Players in the Prince Albert Youth Hockey League (PAYHL) watch the play during a game at the Lake Country Co-op Leisure Centre. (Prince Albert Youth Hockey League/Facebook)

By Logan Lehmann

Summer Hockey

P.A. Youth Hockey League gives kids a place to play in the summer, and a glimpse of the pros

Jul 14, 2025 | 3:06 PM

A new hockey league in Prince Albert is aiming to give youth players a place to play during the summer, as well as a look into what it’s like as a pro.

The Prince Albert Youth Hockey League (PAYHL) was created earlier this year, giving U12 players born from 2014-2016, with the exception of some 2017-born players, a place to play and develop when on summer break.

Cole Massey is the founder of PAYHL and said it all started with the opening of the new Lake Country Co-op Leisure Centre and their two state-of-the-art year-round arenas.

“It’s something we started based on scrimmages that we put on for the kids. We just wanted to create something that gave them a space to continue skating for the kids that don’t always have that opportunity.”

“This is the first year we’ve had ice 365 days of the year. A lot of kids get to play in the spring league, but it’s more for the higher skill levels, which we do have a lot of. This is more geared towards everyone, not just the select few who either have the money or have the connections or have the skill.”

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The league played their first games on June 1 and has 64 registered players, where they were put into a draft and split into four teams of 16 kids, with talent coming from all levels.

“We have one or two players that have never played hockey before; they just started playing pond hockey and stuff like that, but this is the first year where they actually have equipment and are playing organized hockey. The rest range from ‘C’ players all the way up to ‘A’ players, where we have a mixed bag of skill levels.”

Players are also given the experience of what it’s like to play in the pros, with music being played throughout the games and announcers calling the action, as well as interviews being conducted following the games.

“This is reminiscent of almost preparing them for the big leagues if they were to make the NHL tomorrow, and they got to experience that for the day. You really see it on the kids’ faces where they’re always asking, ‘Am I next for the interview?’ It’s more of like a thing that all the kids want and they’re kind of excited for, and I think it really is opening up the kids to new experiences.”

Playoffs for the league’s inaugural season are scheduled for Sunday, July 20, however, Massey added that they’ll have another mini season in August with the same number of kids and are looking to expand the league for next summer.

“We want to try to develop all the age groups, all the way up from U18 down to U9.”

Late additions to the league are welcome and will be listed on teams as ‘APs’, filling in wherever needed. Those interested in registering their kids can contact the league’s Facebook Group, Instagram account, or by emailing princealbertyhl@gmail.com.

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loganc.lehmann@pattisonmedia.com

On Bluesky: @loganlehmann.bsky.social