learn-to-play program
registration IS NOW OPEN!
The newly expanded TOP Hockey Learn-to-Play program is returning next season for 2019, 2020, and 2021 birthyears! This program features a full-year schedule from September to April, with registration available for one or two sessions per week at UCC Arena or RINX Arena.
The TOP Hockey Learn-to-Play program is one of the only programs that combines professional coaching and high-quality development with an efficient, ski-friendly hockey schedule. Our program provides a perfect introduction for beginner players to improve their skills in a fun, engaging environment, with the goal of moving to the U7 Development program for the following season. Please note this is not a Learn-to-Skate program, all players must be able to stand up independently and move around the ice without help. Full hockey equipment is required to participate, and a TOP Hockey jersey & socks are provided
Features
Ski-Friendly Schedule - no sessions on Fridays, Saturdays, or Sunday mornings
Professional Coaches - professional coaching staff overseen by TOP Hockey Technical Director Ian Mackenzie
Monthly Intersquad Games - following Hockey Canada’s Small-Sided Games model, players will play 3v3 or 4v4 small-area games with smaller nets
Skill-Based Groups - players will be split into LTP1 and LTP2, providing a development pathway to join the TOP Hockey U7 Program next season
Innovative Curriculum - modern skill development model based on the latest research from Hockey Canada and USA Hockey ADM
Player Eligibility Notes
Due to our three-year pilot agreement with the GTHL, registration for TOP Hockey programs is restricted until the 2027-2028 season. Please review the following criteria to determine if your child is eligible to register for this program:
Eligible Players
Players who were registered in TOP Hockey Learn-to-Play for the 2024-2025 season
Players who have never been registered with another GTHL Club (ie. no existing Hockey Canada Registry number)
GTHL Clubs do not include Skating Programs, CanSkate, Hockey Camps, etc
Ineligible Players
Players who have been previously registered with a GTHL club are unfortunately not eligible to register for this program
If you have any questions about whether your child is eligible to register, please email hockey@topsports.ca.
LEARN-TO-PLAY PROGRAM FAQ
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This program is available to players born in 2019-2021.
This is NOT a Learn-to-Skate program and players must be able to do the following:
Should be able to get up and down independently and move around on skates without assistance.
Must feel comfortable on the ice without a parent.
Should be capable of striding or skating freely across the ice.
Should have some experience handling a puck with a stick.
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Per Hockey Canada rules, players may only be registered with ONE (1) sanctioned organization for the duration of the hockey season.
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Hockey stick (cut chin height & taped)
Hockey helmet w/ cage
Neckguard (mandatory)
Skates
Gloves
Shoulder pads
Elbow pads
Hockey Pants
Hockey Shinpads
Jock/Jill
Jersey (provided)
Hockey Socks
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Yes! Generally speaking programs still run through holiday weekends like Thanksgiving and Family Day. During the Winter Holiday Break there will be NO hockey sessions.
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The focus of our Learn-to-Play program is learning core fundamental skills through gameplay, often called “Game-Based Learning”. Research shows that the best way for kids to learn is through fun age-appropriate activities with an emphasis on competition.
As an example, if we are teaching balance and agility, instead of having young players skate mindlessly around pylons, we will play a few games of Octopus where players are trying to tag each other and skate as fast a possible. Generally this results in kids skating faster, trying harder, and having more fun than a traditional “drill”, and still accomplishes the goal of teaching core skills.
Over the course of the season, you can expect your child to explore the fundamentals of skating, striding, turning, stopping, edges, stickhandling, passing, shooting, and basic gameplay.
TOP HOCKEY PROGRAM FAQ
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Yes, all players who wish to join the TOP Hockey U7 Development program for the following season should be in TOP Hockey Learn-to-Play the previous season.
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TOP Hockey offers the following levels:
Competitive GTHL Teams: offering U8 to U15 Select, A, & AA teams competing in a tournament-based schedule through the GTHL
U7 Development Program: Introductory competitive program for 6 & 7 year-olds with two weekly practices and bi-weekly Intersquad Showdown Games
Learn-to-Play Program: Introductory recreational program featuring professional coaching and high-quality development with an efficient ski-friendly schedule.
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Each TOP Hockey team will be entered into tournaments at the level that best suits the skill level of the team. Generally speaking, TOP Hockey teams reach the ‘A’ or ‘AA’ level by U12/U13, though we never promise a certain level of play as that depends on the ability of the team.
We have the ability move teams up skill levels mid-season to provide the best competition. -
At the U8 and U9 levels, teams are picked through “Player Assessments”, which take into account a player’s skill level in tryouts, multi-sport participation, and the overall philosophy of the family. Between U8 to U11 we generally don’t make skill-based cuts year-to-year as we believe that kids need sufficient time to develop.
For U10+, teams are picked exclusively through tryouts each Spring. All players, returning and new, must be selected for the team each season to ensure the competitiveness of the team grows each year.
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TOP Hockey programs do not have practices from Friday 5pm to Sunday 3:30pm on weekends in January and February. For GTHL teams, tournaments may be scheduled on weekends throughout the winter.
TOP Hockey teams from U15 to U18 are not ski-friendly and there will be practices and games on weekends in the winter.