U13 AA
Updated June 14, 2026
U13aa Summary
At this elite level, there is a higher expectation regarding attendance and work ethic.
Families should anticipate an increased time commitment, including multiple practices a week, mandatory off-ice dryland training, travel for games, and team events.
Understand that if accepted onto this team, you are agreeing to fully support your player through this increased time commitment and the high expectations of the AA program.
2026-2027 Season Overview
TryOuts:
- U13AA Tryouts are separate from the U13 Community Evaluations
- There is a $200 fee to tryout for U13AA
- This fee will cover the ice times, any evaluation costs, exhibition games and official /referee costs
- The fee is non-refundable. If you do not make the U13AA team, you will then join the U13 Community evaluations
- All players are guaranteed a minimum of 2 ice times during these evaluations
Costs:
- The fundraising and cash call requirements are substantially higher on this team
- Dryland, apparel, extra games, skill development and travel expenses are FULLY FUNDED BY THE TEAM
- There is an additional $990 fee in addition to the U13 registration fee and tryout fee (total registration fee is $2620)
The $990 additional fee for this program is to cover the cost of:
- More practices on full ice
- 90 min games
- 3 officials per game
- AEHL fees (including statistics tracking, e-game sheets and live app updates)
- Entry fee to the Thanksgiving Classic Tournament
Practices:
- Minimum of one full ice practice per week
- Minimum of one 30-30-30 full ice/shared ice practice per week
Off-Ice Development:
- 8-10 dryland sessions have been scheduled by McKnight. PAID BY THE TEAM; McKnight has scheduled these times to ensure some availability.
On-Ice Development:
- 8-10 on-ice skills development sessions have been scheduled by McKnight. PAID BY THE TEAM; McKnight has scheduled these times to ensure some availability.
Games:
- Games will be 90-minute ice times
- 28 league games per season
- Online scorekeeping and statistic tracking (AEHL's website and app)
Included Tournaments:
- Thanksgiving Classic for U13 Elite teams in Calgary (October 9-12, 2026)
- Esso Minor Hockey Week in January in Calgary (Jan 8-16, 2027)
- City Championships in Calgary (all U13AA teams will qualify)
2026-27 TRYOUT Format
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if a player is released from the Northstars or the Fire?
If a player is released and has registered for U13 AA tryouts, they will be placed into the U13 AA McKnight evaluation process.
If the player did not register for McKnight's U13AA tryouts, they will enter the U13 Community evaluation process.
The released player would now follow the formal evaluation process outlined by McKnight Hockey.
What happens if a player is released from Northstars or Fire during McKnight's U13AA evaluations?
The released player will join the McKnight U13AA evaluations (if they registered to tryout). This may occur at any time during the McKnight process.
What happens if a player is released from McKnight's U13AA Evaluations?
Players released from the U13 AA evaluation process will be placed into the McKnight U13 Community evaluations.
Note: Being released from AA does not guarantee placement in the A group or, ultimately, the U13-1 team
I did not register my player to evaluate for U13AA. Can I do that now?
Players can add the U13AA tryout fee up until the day before the first evaluated skate.
Can my player switch positions during the U13AA evaluations?
Players must declare their position (Defense, forward or goalie) before the evaluations begin and cannot change during the U13AA evaluations process.
U13 Contacts
U13 Coordinator
TBA
u13coordinator@mcknighthockey.com
U13 Evaluations
TBA
U13-eval@mcknighthockey.com