What is Local League?
Local League hockey is a group of hockey teams from various centres which compete regularly in a recreational league. Woolwich Wild has several local league teams ranging from U9 to U22 (girls age 6 to 21). For girls age 4 to 6 we offer a U7 (Rookie) Program (typically 1 ice time per week plus 6 games as part of the Local League after Christmas).
The Woolwich Girls Minor Hockey Association competes in a league referred to as the Kitchener Girls Local League (KGLL). This league was formed so girls from our surrounding local area would have other teams to play against. The KGLL currently includes teams from: Ayr, Brantford, Cambridge, Grand River (Centre Wellington - Elora/Fergus/Salem), Guelph, Kitchener, Milverton, Stratford, Twin Centre (St. Clements/Wellesley), Waterloo, Wilmot (New Hamburg area), Woodstock and Woolwich. In order to play in the KGLL, a player is not permitted to play on a Rep team with any association.
How much ice time can I expect?
U9 Local League teams play a minimum of 16 games; U11, U13 and U15 Local League teams play a minimum of 20 games; and U18 and U22 play 24. Typically, this means one home or away game per week.
U9, U11, U13 and U15 Local League teams also have approximately one practice time per week (50 minutes in length). U18 and U22 Local League teams have some practices at the start of the season and then an occasional extra practice thereafter.
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DIVISION
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AGE1
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PRACTICES2
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REGULAR SEASON GAMES
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ANTICIPATED
DAYS OF PLAY2
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U7
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4, 5, 63
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Once per week
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Some exhibition games after Christmas
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Once per week, Saturday morning
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U9
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63, 7, 8
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Once per week
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16
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x2 per week
1 weeknight and 1 weekend
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U11
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9, 10
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Once per week
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20
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Practice on Thursdays
1 game per week on average
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U13
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11, 12
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Once per week
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20
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Practice on Wednesdays
1 game per week on average
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U15
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13, 14
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Once per week
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20
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Practice on Wednesdays
1 game per week on average
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U18
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15, 16, 17
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3 per season
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24
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1 or 2 per week.
Home games are typically on Tuesdays or Thursdays
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U22
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18 - 21
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3 per season
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24
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1 or 2 per week.
Home games are typically on Sundays
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1Age as of December 31st.
2Girls who will be 6 by December 31st can play in the U7 or U9 Local League.
3These are the planned days and typical amounts of ice time, the actual schedule may vary. Holidays and special events at the arena(s) may cause ice times to be cancelled.
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When will the full schedule be released?
Schedules for September will be posted in early August.
The full season practice schedule, for October through March, will be released by late-September.
The game schedule is released in two phases: beginning of October for October to January, and mid-January for late-January to March. The only exception is U9 where the game schedule is released: late October for November to January, and late January for February to March.
Will Local League play on Thanksgiving?
YES. The ice season is too short, and there are simply not enough weekends between October and March to complete our full regular season schedule if we don't play on the Thanksgiving weekend. Games and practices will be scheduled as normal on the Saturday. There will be no home ice on the Sunday or Monday, but it is possible to have an away game.
Will Local League play during the Christmas holiday season?
• Games and practices may be scheduled up to and including December 22nd.
• Regular league games and practices will NOT be scheduled between December 23rd and January 1st.
• Local League teams participate in the Jason Cripps Tournament in Kitchener December 27th – 30th.
• Games and practices may resume starting January 2nd.
Will Local League play during the Family Day weekend?
YES. The ice season is too short, and there are simply not enough weekends between October and March to complete our full regular season schedule if we don't play on the Family Day weekend. Games and practices will be scheduled as normal on the Saturday and Sunday. There will be no games or practices on the Monday.
Will Local League play during March Break?
• Games and practices may be scheduled up to and including the first Saturday of March Break.
• Games and practices will NOT be scheduled between the first Sunday and second Saturday of March Break.
• Games and practices may resume starting the second Sunday of March Break.
What amount of ice time will I get in a game?
All players will receive fair playing time in all games regardless of their skill level.
What is the U9 Local League program for 2023/24?
(This is our anticipated programming. It will be updated once we know the details for the 2024/25 season.)
The Kitchener Girls Local League (KGLL) will be offering the following for U9 girls this season:
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KGLL U9 Program
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Ages
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· 6, 7 & 8 year olds
· Depending on the number of players, evaluations will take place in September to determine how to divide the players into two or more teams.
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Half ice
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Full ice
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· Half ice until end of January 14th (8 games)
· Games are played against teams from centres within the KGLL.
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· Full ice from January 15th to March (end of season) - 8 games
· Games are played against teams from centres within the KGLL.
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Games
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· 4-on-4 with goaltenders
· No score kept
· Two – 20 minute periods.
· 2 minute buzzers
· Teams will split, and half will play on one end of the ice, while the other half plays on the other end of the ice. Typically, one team will switch ends for the second period
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· 5-on-5 with goaltenders
· Keep score
· No 2-minute buzzer
· 10-10-12 period lengths
· Games are played against teams from centres within the KGLL.
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Scheduling
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· No league games until November.
· 8 games played from November to January 14th
· Coaches then meet with the league to assign teams to ‘pools’ based on skill level of each team.
· 8 games played from January 15th to March (end of the season) within the assigned ‘pools’.
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Championship
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· All teams will play an extra end of season ‘Celebration’ game.
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What is the process for the regular season and play-offs for U11 to U22 teams?
The regular season for U11, U13 and U15 teams is 12 games (14 for U18 and U22), starting at the beginning of October and running until just mid-January.
At this point, the teams are split into two or three ‘Pools’ (ie A, B...), based on the number of teams in the division and their standings at the end of the regular season, for the play-off round. This process allows the play to be more competitive and fair for the 2nd half of the season. The play-off round runs until March Break with each team playing 8 games (10 for U18 and U22).
The top four teams in each pool qualify to play one semi-final game. The winner of each semi-final game will advance to the Championship game for their pool. The KGLL has one day near the end of March or in early April on which all Championship games are played for each division (U11 to U22) in each pool.
U7, U8 and U9 teams will have one 'Celebration Game' to finish off the season.
What about tournaments?
The Woolwich Local League teams all participate in the Jason Cripps Memorial Tournament that is held annually in Kitchener between Christmas and New Years (December 27th to 30th). The cost of this tournament is included in the WGMHA registration fee.
In addition to this, most teams enter one or two other tournaments during the year. The timing and location of the tournament(s) is decided in consultation with the whole team. If the team wants to enter more than two tournaments, a silent vote must be held with the parents or guardians. Tournament fees are paid by the parents.
With the exception of Jason Cripps, tournaments typically start on a Friday and continue through the weekend. They are a lot of fun for girls and parents!
What does my daughter need to play?
Full hockey gear, along with a mouthguard, is required. See equipment checklist for details: Woolwich Wild Equipment Checklist
As red helmets (with the exception of goalie masks) and red pants are mandatory for our representative teams, we suggest you purchase these items in red if you are buying new equipment.
Do I need to purchase goaltending equipment if my daughter wants to try goaltending?
The WGMHA has goalie equipment that is loaned to girls that wish to play in net. Girls may also purchase their own equipment.
At the U9 level, goaltending is typically shared between all the girls with everyone getting the opportunity to try goaltending. At higher levels there is usually a specific goaltender(s), but the role may need to be rotated through the team if the team does not have a goaltender.
How do I register?
Our Registration page on this website contains the registration information for this season. You can also contact our registrar at [email protected].