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Can someone explain to me how Juniors work? I'm always confused with how this all works. Is there a finite number of years you can play? If you finish high school do you have less eligibility?

In most junior leagues its 20 and under. Canadian major juniors allow 4 overagers per team I believe. This year I think that means they had to have been born in 91. This year if you check junior rosters there are very few 91's and mostly 92, 93, 94 and a few 95's. Most kids leaving high school can play 2 and occasionally 3 years of junior hockey.

keepyourheadup wrote:In most junior leagues its 20 and under. Canadian major juniors allow 4 overagers per team I believe. This year I think that means they had to have been born in 91. This year if you check junior rosters there are very few 91's and mostly 92, 93, 94 and a few 95's. Most kids leaving high school can play 2 and occasionally 3 years of junior hockey.

Yep you got it. The CHL has another rule with 95's (for this season). I think they can have 4 91's and 4 95's but only 3 can play in each game. though that changes at a certain point in the season for the youngsters...

Ages for the 2011-12 season. (Keep in mind, Minnesota uses a different cutoff.)

Mites - 2003/04
Squirt - 2001/02
Pee Wee - 1999/2000
Bantam - 1997/98
U16 (Midget) - 1995/96
U18 (Midget) - 1993/94
Junior - 1991 & down

Various leagues have rules about how many older players and how many "imports" a team can have.

I'm sure you've figured out that when kids finish HS, they have could have an extra year of Junior hockey eligibility depending on where they fell on the calendar.

The reason college players can be so old is that it is possible to be 20 for your last year of Junior hockey, turn 21 during the season (if you are born in January-March), and then enroll in college as a 21 year old freshman. That means you turn 25 during your senior season.