Info & Register

Register to enter KIHL JUNIOR Season 4.

Registrations close at midnight on Sunday 15th November 2026.

Season 4 is a protection season

*  Each Franchise will protect 1 Division 1 player and 1 Division 2 player ahead of draft night.  Protections are based on the Division played in the prior season and do not necessarily determine the Division the protected player will play in, in the current season.

*  Draft Order is based on the prior year Franchise placing.

CRITERIA FOR ENTRY AND KIHL FRAMEWORK:
To be eligible to play in KIHL Junior season 4 commencing on the 27th February 2027 and ending on the 13th June 2027 you must be born in the years 2009 - 2014.

Note if you are born in 2009 you are eligible to register to play both juniors and senior.  YES you can double play and YES you will be eligible for selection in senior and junior representative teams if you are drafted!  Representative KIHL Junior players will be given preferential entry over other junior players to the KIHL Senior draft.  Minor League players get preferential entry into KIHL Junior.  Any 13year olds unsuccessful in making the Junior "league list" can be considered by KIHL for invitational entry into the Minor League.  Players already in Minor League aged 12-13 also have the option to remain in the Minor League for an additional year should they choose to.  Minor League plays all 5 rounds alongside KIHL Junior in 2027.  Minor League is an invitational only league with invitations sent out directly to players.  If you have any queries regarding Minor League vs KIHL Junior for your player, please don't hesitate to reach out directly to secretary.kihljnr@gmail.com.

KIHL Junior is a draft league which will be open to between 8 and 10 teams across 2 divisions.
The process is as follows: 

1/ First register your interest to be part of the league by the 15th November 2026.
2/ The registrations will be reviewed by KIHL who will compile a "league list" comprising 80 to 100 of the top players.
3/ Players will be notified via email if they have successfully made the "league list" no later than Friday 20th November 2026.  Unsuccessful candidates will go on a waitlist should any players decline their position, and any unsuccessful candidates will have their registration fee refunded in full.

4/  Players that have been successful in making the "league list" will be notified via email no later than Friday 20th November 2026.  At the time of confirmation of acceptance into the league the registration fee paid becomes non-refundable.  If an instalment arrangement option is chosen any non-payments by due dates may result in the position on the league list being offered to another player on the waitlist or prevent you from taking the rink until full payment is received.  Any queries or concerns regarding payment please email secretary.kihljnr@gmail.com.

5/ The KIHL group will handover player information and profiles to the Franchise GM's who will begin their own vetting process with a view to choosing their teams. Each Franchise GM takes it in turn to choose a player from the "league list". This process will be viewed via a live event streamed on the 12th December 2026.

6/ A letter will be sent out to all players announcing the teams and providing kit order information.  Team selections and lists will also be notified via the KIHL Facebook page.

Although the initial draft picks will likely see many of the older players making it into Juniors, with senior players most likely to end up in div1 and younger players in div2, there is no restriction.  Further coaches and franchise GM's have the ability to move players within their div1 and div2 franchise teams throughout pool play.  Players can also be moved from Minors to Juniors should it be required to make minimum number thresholds.

By registering, you are registering your interest to play in the league, this does not guarantee you will be selected for KIHL Junior. Approximately 80 to 100 players plus goalies are selected from registrations.  On making the 'league list' prior to draft night you are guaranteed selection in the draft.

A maximum of 8 players plus goalie will be drafted for division 1 teams and a maximum of 12 players plus goalie in division 2. It will be run on the same franchise system as KIHL Senior.

Pool play on the dates shown below involves all teams within a division playing each other at least once over a weekend. Minimum 3-4 games per weekend. If KIHL management decide on 5 franchises (10 teams) then it is important to realize that only the top 4 franchise (8 teams) teams will make it through to finals weekend.

All junior games will be run on the same stop clock system as KIHL Senior, if any of the games end in a draw at the end of regular time, then the game continues 3 on 3 for 5 minutes, golden goal, and if no winner is found at the end of overtime, the game will end in a penalty shootout. 1 hour is allocated for each game.

For more on KIHL see here KIHL Home .

GAME DATES: 
Round 1 - 27/28 February 2027 - Auckland
Round 2 - 20/21 March 2027 - New Plymouth
Round 3 - 24/25 April 2027  - Hamilton
Round 4 - 15/16 May 2027 - Levin
Round 5 - FINALS - 12/13 June - Hamilton

In season 4 we are offering between 16-22 games of hockey over 5 weekends.

COST:

$400 inc GST (There is an option to pay in full or via an instalment arrangement.)  Please note via the payment portal prices will appear excl GST and GST will be added at check out.  You can opt to pay in full, pay via the instalment plan.

PLAYING KIT:

$75 for a Franchise Jersey incl GST

Jerseys.  

1/ If you are playing seniors and/or you are a protected player or playing in the same franchise you can wear your seniors Jersey

2/ If you have your jersey from a prior season and you know you are playing in the same franchise you can wear your jersey from a prior season whether it's a div1 or div2 jersey.  Subject to there being no team number clashes.  

3/ If you want you can order a Jersey without a name (just with your number) to be able to sell it second hand via the closed franchise Facebook pages.

Order Forms and payment/order deadlines will be emailed out to players following draft night.