In order to have sufficient number of players to form rep teams and allow players to play at the most appropriate level for their skill base, FMH has an agreement with Elk Valley Minor Hockey to combine to offer “Elk Valley Raiders” rep teams. This is solely for divisions U13 and U15. The number of teams formed at each age division is dependent on number of players registered.
U13
U15
U18
At U13, our goal is to be able to provide a non-carded U13 team in each association to play in the B division of the East Kootenay League, and a combined carded team (“Raiders”) to play in the A division of the EK League.
At U15, the priority is to form a combined “Raiders” team that would be a carded (body checking) team to play in the EK League. If there are sufficient players to form an additional team with non-body checking play this will be considered. However, the availability of a non-body checking league is variable from year to year.
At U18, history predicts that low registration numbers make it challenging for us to form teams of any kind. We encourage early registration of all U18 players to help us in our planning. Every effort is made to accommodate all U15 and U18 players, but this may require formation of a combined U15/18 Rec team. If FMH and EVMH do not have sufficient player numbers to form a U18 team, players may make arrangements to register in Cranbrook or other EK associations as available.
All combined teams rotate practices weekly between Fernie, Sparwood and Elkford. Typically the U13 team will be hosted by EVMH and U15 team by FMH.
Decisions on feasibility of team formation at U13 and older will be made based on Spring registration numbers. Anyone registering after June 30, 2023 will be placed on a waiting list until decisions are made. Every effort will be made to accommodate all players.
The combined teams are formed through a tryout process at the start of the season. Players must register for that tryout separately (info will be provided by early August to all players registered in U13 and older divisions to allow them the opportunity to register for tryouts if desired).
**Anyone wanting to play rep hockey in an association outside of their own must first register with their home association.
