Can 15 and 16-year-olds play Junior A?

Under the Hockey Canada Regulations on variations for fifteen and sixteen year old players in Junior hockey (2026-27):

• 15-year-olds (first year eligible U18) can only register and compete in Minor Hockey. A 15-year-old who believes they are exceptional can apply to play Major Junior under the provisions and conditions outlined by Hockey Canada. A 15-year-old can also Affiliate to a Junior A team for up to 5 games (see the question on affiliate players).
• 16-year-olds (second year eligible U18) can register and play in Junior hockey, but each Junior A team is allowed to register a maximum of two (2) such players. The limit is four for a Major Junior team and two for a Junior B team.
• A player of U18 eligibility or younger cannot transfer from another Member or federation to play other than Major Junior, except in the cases listed in the transfers answer, including a player in their last year of U18 eligibility moving to a Junior A team when their Residential Member has no Junior A hockey.