The board of directors for the HEO ‘AAA’ Hockey League approved a new league playoff format for a one-year trial, beginning in the 2021-22 season.

The new format, replacing the standard playoff series format, will include a postseason championship round robin, followed by a championship series and a consolation round robin. The change will promote development by allowing all teams, regardless of position in the standings, to compete in meaningful games later into the season.

The format is as follows:

U13 and U14 Divisions

Preliminary Round (4 Games Each)

• 1st Place vs 3rd Place
• 1st Place vs 4th Place
• 1st Place vs 5th Place
• 2nd Place vs 3rd Place
• 2nd Place vs 4th Place
• 2nd Place vs 5th Place
• 3rd Place vs 4th Place
• 3rd Place vs 4th Place
• 1st Place vs 5th Place
• 2nd Place vs 5th Place
• Championship Round

Top two teams from the preliminary round will participate in the championship round in a seven-game series.

Remaining three teams will play a round robin against each team twice (four games for each team) for third Place.

U15 Division

Preliminary Round (4 Games Each)

• 1st Place vs 3rd Place
• 1st Place vs 4th Place
• 1st Place vs 5th Place
• 2nd Place vs 3rd Place
• 2nd Place vs 4th Place
• 2nd Place vs 5th Place
• 3rd Place vs 4th Place
• 3rd Place vs 4th Place
• 1st Place vs 5th Place
• 2nd Place vs 5th Place

6th Place will play four games against 7th Place.

Championship Round

Top four teams from the preliminary round will participate in the championship round, and a third place round in a seven-game series.

Other remaining three teams will play a round robin against each team twice (four games for each team) for fifth place.