Frequently Asked Questions

The London Junior Mustangs are a Competitive hockey program playing at the Seeded (AA/A) level within the Alliance. We are proud to be affiliated with the Varsity Hockey programs from one of Canada’s top Universities; Western University and proudly wear Western’s traditional purple and white colours. 

Our goal is to lead, promote and develop positive hockey experiences for all stakeholders, with a philosophy embodying a competitive culture with a balanced approach to running our teams. 

We have moved to one committee to govern both Purple and White, working with the coaches, the parents and the players to deliver a positive and rewarding hockey experience while developing and educating our participants. 

1.  What are the different levels of competitive hockey available to my child?

In London, there are three levels of competitive hockey available to your child:

AAA

• AAA is the highest level of competitive hockey in London.
• The AAA program is offered in London only by the London Junior Knights for Minor Atom to Midget players.
• There can be one or two teams made up of players from across the city.

AA/A

• Seeded Hockey is the second highest level of competitive hockey available in London.
• Seeded Hockey is offered by the London Junior Knights as well as the London Junior Mustangs for Minor Atom to Midget players.
• The London Junior Knights have 1 or 2 teams made up of players from across the city.
• The London Junior Mustangs teams have players from within their geographic designations (Purple - North/Oakridge and White - West/Bandits). 
• London Junior Mustangs have two seeded teams per division for Minor Atom to Midget.
• All Seeded teams play each other until December and then are declared either “A” or “AA”. (See question 2 below.)

BB/B Hockey (Formerly MD)

• BB/B hockey is first level of competitive hockey and is available to U8/Minor Novice to U18/Major Midget players.
• BB/B hockey is only available via the member associations.
• Generally, the associations offer one BB/B team per division where registration numbers and player development allow it.

2.   What is “Seeded Hockey”?

• As mentioned above Seeded (AA/A) hockey is offered by the London Junior Knights and the London Junior Mustangs.
• All seeded teams within the league (i.e. Sarnia to Burlington) play each other until December and then are “seeded” or declared as either an “A” or  “AA” level team based on their wins/losses etc. After the “seed”, the teams only play teams that are within their designation:
• • The AA teams play in the ‘Constellation League'
  • The A teams play in the ‘Bristol League'
• Generally, London Junior Knights teams will be seeded as “AA” teams and the London Junior Mustangs teams are seeded as “A” teams.
• For our GLHA teams, this means there is generally more travel and challenging competition prior to December than after December.

3.   Does a player have to tryout for the Spring Tryouts if they really want to play BB/B?

• We encourage all players to tryout for spring tryouts to ensure players are playing at their highest skill level.
• The association BB/B tryouts are held in the fall.

4.  When are tryouts?

• London Junior Knights AAA and AA tryouts are in the spring. Register for these tryouts via the London Junior Knights website.
• London Junior Mustangs team tryouts for seeded are in the spring.  Register for these tryouts via your local association website for U10/Minor Atom to U16/Minor Midget.

5.  Is competitive hockey more expensive the house league hockey?

• Yes. 
• There are additional costs associated with competitive hockey.
• Competitive teams are on the ice more often than house league teams and have other team expenses. The association charges a “competitive surcharge” to cover ice and other costs provided by the association.
• In addition teams may wish to purchase additional ice or go on tournaments. These costs would also be covered by the “team”.
• Many competitive teams fund-raise to cover some or all of these additional costs.

6.  What is the time commitment?

• Generally there are 1.5 to 2.5 hours of practice time per week and 1 to 2 games.
• There is also more travel, as some of the teams you will play will be outside of London (like Sarnia, Woodstock, Stratford, Brantford, Burlington, Cambridge, KW area).
• Generally there is less travel with MD hockey compared to Seeded hockey.

7.  Are playoffs during March Break?

• Yes. Playoffs for BB/B and Seeded hockey are during March Break.
• It is expected that you will NOT make holiday plans during March Break.

8.  What if we are away during tryouts?

• The London Junior Mustangs and your association has provided ample notice of tryout times.
• Please contact the VP Competitive Hockey for your association, if you have tryout schedule conflicts.

9.  When will London Junior Mustangs Coaches be announced?

• Head Coaches for teams from U10 (Minor Atom) to U18 (Midget) will be announced in Spring.

• The competitive divisions are based on birth year.