What Is London Raiders Hockey and How Do You Join the London Ontario Minor Hockey Club?
London Raiders Hockey is a minor hockey organization based in London, Ontario, formerly known as Red Circle Hockey Club. It offers house league divisions from U7 through U17, runs player and goalie development through a partnership with Snipe Academy, and hosts the Red Circle Annual Tournament each February. To join, watch the club site for evaluation schedules and registration announcements tied to the 2026–2027 season, and check the Subscribe page for updates.
What the Club Is
The London Raiders are the renamed Red Circle Hockey Club, a London, Ontario organization with more than 50 years of history. The name and look changed, but the club states it kept the values that started it. The change was covered by the London Free Press.
The site lists these divisions:
- U07
- U08
- U10
- U12
- U14
- U17
An evaluation schedule is published on the site, with sessions broken out by division and, in at least one case, by last name (for example, U8 evaluations split into A–F and G–M groups at Stronach Arena, Pad B).
How to Join or Get Evaluated
Joining runs through the club's registration and evaluation process rather than a single open sign-up form described on the homepage. The practical steps:
- Check the site for the current evaluation schedule and division listings. Evaluations are the entry point that places players into the right division.
- Attend your division's evaluation session at the listed arena and time. Sessions are grouped by division and sometimes by surname to manage numbers.
- Watch for registration announcements for the 2026–2027 season. The club posted a season news item ("The 2026/27 Season") as the season approached.
- Use the Subscribe page if you want club updates sent to you rather than checking back manually.
Season timing: the club's news and events point to a season running through the fall and winter, with the 2026–2027 season as the current cycle referenced on the site.
Programs Beyond House League
- Player and goalie development. London Raiders partners with Snipe Academy for professional player and goalie development across the 2026–2027 season. The club describes age- and skill-based player clinics plus dedicated goalie development sessions. Full program details and registration were announced as coming soon at the time of the site content.
- Junior coaching. The club posted a call for junior coaches, framed as an opportunity for high school-aged players.
- Coaching applications. A coaching application is listed alongside the house league season information, so adults can apply to coach.
Key Events and Dates
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Red Circle Annual Tournament (RCAT) | February 12–14, 2027, at Western Fair Sports Centre |
| Tournament format | Each team plays 4 games over the weekend |
| Tournament groups | U07 East, U07 West, U09, U11 East, U11 West, U13 East, U13 West, U15, U19 |
| Who can enter | All Red Circle House League Teams |
| Annual General Meeting (AGM) Part I | October 18, 12:00–12:30 PM, Stronach Arena Pad B Office |
| Special Members Meeting | October 18, 12:30–1:00 PM, Stronach Arena Pad B Office |
The tournament keeps the Red Circle name even after the club rebranded to London Raiders.
Getting Involved as a Coach or Volunteer
Two routes are posted on the site:
- Adult coaching: submit a coaching application for the house league season.
- Junior coaching: the club actively recruits high school-aged players as junior coaches.
Members can also attend the AGM and Special Members Meeting, which are the club's formal member gatherings.
Common Questions
Is London Raiders the same as Red Circle Hockey Club? Yes. Red Circle Hockey Club became London Raiders, keeping more than 50 years of history and its stated values.
What ages can play? Divisions run from U7 up to U17, with U07, U08, U10, U12, U14, and U17 listed.
How do I know when to register? Follow the club's news posts and the Subscribe page. Evaluation schedules and season announcements are posted there, and the 2026/27 season item was published as the season neared.
Where do games and evaluations happen? Stronach Arena (including Pad B) appears for evaluations and meetings; the annual tournament is at Western Fair Sports Centre.