FAQ'S

FAQ'S

🏒 South Central Alberta Inline Hockey League

Frequently Asked Questions

Welcome to the fast lane. Below you’ll find everything you need to know about Roller / Inline Hockey and the South Central Alberta Inline Hockey League (SCAIHL). Whether you're brand new to the sport or a seasoned puck wizard, we’ve got you covered.

WHAT IS INLINE (ROLLER) HOCKEY?

Inline hockey is a high-speed, high-skill 4-on-4 game played on a smooth sport court using inline skates. Think ice hockey… but with sunshine vibes and no frozen toes.

Key differences from ice hockey:

  • No body checking

  • No offsides

  • No icing

  • More puck possession

  • More space

  • More flow

It’s fast. It’s creative. It rewards stickhandling, smart passing, and quick decision-making.

All the thrill. None of the chill.

WHEN IS THE SCAIHL SEASON?

Our primary youth season runs April through late June.

In Okotoks:

  • Start: Early April - April 7th, 2026. (once ice is removed and floor is ready)

  • End: Late June- June 23rd, 2026.

  • Location: Piper Arena – Okotoks Recreation Centre

  • Floor times will be Tuesday evenings (5:00pm to 9:00pm) Younger players starting earlier and working up to the oldest players.

We work around facility readiness to ensure the surface is safe, sealed and wheels grip properly.


In Calgary:

  • Start: Early April (once ice is removed and floor is ready)

  • End: Late June

  • Location: Floor times for the Competitive League in Calgary will be held Monday through Thursday at one of the following City of Calgary arenas:                                             

    • Brentwood Sportsplex
      1520B Northmount Drive NW
      Calgary, Alberta
      T2L 0G6
      403.284.3477

    • Stew Hendry / Henry Viney Arena
      814 13 Avenue NE
      Calgary, Alberta
      T2E 8A1
      403.268.2489

    • Triwood Community Indoor Arena
      2244 Chicoutimi Drive NW
      Calgary, Alberta
      T2L 0W1
      403.282.2677

    • Optimist / George Blundun Arenas
      5020 26 Avenue SW
      Calgary, Alberta
      T3E 0R4
      403.268.2489

  • Floor times typically: Monday to Thursday evenings (6:00pm to 10:00pm) Younger players starting earlier and working up to the oldest players.

We work around facility readiness to ensure the surface is safe and wheels grip properly.

Adult and competitive divisions may run slightly different schedules depending on registration numbers and facility availability.

Here is a rough draft of this season's schedules assuming moderate growth. If we have some extreme growth, we would have to re evaluate this schedule.

U11 starts on Monday April 13th with the finals being played on Monday June 22nd. They will play every Monday and Wednesday except on Monday May 18th the long weekend. Their games are split between Brentwood and George Blundun arenas.

U13 starts on Tuesday April 14th with the finals being played on Monday June 29th. They will play every Tuesday and Thursday, Except for the first couple of weeks of the season as we don't start playing at Stew Hendry until April 28th. Their games are split between George Blundun and Stew Hendry arenas.

U15 starts on Monday April 13th with the finals being played on Monday June 29nd. They will play every Monday and Wednesday except on Monday May 18th the long weekend. Their games are split between Brentwood, George Blundun and Stew Hendry arenas.

U18 starts on Tuesday April 14th with the finals being played on Monday June 29th. They will play on every Tuesday and Thursday, Except for the first couple of weeks of the season as we don't start playing at Stew Hendry until April 28th. Their games are split between George Blundun and Stew Hendry arenas.

Jr/Ad Division starts on Monday April 13th with their final games if needed being played on Monday June 29th. Most of their games will be played on Monday and Wednesday nights.

WHAT DOES A TYPICAL WEEK LOOK LIKE?

U7–U18 Foothills roller hockey Academy in okotoks

  • One weeknight per week

  • 20–30 minutes skill development

  • 30-minute game play

We intentionally keep this to one night per week to help families balance multiple activities.

calgary roller hockey (U11–Adult)

  • Two nights per week

  • Games-only format

  • Higher tempo, structured competition, playoffs.

WHO CAN PLAY?

We welcome players ages 6 to Adult (50+ and counting!)

Divisions include:

  • U7 - Developmental

  • U9 - Developmental

  • U11 - Developmental & Competitive

  • U13 - Developmental & Competitive

  • U15 - Developmental & Competitive

  • U18 - Developmental & Competitive

  • Junior - Competitive

  • Adult - Competitive

From first-timers to elite players, there’s a place for everyone.

Fun fact: NHL stars like Connor McDavid and Connor Bedard grew up playing inline hockey in the off-season. The skills translate very well.

MY CHILD IS A BEGINNER. IS THERE A PLACE FOR THEM?

Absolutely.

Our Developmental divisions (U7–U18) are designed for:

  • New players

  • Multi-sport athletes

  • Kids transitioning from ice

  • Players wanting skill development without pressure

We focus on skating technique, puck control, confidence, and fun.

MY CHILD WANTS MORE COMPETITION. WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS?

Competitive divisions (U11–Adult) offer:

  • Faster pace

  • Structured games

  • Tiered competition

  • Two nights per week

Great for players looking to elevate their game.

