top hockey academy teams

top hockey academy teams

TOP Hockey Academy teams offer a unique approach to minor hockey by combining an efficient tournament-based schedule with local practices and professional coaching, resulting in a positive competitive hockey experience that doesn’t dominate family life.  

One of the biggest differentiators of the TOP Hockey program is our emphasis on player development and character building, along with a full-season set schedule that provides unmatched visibility over the whole hockey season. As a result of our seasonal schedule, many of our families are able to play other sports or ski during the winter months, something that is very difficult to do in the traditional minor hockey system.

TOP Hockey teams feature three practices per week throughout the late September to mid-April season, as well as a tournament-based schedule through the GTHL, OHF, and Hockey Canada. Our goal is to maintain a 3:1 practice to game ratio to prioritize quality skill development and growth throughout the season.

Depending on the team, TOP Hockey teams compete at the Select, ‘A’, or ‘A'A’ in well-matched tournaments and against suitable local opponents. Teams from U11 to U14 will play approximately 30-35 games per season, and teams from U8 to U10 will play between 20-25 games per season, following the Hockey Canada LTPD plan.

2024-2025 Teams

  • U8 Team - 2017 birthyears

  • U9 Team - 2016 birthyears

  • U10 Team - 2015 birthyears

  • U11 Team - 2014 birthyears

  • U12 Team - 2013 birthyears

  • U13 Team - 2012 birthyears

  • U14 Team - 2011 birthyears

Program Highlights

  • Local practices in Midtown Toronto, prioritizing more time on the ice and less time in the car.

  • High-quality and professional coaching staff for each team. 

  • Efficient tournament-based schedule that does not dominate family life.

  • Ski-friendly hockey teams (no Saturday practices/games during Jan, Feb, and early March). 1-2 weekends in the winter will be reserved for tournaments.

  • Blackout periods designed for family travel (Christmas, Family Day, March Break).

TOP Hockey team tryouts for the 2024-25 season are now closed. If you are interested in your child joining one of the TOP Hockey teams for the 2025-26 season, please fill out the interested player form once it is available in early 2025.

Tryouts for the 2025-2026 season will take place during the OHF’s tryout window in May 2025. For more information, please contact Technical Director Ian Mackenzie (ian@topsports.ca).

TOP HOCKEY TRYOUTS

Hockey Canada Eligibility
Per Hockey Canada rules, players may only be registered with ONE (1) sanctioned organization for the duration of the hockey season.

Respect-in-Sport Parent Program
The Ontario Hockey Federation mandates that at least one parent/guardian of all players must complete the Respect in Sport Parent Program. This mandate means that players may not participate in any TOP Hockey activity until this course has been completed.

REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS

2024-2025 coaches

ian mackenzie

Team: Head Coach, U14 (2011) Hockey
Coaching Qualifications: NCCP Certified, Hockey Canada Development 1
Post-Secondary: Wilfred Laurier University 

Max Lewis

Team: Head Coach, U13 (2012) Hockey
Coaching Qualifications: NCCP Certified, Hockey Canada Development 1
Post-Secondary: Ryerson University 

dave montelpare

Team: Head Coach, U12 (2013) Hockey
Coaching Qualifications: NCCP Certified, Hockey Canada Development 1
Post-Secondary: McMaster University

tevi mandel

Team: Head Coach, U11 (2014) Hockey
Coaching Qualifications: NCCP Certified, Hockey Canada Development 1
Post-Secondary: Queens University

BENNETT DRAKE

Team: Head Coach, U10 (2015) Hockey
Coaching Qualifications: NCCP Certified, Hockey Canada Development 1
Post-Secondary: Albany College, NCAA

james Stavridis

Team: Head Coach, U9 (2016) Hockey
Coaching Qualifications: NCCP Certified, Hockey Canada Development 1
Post-Secondary: Laurier University

AMBER STEVENSON

Team: Head Coach, U8 (2017) Hockey
Coaching Qualifications: NCCP Certified, Hockey Canada Development 1
Post-Secondary: Ontario Tech University

  • Tryouts for the 2024-2025 season will take place between April 1st-15th, 2024. Tryout applications will open in early February 2024.

  • Due to high demand, we only have a certain amount of spots open each season on any given team. An application process is required for all new players to be considered for selection. Based on open spots, only a certain number of NEW players will be accepted on each team at each age group. For entry teams (U7/U8), generally 15-16 spots will be available.

  • No, all players from the previous season must make the team each season. Our goal with each team is to keep the skill level as close as possible and not let the gap between the top and the bottom get too large.

  • Selection criteria include a current skill assessment (tryout), multi-sport history, and general family philosophy. Tryouts are used to evaluate all players who are interested in joining an existing team, including returning players from the previous season. In the event of a comparison between two players, priority will be given to TOP Multi-Sport athletes.

frequently asked questions

  • Starting with the 2024-25 season, TOP Hockey teams will join the GTHL and participate in a tournament-based schedule at the ‘A’ and “AA” levels, as well as participate in exhibition games against other local, well-matched clubs.

    Competing in an efficient tournament-based schedule will allow TOP Hockey players to continue to play in TOP Soccer and TOP Lacrosse programs while minimizing conflicts and maximizing multi-sport development. Additionally, the tournament-based schedule will allow us to provide a predictable, set schedule with no rotating games and unmatched visibility on the hockey schedule for the whole season.

  • A typical weekly schedule for a TOP Hockey Academy team features 3x practices, which can take place on weekday mornings, weeknights, and weekends. Depending on the age group, teams play 2-3 games per month. Once the schedule for the season is set, there will be minimal changes.

  • Most of our practices take place at RINX Arena, UCC Arena, Forest Hill Arena, St. Mikes Arena, Phil White Arena, or Hockey Factory Arena.

OUR CORE VALUES

#1 - Multi-Sport Development
We believe that multi-sport play, over time, is essential to creating a well-rounded and successful athlete.

#2 - Seasonal Set Schedules
Our programs feature an efficient, set schedule for the whole season, providing ultimate predictability and allowing you to plan around your sports’ commitments.

#3 - Quality Coaches Who Care
Our professional coaches take pride in building relationships with players and pushing them to reach their full potential, in sport and beyond.

#4 - Character Building Through Sport
"We use sports as a vehicle to teach essential life skills like discipline, teamwork, respect, work ethic, & accountability.