The registration structure has changed for the 2025-26 season and onwards in an effort by the SMHA Executive to provide a more transparent way to charge membership fees. With this in mind, we will continue to have team budgets however, the allocation of expenses between registration and budgets has changed.
Base registration fees will now include all SMHA costs that are charged to all teams of an age level, despite the level of hockey they play, with one exception which will be the cost of the development instructors.
Those players who tryout and make a competitive team will be charged a competitive fee to account for the additional ice, refs, timekeepers and other fees that come with the cost of competitive hockey. These fees will be added to the team budget as a separate line item called "competitive fee".
While these fees being charged to the players budget is not a significant deviation from a fee charged in the past, we hope that this provides further transparency as to who we are charging what to and for what. We acknowledge that it does increase the cost of registration therefore, for U9-U18, we are accepting 75% of registration at the time of registration and the remaining 25% by October 1 to account for the increase this year. U5, U7 and U23 payment is still due in full at time of registration.
Other than the competitive fee, teams will only have a charge from SMHA for development instructors with no additional fees charged as they have been included in the cost of base registration.
We are including a table that summarizes the fees to be charged. The base fee applies to all; tryout fees apply only to those trying out and the additional competitive fees apply to those who make the corresponding team.
It is important to note that these fees are not inclusive of the entire cost of hockey for those who have team budgets. U5, U7 and U23 will continue to not have team budgets, all other teams will, and the range of cost can vary significantly. Team budgets account for tournaments, extra ice, socks, year end presents/party etc... and are established by the team staff based on guidelines set by the Association.
The Association has a dollar cap on team budgets that is reviewed annually to which the total amount charged (based on age group and level) must be under the threshold. If the coaching staff wishes to establish an amount higher than that, an anonymous vote will be sent out for parent approval to which 75% of parents must be in agreement.
The fees, per child (in addition to the competitive fee) often range from $500 up to $1500 and higher, depending on level of hockey and will only be determined once teams are set. Parents must be aware of these costs before registering and committing to play this team-based sport.
This table shows the costs associated with SMHA as discussed above. Below this table, are the total budgeted costs for registrations that were set in order to determine these fees as a whole. Fees by age group vary due to varying amounts of ice used, officials, etc.
Note: U13AAA will pay both tryout fees and then if they make the AAA team, a credit of 150.00 will be added to the players HCR account. Those who do not make the team will not receive a refund and pay both tryout fees.
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For up to date information on registration, please visit our Registration page on our Flyers website. Pre-Season information will be updated on the same link as soon as available.
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