u7 development program

u7 development program

NEW for the 2024-2025 hockey season is the introduction of the U7 Development Program for 2018 and 2019 birthyears, designed to provide young players with a development-focused hockey experience that bridges the gap between introductory hockey programs and competitive Academy teams. 

Core Values 

  1. Positive Experience – our goal is to provide a positive hockey experience that builds passion for sport and love for the game!

  2. Development Focus – our focus is helping ALL players improve their hockey skills, feel more confident, and thrive in a team environment. 

  3. Character Building – sports can be used as a vehicle to teach life lessons and help young players develop teamwork, work ethic, discipline, & leadership skills throughout the season.  

Ski-Friendly Schedule 
The U7 Development Program features a predictable weekly schedule with practices at local rinks, with the full schedule set well before the season starts. During the ski season (Jan 1 to Mar 15), there will be a blackout period from Friday 4pm to Sunday 4pm each weekend.

Program Highlights

  • 2x practices per week in Midtown Toronto, prioritizing more time on the ice and less time in the car.

  • Non-parent professional coaching staff. 

  • Efficient intersquad Showdown Games built into the practice schedule.

  • Ski-friendly schedule (no hockey from Friday 4pm to Sunday 4pm in winter). 

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

Showdown Games 
All games for the U7 Development program will be played as half-ice intersquad "Showdown Games", designed to optimize development time and create a highly efficient schedule. Showdown Games are much more efficient for development at young ages and provide more puck touches and more scoring, while still providing an introduction to competitive hockey.

The application period for the 2024-2025 season is now closed. Successful applicants will be contacted by email by the end of March 2024.

Applications for the 2025-26 season for 2019 and 2020 birthyears will open in mid-January 2025.

For more information, please contact TOP Hockey Technical Director Ian Mackenzie (ian@topsports.ca).

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED

TOP Hockey U8 Team
Preference for the following season’s TOP Hockey U8 team is given to players who have graduated from the U7 Development program.

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

MEET PROGRAM DIRECTOR BRITTANY MATHISON!

If you’ve been at a TOP Hockey Learn-to-Play program over the past few seasons, you’ve undoubtedly met Coach Brittany. Brittany is one of those role-model coaches that you don’t quickly forget. Her passion for helping kids learn and grow, combined with her infectious enthusiasm and love for hockey are only a few of the reasons that make Coach Brittany so great.

Originally from Toronto, Brittany has carved out a decade-long career with the City of Toronto’s Parks & Rec department, including roles as Community Youth Supervisor, Facility Manager, Head Instructor, and Camp Coordinator. In addition, Brittany has worked with the Toronto Maple Leafs at MLSE LaunchPad since 2017, where she’s led the design and implementation of the master program schedule. Brittany holds an Advanced Degree in Business Marketing & Administration from George Brown College, and has completed numerous certifications through NCCP, Hockey Canada, OHF, and the GTHL.

frequently asked questions

  • Registering your child for a year-long hockey program can be nerve-wracking, we get it! The only promises we will ever make is that your child will LOVE their experience with TOP Hockey, have a ton of fun, and significantly improve as a hockey player. We are confident that the rest will take care of itself.

  • We believe that through a combination of high-quality practices, intersquad Showdown Games, and quality coaching we can create a development-focused hockey program that maximizes efficiency and doesn’t force families to over-invest time and resources into their child’s hockey journey at a young age.

  • Our professional coaches are teachers, mentors, and role models who are dedicated to helping create the next generation of leaders by instilling our core values of teamwork, respect, and work ethic at every opportunity. Coaches are carefully selected based on their previous coaching experience, playing experience, and philosophy, as well as thoroughly trained on the TOP Hockey model and expectations.

  • A typical weekly schedule for the U7 Development program features 2x practices, which can take place on weekday mornings, weeknights, and weekends. Generally teams play 2x Showdown Games per month which take place during practice times. Once the schedule for the season is set, there will be minimal changes.

  • Due to high demand, we only have a certain amount of spots open each season for each birthyear. An application process is required for all players to be considered for selection. Based on open spots, only a certain number of players will be accepted on each team at each birthyear. Generally the program is an even split between each birthyear.

  • Selection criteria includes a current skill assessment, multi-sport history, and general family philosophy. Applications 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.

  • No, as per Hockey Canada rules, players must play for only one organization during the season (Sept to March) and cannot participate with another organization.

  • Registration fees for the TOP Hockey U7 Development Program are an 'all-in' cost and covers all icetime, professional coaching, games, custom TOP Hockey uniforms, hockey bag, and Hockey Canada registration fees. Team fees exclude any travel-related costs and hockey equipment.

    Included Uniform: Custom TOP Titans home & away jersey, 2x socks, player equipment bag, and helmet stickers.