GTHL League of the Week

Equipment*

*The above list is for brand new equipment to be used as a guide on what families need to purchase for their child. There are stores such as Play it Again Sports who sell used equipment at a discounted price.

Most hockey programs will have a hockey jersey and socks as part of their registration fee.

Is hockey safe?

Yes, hockey is a safe sport for kids. Kids begin slow by learning the basics – first with learning how to skate, followed by how to use a stick as they get progress and get older. Hockey is also a very well-supervised sport with coaches, trainers, and volunteers present on-ice, as well as on the bench during games. Additionally, hockey is made even safer through the levels of protection hockey equipment provides. In fact, youth hockey players have visited emergency rooms across Canada less often than kids who play football, soccer, basketball, and/or wrestle.

Hockey is a great sport but just like all sports, it does carry some risk. The risk, however, is very low in the younger years.

How much does hockey cost?

A common misperception persists among many that playing hockey is financially out of reach when, in fact, hockey is in-line with the cost of other sports such as basketball and soccer at the introductory and recreational levels.
Registration costs for house league can range from $300 to $600 for a season. A house league season usually includes one game and one practice per week. A season begins in October and runs through the end of March (approximately 24 weeks in duration). If cost is a barrier for your family, please visit the current funding opportunities available by clicking here.

There is an added cost that comes with purchasing equipment to play hockey. Hockey equipment, however, does not need to be bought every season and typically lasts a few years for a child – until they out grow items. For a child’s first time playing hockey, a brand new set of equipment can be purchased for approximately $250 to $300. Canadian Tire and Pro Hockey Life are both options where all pieces of equipment can be purchased. There are also stores that sell used equipment at a discounted rate such as Play It Again Sports. Additionally, many hockey associations receive donations of equipment when other players out grow items and may have equipment available for new participants for free.

Is the GTHL just for boys?

Boys and girls are welcome to participate in the GTHL. The GTHL is proud to have many girls already currently playing in GTHL programming at all age and skill levels. In fact, many of our female alumni have gone on to enjoy successful hockey careers, earning scholarships at the post-secondary level while some have even become Olympians such as Team Canada’s Natalie Spooner and Laura Stacey. Logistically, when needed and/or requested, girls will be provided with safe and separate change room facilities.

Is hockey inclusive?

A: Organized hockey has long carried the perception of being a sport primarily for white and upper-class families. While there have always been exceptions, recent years have seen a deliberate and meaningful push to change this narrative. Across the game, organizations have worked to make hockey more accessible, affordable, and welcoming for everyone who wants to play.

For the GTHL, this work formally began in November 2019 with the Transition Game Summit, which set the stage for the League’s Strategic Plan released in August 2021. Since then, the GTHL has advanced a number of initiatives and built partnerships — both formal and informal — with organizations such as KidSport Ontario, Hockey Equality, You Can Play, Whitefish River First Nation, Canadian Blind Hockey, VOLT Hockey, the NHL, the NHLPA, and the Carnegie Initiative. These collaborations reflect a shared commitment to increasing participation and ensuring hockey is a game for all. The GTHL also expanded on its Transition Game efforts with the GTHL Breakout Summit in November 2024.

Beyond programming and partnerships, the GTHL has taken an active role in listening to its families. Through surveys, conversations, and engagement initiatives, the League continues to gather feedback to better understand community needs and identify ways to strengthen support in areas such as diversity, equity, diversity, and inclusion.

What is house league?

Across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), there are local community hockey leagues called House Leagues. House Leagues operate recreational hockey for players (including all genders) as young as four years old up to 21 years of age. House Leagues often provide learn-to-play options as well as skill development sessions to provide players an opportunity to have safe, fun, and meaningful hockey experiences as they progress in the sport.

What is competitive and/or “Rep” hockey?

Within our communities there are also opportunities for players to participate in higher levels of competition. The higher levels are called Competitive (or sometimes referred to as “Rep” – short for Representative Hockey). These levels are classified as “A,” “AA,” and “AAA” (the highest level).