League and Schedules

SWZ U15 and U18 tiered teams play in the Edmonton Federation Hockey League (EFHL). Recreation League information is in its own section below. League schedules, rules and suspensions come from the EFHL. Your own team's games, practices and events are in TeamLinkt.

Questions about your team's schedule? Ask your team manager.

• EFHL 2026/27 Calendar: Important Dates (PDF)
• EFHL master calendar
• EFHL rules and regulations, including Respect the Game
• Player accumulated penalty suspensions, 2026/27 (PDF)
• Hockey Alberta minimum suspensions, 2026/27 (PDF)
• EFHL discipline FAQ (PDF)
• EFHL electronic gamesheet resources
• EFHL Managers Manual

U15

• Preseason: Sep 1 to Oct 8
• Tiering: Oct 9 to Nov 15
• Break: Nov 16 to 26
• Regular season: Nov 27 to Dec 22, and Jan 2 to Feb 21
• Tiering for playoffs: Jan 26
• Playoffs: Feb 26 to Mar 14

U18

• Preseason: Sep 1 to Oct 15
• Tiering: Oct 16 to Nov 22
• Break: Nov 23 to Dec 3
• Regular season: Dec 4 to Dec 22, and Jan 2 to Feb 21
• Tiering for playoffs: Jan 26
• Playoffs: Feb 26 to Mar 14

Both divisions break for Christmas (Dec 23 to Jan 1), Minor Hockey Week (Jan 8 to 17) and Feb 22 to 25 before playoffs. The season ends Mar 15. Provincials for U15 and U18 are March 18 to 21, 2027.

A blackout tells the league scheduler when your team can't play, so you aren't scheduled games or practices that weekend. Managers submit them before the deadline.

• Regular season blackouts: U15 Nov 16, U18 Nov 23
• Cost: $100 per blackout weekend (4 days) and $100 per game change. Game swaps with a team in your division and tier are free.

Every parent and guardian must hold a current Respect in Sport Parent certification. Every coach, manager and team official needs the Activity Leader certification before going on the ice.

Hockey Canada and Hockey Alberta are moving from Respect in Sport to a new program, The Shift Forward, starting in 2026/27. Current Respect in Sport certifications stay valid until they expire. When yours expires, take The Shift Forward instead.

• Hockey Alberta: Respect in Sport
• Hockey Edmonton: The Shift Forward
  

SWZ Recreation players play in the EFHL Recreational League, a non body checking league focused on participation, fun and meeting new people. It's a less structured program than tiered hockey.

• Who: U15, U18 and U21 players, by age as of December 31 of the season.
• Season: 18 games, about one a week, from mid October to March.
• Practices: one meet and greet practice when teams are formed. No other practices.
• Games: 60 to 90 minutes with stop time, with certified Hockey Alberta referees.
• No standings: no tiering, exhibition, tournament or playoff games. Teams are kept balanced, including a three goal limit for any player.
• Body contact: non body checking. Body contact is allowed the same way as in female hockey.
• Coaches: volunteer parents with players on the team. Head coaches are recommended to have Coach 2.

EFHL Recreational League

Questions: contact Nathan Schmidt, SWZ Recreation Director, at recdirector@swzhockey.ca.