WHAT EQUIPMENT IS REQUIRED?

You likely already own most of what you need if you play ice hockey.

Required:

  • CSA-approved helmet with full cage (mandatory under 19)

  • Hockey gloves

  • Shin pads

  • Elbow pads

  • Jock/Jill

  • Inline skates (indoor wheels, no brake)

  • Hockey stick

Strongly Recommended:

  • Padded shirt or shoulder pads

  • Girdle

  • Mouthguard

Goaltenders:

  • Full goalie equipment

  • Dangling Lexan neck guard

  • Full cage (mandatory under 19)

Players under 19 years of age as of January 1 must wear a full cage for insurance regulations. Players 19+ may wear a half visor or full cage.


Equipment & League Store

South Central Alberta Inline Hockey League is proud to partner with Bauer and Professional Skate to ensure our players have access to high-quality equipment and expert support.

Through these partnerships, participants can access the gear they need with confidence, whether upgrading skates, replacing protective equipment, or selecting the proper wheel setup for indoor play.

In addition, SCAIHL operates a dedicated League Store offering:

  • Official team pants

  • Inline wheels suited for our playing surface

  • Padded girdles

  • Padded shirts

Our goal is to make sourcing reliable, sport-specific equipment simple and convenient for all players and families.

CAN I BUY USED EQUIPMENT?

Yes, but inspect carefully.

Check for:

  • Cracks in helmets

  • Loose padding

  • Worn-out foam

  • Structural damage

Important:

  • Do not re-glue helmet padding yourself

  • Never use household glue on helmets

  • Ask about repair history when buying used

Safety always wins.

HOW SHOULD EQUIPMENT FIT?

Proper fit is essential.

  • Helmet: Snug, no sliding

  • Shin pads: Fully cover knee and shin

  • Pants/Girdle: Protect hips, kidneys, tailbone

  • Elbow pads: No exposed joint

  • Gloves: Cover wrist gap

  • Cup/Jill: Proper size and positioned correctly

When in doubt, ask. A good fit means better protection and better mobility.

HOW MANY PLAYERS ARE ON A TEAM?

Typically:

  • 10 to 12 skaters

  • 1 goalie

  • Maximum roster: 13 players

This keeps games fast and floor time high.

ARE TEAMS CO-ED?

Yes.

Boys and girls play together unless:

  • Enough girls register to form their own team

  • A full girls team enters as a group

  • All female players are welcome to play down one age year if they choose

We focus on balance and fair team formation each season.

CAN FRIENDS OR SIBLINGS PLAY TOGETHER?

Yes, with mutual request.

  • Both players must request each other.

  • Younger players may move up an age group.

  • Players may not play down a division.

  • For provincial competitions, all players must enter their proper age divisions. No Exceptions.

We do our best to accommodate requests while maintaining fairness.

CAN INDIVIDUALS REGISTER?

Absolutely.

You can register as:

  • An individual

  • A group of friends

  • A full team

We build teams from individual registrations and ensure players are placed appropriately.

ARE THERE TRAVEL OPPORTUNITIES?

Yes.

SCAIHL supports opportunities for:

  • Competitive travel teams

  • Tournament participation

  • Elite-level events

Details are shared throughout the season and check out our travel programs on our website.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

Registration fees vary by division and program.

Please visit our Fees Page for full details.

Adult League example structure:

  • Full-Time Player

  • Goaltender rates

Payment options and registration deadlines are posted online each season.

HOW MANY GAMES DO TEAMS PLAY?

Game counts vary by division.

Typical competitive formats include:

  • Exhibition games

  • Regular season games

  • Guaranteed playoff games

Minimum games may be required for playoff eligibility in adult divisions.

CAN I GET A REFUND?

No. Registration fees are non-refundable once the season begins.

IS THERE SKATE-ONLY TRAINING?

We do not run separate skating-only programs.

However:

  • Early-season sessions include skating instruction at the initial camps.

  • Skill development is built into Foothills Roller Hockey Academy League programming

IS THERE A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WHEELS?

Yes. Wheels matter more than people think.

Wheel selection depends on:

  • Player weight

  • Playing surface

  • Skill level

  • Desired grip

If you're unsure, speak with our staff at the rink. We will have wheels to choose from at our league store as well as our Equipment Partner Professional Skate. The right wheel setup makes a huge difference in control and safety.

WHAT SURFACE IS INLINE HOCKEY PLAYED ON?

Inline hockey is typically played on:

  • Sport court (plastic tile)

  • Polished concrete

Surface type affects wheel choice and game speed.

WHEN DOES REGISTRATION OPEN?

Registration typically opens in late December for the upcoming spring season and remains open until divisions fill or season starts.

All registration is completed online through our website.

HOW OLD DO YOU HAVE TO BE FOR ADULT LEAGUE?

  • 18+ may register without parental consent

  • Under 18 requires parental consent form

FINAL WORD

Inline hockey is skill-driven, community-powered, and built for players who love the game.

Whether you're lacing up for the first time or chasing that extra edge in the off-season, South Central Alberta Inline Hockey League offers a place to compete, develop, and belong.

See you on the floor. 🏒