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New to hockey in Manitoba? Here is how it works.

For first-time and newcomer families: how registration works, what it costs, what you have to do as a parent, how to try it before you commit, what to buy, and the words you will hear at the rink. Every fact links to Hockey Manitoba, Hockey Canada or the program itself, with the day we checked.

Find your association

The short version

1. Find your association
Hockey Manitoba assigns you by driving distance to the nearest arena. In Winnipeg, call 204-784-5454 and they will tell you which one.
2. Register online
Every association registers through the Hockey Canada Registry. Fees and dates are set by each association.
3. One parent takes the course
Respect in Sport for Parents, online, $12, by November 1, or your child cannot play.
4. Get the gear, show up, have fun
Certified helmet, face and throat protection are the non-negotiables. U7 is cross-ice and built around fun.

How registration works

You do not choose an association the way you choose a school. Hockey Manitoba’s rule is that a player registers with the minor hockey association nearest their home, measured by driving distance to the arena on all-weather roads. Each association sets its own programs, signup dates and fees, and all of them register through the Hockey Canada Registry online.

When

The season runs September 1 to April 30. Registration generally opens in late summer or early fall. Associations must accept registrations until January 10, so a mid-season start is possible.

Hockey Manitoba, New to Hockey · Checked Oct 10, 2026

Where

Use PuckReady's association directory (132 rows, by region and town) or Hockey Manitoba's directory. In Winnipeg, Hockey Manitoba's office at 204-784-5454 will point you to the right one.

Hockey Manitoba, Minor Hockey Associations · Checked Oct 10, 2026

How

Online through the Hockey Canada Registry, which every Manitoba association uses. You will need your child's birth certificate or equivalent and your address.

Hockey Manitoba, Minor Hockey Associations · Checked Oct 10, 2026

Hockey Manitoba age divisions
Division	Ages	What it looks like
U7	6 and under	Cross-ice on half a rink; the focus is fun. Often called Timbits.
U9	7 and 8	Half-ice games; more skating and passing.
U11	9 and 10	Full ice. In Winnipeg the first evaluations into A1, A2 and A3 happen here.
U13	11 and 12	Full ice; AA and AAA streams start to matter for some families.
U15	13 and 14	Body checking is allowed at most competitive levels from here; non-checking options exist.
U18	15 to 17	The last minor-hockey division; high school and junior paths open.

Ages from Hockey Manitoba’s New to Hockey page (checked Oct 10, 2026). Ice size and tier notes from PuckReady’s development timeline.

What it costs, and who helps

Hockey Manitoba does not publish fees; each association sets its own, and the Hockey Manitoba and Hockey Canada share ($73.68 per player in 2025-26) is collected on top. PuckReady’s estimator gives a low-to-high range for your child’s age, level and town, with every figure sourced.

Estimate this seasonRegistration, gear, extras and driving, by age and level.Money helpKidSport, Jumpstart, Hockey Winnipeg funds, the tax credit: amounts, who qualifies, deadlines.

Try it before you commit

Hockey Manitoba lists several ways to try the game without a full season: learn-to-skate programs, the NHL/NHLPA First Shift program (a first season with equipment included, ages 6 to 10), Esso Fun Days, Under-7 Faceoff festivals, Girls Hockey United, and floorball.

First Shift

A low-cost first season that includes the gear. Sessions are listed on Hockey Manitoba's page; there is no single deadline, each fills on its own.

Hockey Manitoba, First Shift Checked Oct 10, 2026First Shift listings on PuckReady

Learn to skate

Skating first, hockey later. Most need only skates and a helmet to start.

Hockey Manitoba, New to Hockey Checked Oct 10, 2026Learn-to-skate programs

Girls

Girls Hockey United and girls-only programs run alongside the co-ed divisions.

Hockey Manitoba, New to Hockey Checked Oct 10, 2026Girls' programs on PuckReady

What you must do as a parent

Hockey Manitoba requires that at least one parent or guardian of every minor hockey player hold the Respect in Sport for Parents certificate by November 1. Until one parent is certified, the player is ineligible for any sanctioned activity. It is an online course; Sport Manitoba lists it at $12 per parent, with access through Hockey Manitoba.

Hockey Manitoba, Respect in Sport for Parents Sport Manitoba (cost) Checked Oct 10, 2026

Beyond the course: teams run on volunteers. Expect to be asked to run the clock (Hockey Winnipeg offers timekeeper clinics each fall), help in the dressing room, or manage the team. Our rules for parents page covers what the signals and penalties mean.

What to buy

Hockey Canada’s rules centre on certified head, face and throat protection: a CSA-certified helmet with a certified full face protector, and a BNQ-certified neck guard. Associations can add requirements such as mouthguards, so ask yours before buying. Hockey Manitoba points parents to Hockey Canada’s equipment fitting guide rather than publishing its own list.

Helmet with full face protector (certified)
Neck guard (certified)
Skates (fitted; used is fine)
Shoulder pads, elbow pads, gloves
Pants, shin pads, jock or jill
Stick (height to the chin on skates is the usual rule of thumb)
Hockey socks, practice jersey, bag
Mouthguard if your association requires one

Hockey Canada, equipment fitting Equipment rules with citations Checked Oct 10, 2026

Used gear is normal and saves hundreds of dollars; the estimator shows the difference. Helmets are the one item to buy new or check carefully, because certification stickers expire.

What the first season looks like

Hockey Manitoba does not publish a standard weekly schedule, because each association sets its own. These are the questions worth asking when you register, so there are no surprises:

How many ice times a week, and at which rinks?
When are evaluations, and what happens if we miss them?
Which weekends have games away from home?
What are the team fees on top of registration (tournaments, year-end, photos)?
Is a parent expected to volunteer, and for what?
What is the refund rule if we stop partway?

For the official dates around the season (registration deadline, the parent course, money deadlines, provincials), see the Manitoba hockey year.

Words you will hear at the rink

Association (MHA): The local club you register with. Hockey Manitoba assigns you to the nearest one by driving distance.
House league / A1, A2, A3: Winnipeg's community tiers. Everyone who registers plays; evaluations sort players into A1 (strongest) to A3.
AA and AAA: The competitive streams. Tryouts, more ice, more travel, more cost. Not needed to enjoy hockey.
Evaluations: Early-season skates where coaches sort players into tiers. They are not cuts in house league.
Tiering: How Winnipeg and the regions group teams of similar strength so games stay close.
Jamboree: A U7 or U9 festival with several short games and no standings.
Sanctioned: Run under Hockey Manitoba's rules and insurance. Spring and private leagues usually are not.
HCR: The Hockey Canada Registry, the online system every Manitoba association uses for registration.

PuckReady lists programs and explains the system; it does not run any of it. Registration, fees and rules belong to your association and Hockey Manitoba. Something unclear or out of date? Tell us.