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- Oakland Bears News - Issue 17
Wow, those Labor day tournaments sure were a fun way to kick off the preseason. Let’s not kid ourselves, preseason hockey isn’t the prettiest but it’s still great to get back in the rhythm of the hockey season. Aside from watching my kid play, the thing I like the most is getting to see all my hockey parent friends again.
Keep reading for a rink renovation update as well as a Norcal Hockey Primer for all of the new folks. If you’ve been around awhile you already know this stuff, but it’s important info for all our new families.
I’ll see you at the rink!
Oakland Ice Renovation
I have some exciting news to share. Oakland city officials have approved a bond that allocates $10 million for an OIC remodel. A projected time frame for construction has not yet been established, but we will share further details as we can. The wheels are in motion and are expected to stay in motion until OIC has a new ice plant, hockey boards and many needed updates.
In the meantime, Adult League registration for Fall/Winter2025 season is open! Teams will play 20 regular season games followed by playoff rounds for the top four teams in each division, and a single consolation game for non-playoff teams. The first games will be played on Tuesday, October 1st, and playoffs will conclude at the end of March.
Northern California Youth Hockey Primer
Hey folks! I wanted to provide a basic primer on the different levels of youth hockey in California. If your family has been involved in youth hockey for a while, you probably already know this stuff, but it's not always clear to new families. As a hockey dad myself, I've found the whole system to be a bit confusing, especially for new families navigating the scene after their kids finish the initial learn-to-skate program. So, I thought it would be helpful to break down the different levels of competitive play.
In-House Hockey: This is where new players start, whether they're 8U mites or older beginners. Players and families looking for fun and exercise without the commitment and costs of higher levels often stick with in-house hockey. In-house programs are organized through your local rink.
Travel Hockey: In California, travel hockey has three main skill levels: A, BB, and B, with A being the highest and B the lowest. Players need to try out for travel teams and above, and cuts do happen—spots aren't guaranteed. But don't worry, there are often openings at other clubs for players who don't make their first-choice team. Northern California teams compete in the Norcal division.
A Teams: These teams are mostly made up of players who have shown above-average skills in areas like skating, stick handling, scoring, athleticism, or competitiveness. These are the kids you often see practicing in the driveway without being asked.
B Teams: These teams are usually for players who are still developing their skills or have recently moved up from in-house hockey.
BB Teams: These teams have a mix of higher- and lower-skilled players and are formed when there aren't enough players at a similar skill level to make a full A or B team. Many Western states, including California, have fewer players per capita compared to other areas, so we see a lot of BB teams. This is just one factor that affects the level of play in our region. When there aren't enough kids, clubs have to work with what they've got, and that sometimes means bigger skill gaps on teams.
Tier Hockey: Starting at the 12U level, a higher level of competitive play called "Tier Hockey" becomes available. Tier teams are labeled as Tier 2 (AA) or Tier 1 (AAA) with AAA being the most competitive. Tier teams are governed by CAHA.
Tier 2 (AA): In theory, an AA team should be better than an A team. However, due to the lower player numbers in our area, this isn't always the case. A Tier 2 team should offer 3 or more days of on-ice training per week, plus off-ice strength and conditioning. Coaches should have experience playing or coaching at a professional or collegiate level. If you're thinking about making the jump to Tier 2, do your homework. It's more expensive than travel hockey, so ask questions about tournaments, ice time, off-ice training, estimated games per season, and coach qualifications.
Tier 1 (AAA): Beginning with the 2025-26 season, Tier 1 teams must be affiliated with an NHL team, which for Northern California is the San Jose Jr. Sharks. Tri-Valley also has Tier 1 status for now. Getting a spot on these teams is super competitive, and only the top players make the cut. The time, travel, and financial commitments are significant, with lots of out-of-state travel. Many players choose homeschooling or online school to make it work.
Girls Hockey: Girls-only teams compete at the AA or AAA level. No body checking is allowed in girls hockey. Those who don’t mind the extra physicality can also play on co-ed travel teams. Girls compete in the PGHL.
High School Hockey: This is a popular and affordable option for players during their high school years. Several prep schools have teams, but public school students are welcome too. Teams compete regionally at various levels, from Varsity down to Junior Varsity A, B, and C. Travel players may dual-roster on high school teams as well, usually on Varsity or JV-A. Newer players can join at the JV-C level, which is still competitive but without body checking. Norcal teams compete in the SHSHL.
I hope this overview helps you understand the different levels of youth hockey in California. If you have any questions, feel free to ask!
Norcal Youth Hockey Primer
The mission of the Oakland Bears Hockey Foundation (OBHF) is to support and grow the sport of hockey throughout the Oakland area. We believe:
Hockey is for everyone
Economic factors should not prohibit youth involvement in hockey
Sports foster important life skills in youth of any age
Your Donation at Work
When you donate to OBHF, your generosity helps pay for scholarship players’: