How are M9 teams and levels (A, B, C, D) organized?

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Counting: an association or organization counts its registered M9 players (goalies excluded) on October 15 and uses that number to decide how many teams to form in each recruitment territory the region accepts. The regulations then set the A, B, C and D classification for the division from a table. Changing class: an association may ask its region to move one or more teams up or down a class. Balanced teams: at the start of the season, M9 players must be spread across the teams in equal numbers or with at most one player of difference between all teams. An association can ask its region for an exception where there are frequent absences or dropouts. Class labels: Hockey Québec's M9 classes are M9 (single), M9-1 (A), M9-2 (B), M9-3 (C) and M9-4 (D). Source: Hockey Québec administrative regulations 2025-26, articles 4.8 and 6.4.