Minor hockey

Minor hockey is ice hockey for minors. There are minor hockey leagues all across Canada and Northern United States.

Players are classified by age, and the rules (especially for checking) vary from class to class.

In Canada, the divisions are designated by the Provincial hockey governing body based on Hockey Canada's:

Initiation (ages 5-6) often called Tykes or Squirts
Novice (ages 7-8)
Atom (ages 9-10)
Peewee (ages 11-12)
Bantam (ages 13-14)
Midget (ages 15-17)
Juvenile (ages 18-20)

In the United States, USA Hockey designates the following levels:

Mite (ages 8 and under)
Squirt (ages 9-10)
Peewee (ages 11-12)
Bantam (ages 13-14)
Midget 16 and Under (ages 15-16)
Midget 18 and Under (ages 17-18)

Some leagues also have a younger level referred to as 'Mosquitoes'.

The rankings of the various youth hockey league teams in the US and Canada can be found at the following website: http://www.nationalhockeyrankings.com/