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? THE JOE 2027 | ATLANTIC CANADA LEVEL EQUIVALENCY GUIDE & REVIEW PROCESS
REAL TEAMS. RIGHT DIVISIONS. FAIR COMPETITION.
As we prepare for the 2027 Joe LaMontagne Memorial Hockey Tournament, we're introducing a Level Equivalency Guide and mandatory review process to help ensure teams are competing at the appropriate level.
Minor hockey classifications are not always consistent across Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland & Labrador. A team classified as A, AA, B or C in one province may not necessarily be equivalent to a team carrying the same classification in another.
Differences in competitive structure, league classifications and body-checking rules can create significant differences in the level of play.
Our goal is simple: fair, competitive hockey for every team participating in The Joe.
? WHO NEEDS TO COMPLETE A LEVEL EQUIVALENCY REVIEW?
Nova Scotia, New Brunswick & Prince Edward Island Teams
Review the attached Atlantic Canada Level Equivalency Guide. If your classification is marked "Review", you are required to complete the Level Equivalency Review process and receive an approved division determination before registering.
Newfoundland & Labrador Teams
All Newfoundland & Labrador teams are required to complete a Level Equivalency Review, regardless of their provincial classification.
Teams Outside Atlantic Canada
ALL teams from outside Atlantic Canada must complete a Level Equivalency Review and receive an approved division determination before registering for The Joe 2027.
U15 & U18 Teams
Body-checking rules and competitive classifications will be considered when determining appropriate divisional placement. Teams must be eligible to compete under the rules of the division they are assigned.
? IMPORTANT DATES
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October 14, 2026: Level Equivalency Review Form Opens
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October 25, 2026: Submission Deadline
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Committee Reviews: Applications reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis
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Division Determinations: Issued as reviews are completed
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October 29, 2026: Tournament Registration Opens
Teams requiring a review are strongly encouraged to submit their information as early as possible.
?? MANDATORY REVIEW REQUIREMENTS — STRICTLY ENFORCED
ANY TEAM ATTEMPTING TO REGISTER IN A DIVISION THAT REQUIRES A LEVEL EQUIVALENCY REVIEW WITHOUT FIRST COMPLETING THE REVIEW PROCESS AND RECEIVING AN APPROVED DIVISION DETERMINATION WILL HAVE ITS TOURNAMENT REGISTRATION AUTOMATICALLY REJECTED. NO EXCEPTIONS.
Please be clear on the following:
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Completing the Level Equivalency Review Form does not automatically constitute approval. Teams must receive confirmation of their approved division from the Tournament Committee.
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Teams cannot bypass the review process by registering directly into their preferred division.
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Registrations submitted without the required prior approval will be automatically rejected.
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Rejected registrations will not be held, transferred or given priority consideration.
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Teams whose registrations are rejected must complete the required review process and submit a new tournament registration, subject to availability.
IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EACH TEAM TO ENSURE ALL REQUIRED LEVEL EQUIVALENCY APPROVALS ARE IN PLACE BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO REGISTER.
? IMPORTANT — DIVISION APPROVAL DOES NOT GUARANTEE TOURNAMENT ACCEPTANCE
COMPLETING A LEVEL EQUIVALENCY REVIEW IS NOT TOURNAMENT REGISTRATION AND DOES NOT GUARANTEE ACCEPTANCE INTO THE JOE 2027.
The Level Equivalency Review process exists solely to determine the appropriate division for your team.
Even after receiving an approved division determination:
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Your team is NOT registered for the tournament.
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No tournament spot is being held or reserved.
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Division approval does NOT guarantee tournament acceptance.
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Your team MUST complete the regular tournament registration process when registration opens on October 29, 2026.
All tournament registrations remain first come, first served, subject to availability.
An approved division determination simply confirms the division in which your team is eligible to apply for registration. It does not provide preferential registration access or priority over other teams.
? COMPLETE YOUR LEVEL EQUIVALENCY REVIEW
ONLINE REVIEW FORM:
? https://forms.gle/C7puD3eG8ProPkaYA
Submission Deadline: October 25, 2026
Please ensure all information provided is accurate and complete. The Tournament Committee may request additional information or verification from your Minor Hockey Association or governing body before issuing a determination.
The Joe Tournament Committee reserves the right to review team classifications and determine appropriate divisional placement, subject to applicable governing-body regulations.
We appreciate the cooperation of participating teams as we work to maintain the competitive integrity and tradition of The Joe.
We look forward to welcoming teams from across Atlantic Canada and beyond for another great year of hockey.
THE JOE LAMONTAGNE MEMORIAL HOCKEY TOURNAMENT
History & Tradition Since 1979.
#TheJoe27
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