Hockey Québec announces changes to girls' hockey divisions

Montreal, Wednesday, April 9, 2025 – Hockey Québec announces a significant change to the age division classification for women's hockey, effective for the 2025–2026 season. In order to promote the creation of larger player pools and improve local services, a new M12 division will be introduced, replacing the M11 and M13 divisions.

This change affects the AA, A, and B classes and aims to provide a playing environment that is more suited to the realities of women's hockey in Quebec. The AAA structure will remain unchanged for the 2025-2026 season, but announcements regarding changes planned for 2026-2027 will be made shortly.

So, starting next season, the age divisions for women's hockey (AA, A, and B) will be as follows:

• M7 (2019 and ealier)
• M9 (2017 and ealier)
• M12 (2016, 2015 and 2014)
• M15 (2013, 2012 and 2011)
• M18 (2010, 2009 and 2008)
• M21 (2007, 2006 and 2005)

 

By reducing the number of divisions, we will be able to optimize team composition and reduce barriers related to travel and player shortages, particularly in more remote areas.

“We are confident that these changes will have a positive impact on the development of women's hockey in Quebec. By grouping players into larger divisions, we will be able to increase the services we offer so that young girls can play together in more stable and competitive teams, as well as have an extra year to build relationships and develop with the same core group of players,” explains Stéphanie Poirier, Director of Women's Hockey and Development at Hockey Québec.

This reorganization will also facilitate the establishment of a more coherent collaborative structure with the Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec (RSEQ), by establishing a clear separation between the primary (M7, M9, and M12) and secondary (M15 and M18) levels.

This change marks an important step in the evolution of women's hockey in Quebec, and we thank everyone involved in its progress.