Ice Hockey New Zealand (IHNZ) 2026
- Youth Development Camps (YDC): Focus on on-ice/off-ice training based on modern development models.
- Queenstown: March 20–23.
- Canterbury: April 24–27.
- Wellington: May 15–17.
- Dunedin: May 29 – June 1.
- Auckland: October 23–26.
- International Competition: The New Zealand U18 Men's team is competing in the IIHF Under 18 World Championship Division III Group A in Hong Kong from March 2–8, 2026.
- Regional Leagues: The Auckland Ice Hockey Association (AIHA) has opened registrations for 2026 Bantam (under 15) and Junior (under 18) leagues.
- Tournament Information: Information on 2026 National Secondary School tournaments will be available on the Hockey New Zealand website.
Ice Hockey New Zealand Youth Development Camps Return for 2026
Ice Hockey New Zealand is excited to welcome the return of our regional Youth Development Camps for 2026, delivering high-quality development opportunities for young players across the country.
These camps are a cornerstone of our national development pathway, combining skill progression, game understanding, and enjoyment of the sport in a positive, supportive environment. Players who attend the camp will be coached by New Zealand’s leading coaches, as well as coaches from USA Hockey at the Canterbury and Auckland events.
What to Expect
The Youth Development Camps are designed to provide age-appropriate on-ice and off-ice training that supports long-term player development while keeping sessions engaging and enjoyable.
Training programmes are built around the latest best-practice youth hockey principles, drawing on USA Hockey’s research and modern player development models. Sessions focus on skating, puck skills, decision-making, and overall hockey IQ, supported by structured off-ice components.
Players are grouped by age and ability level, ensuring each participant is challenged appropriately and supported throughout the camp.
Training Focus
Age appropriate skill development with lots of reps and game-like situations
Who Can Attend
These camps are open to male and female players and goaltenders born between 2008 and 2019.
Participants must be confident skaters, as the camps are not designed for beginner skaters. All players, regardless of age, are expected to be able to skate independently and safely. If you are unsure whether the camp is suitable for your child, we recommend speaking with your club Head Coach before registering.
All are welcome to choose to register as per below :
How to Register
Registrations are completed online through the Ice Hockey New Zealand esportsdesk player registration system.
Click on the “Register Now” button above for the event you wish to register in.
If you already have an esportsdesk account with your local club, you can use the same login details. If you do not yet have an account, you can create one through the registration link before completing your camp entry.
A step-by-step guide to creating an account and registering is available below.
