🏒 Under 19s

The Under 19s programme represents the highest level of junior hockey at Leeds Jr Knights. It is a fast, physical and highly competitive environment designed to challenge players at the top end of the junior game.

Our U19 players are born in 2008, 2009 and 2010, and compete across two programmes:

🔵 U19 National League
⚪ U19 Division 1 North

🔥 The U19 National League

The U19 National League is a relatively new concept, introduced for the 2025–26 season to provide elite junior players with more opportunities to compete against the very best junior programmes from across the North and South.

It represents a significant step up in intensity - Leeds Jr Knights is one of only 7 clubs in England to offer access to this level of junior hockey.

The majority of players competing in the National League are also playing senior hockey, bringing a level of speed, physicality, experience and game understanding that makes this one of the most demanding environments in junior hockey.

For ambitious young players, it's an outstanding environment in which to test themselves against some of the best junior talent in the country.

⚡ U19 Division 1 North

U19 Division 1 North is also a highly competitive level and, for the majority of clubs, represents the top level of U19 hockey available to them.

At Leeds Jr Knights, having teams competing in both the National League and Division 1 North allows us to provide players with high-quality hockey matched to their stage of development and experience.

It's an important part of our pathway, helping players transition from junior hockey towards the demands of the senior game, university, or recreational hockey.

🏒 Developing senior players

At U19 level, development takes on a different meaning.

Players are no longer simply preparing for senior hockey, many are already playing it.

The U19 programme gives players the opportunity to balance junior competition with senior experience, learning to handle the increased pace, physicality and tactical demands of the game.

It's about developing players who can compete today and perform at the next level tomorrow.

⭐ A programme with senior experience

Leeds Jr Knights U19 hockey benefits from a particularly strong connection with the senior game.

Our U19 National League team team features several current Leeds Knights players:

Edgars Vengis • Jonas Bennett • Liam Hine • Daragh Spawforth • Danny Harrison • Evan Bradon • Frank O'Sullivan • Josh Hartley

The majority of our U19 National League squad will also appear for the Leeds Knights 2 in the NIHL 1 North.

Their involvement demonstrates the quality of the pathway from Leeds Jr Knights junior hockey into the senior game.

For younger players within our programme, these players provide something incredibly valuable: a visible example of where their own hockey journey can lead.