TOURNAMENT HEADQUARTERS.
 All children must be supervised at all times.

HOURS OF OPERATION

Frank Lacroix

Weekdays

5:30 pm to 8:00 pm

Weekend

8:00 am to 9:00 pm

Fill The Net Team Challenge

The Fill the Net Challenge is back and continues to be a meaningful part of our community give-back initiative! 🏒💙

How it works is simple:

This Year’s Donations Support:

Drop-Off Location:

Donations can be dropped off at Tournament Headquarters during operating hours.

Grand Prize:

Let’s fill the net, support our community, and add a little extra excitement to the tournament. Every donation makes a difference!

Oil Barons Game Minor Hockey Night!

The AJHL Oil Barons are hosting Minor Hockey Night on January 17, with puck drop at 7:00 PM.

Any minor hockey player wearing their FMMHA jersey will receive free admission to the game. Parents, siblings, and other family members will need to purchase tickets for their seats.

Please note:
• Children 14 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
• Players attending without an adult who appear younger than 15 may be asked to provide ID at the door.

OPENING CEREMONIES at Frank Lacroix  

On Thursday, January 8th, we invite all teams  to join us at Frank Lacroix Arena as we officially kick off Minor Hockey Week and celebrate the achievements from the past season.

The evening will begin with a fun and exciting Goalie Feature Game. All season long, goalies are the last line of defense before the puck hits the net — now it’s their turn to score!    Goalies will play a 5-on-5 game in full goalie gear, with no goalies in the net. Expect plenty of laughs both on the ice and in the stands.

Following the goalie game, we will move into our Lineup of Champions, recognizing the outstanding achievements of our players and teams from the past season.  Then our President will officially open Minor Hockey Week with a welcome message.   We will have a short presentation recognizing our Volunteer of the Year winners across five categories, and finally a Special Recognition of Excellence in Support of Minor Hockey, honouring our Arena Managers for their behind-the-scenes dedication in keeping our arenas safe and running smoothly.

To wrap up the evening, we will kick off Minor Hockey Week on the ice with our highly anticipated Coaches Game — including the race and the shootout!    Our coaches dedicate countless hours to our players both on and off the ice, and this game is a chance for them to have some fun while being celebrated by our hockey community.

Bring your players, families, and friends, and cheer LOUD and PROUD as we celebrate everything that makes Minor Hockey special. There will be lots of energy, excitement, and laughs from start to finish as well as prizes to be given away to fans.

A huge thank you to Jerry Neville Video Productions for being the Master of ceremonies and providing the commentary and music through the evening.

The tournament headquarters will be open to have that first look at the Baskets.    We look forward to celebrating with you and launching an exciting Minor Hockey Week!