top hockey academy teams

TOP Hockey Academy Teams offer players a unique approach to competitive hockey by offering local practice time, competitive games and tournaments, professional coaching, and a strong emphasis on creating a positive hockey experience.

We believe in focusing on the process, not the outcome, and believe strongly that age-appropriate development is the best way to keep kids in sport longer. We structure our practices so that players are placed into small groups rotating through stations focusing on individual skills, technical instruction, and game-based learning. We believe our small group format is essential for kids to get individual feedback, quality coaching, and high-level engagement. All practices take place in Midtown Toronto, while some games and/or tournaments may require minimal travel.

2023-2024 Teams

U8 Team (2016 birthyears)
U9 Team (2015 birthyears)
U10 Team (2014 birthyears)
U11 Team (2013 birthyears)
U13 Team - White (2011/2012 birthyears)
U13 Team - Blue (2011/2012 birthyears)
U15 Team (2009/2010 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 game and tournament schedules that does not dominate family life.
Ski-friendly hockey teams (no Saturday practices/games during Jan, Feb, and early March).
Blackout periods designed for family travel (Christmas, Family Day, March Break).

Arena Locations

UCC Arena, RINX Arena, Forest Hill Arena, Phil White Arena, St. Mikes Arena, Hockey Factory

Games

Pre-Academy U8 & U9 teams play an in-house game schedule designed to optimize development time and create a highly efficient schedule, plus a few tournaments throughout the season.

U10 Academy teams play a tournament-based schedule that provides 15-20 games per season plus 60-65 practices.

Academy teams U11 and older participate in the ORHL League as members, which equals roughly 32 games per season, including regular season, tournaments, and championships.

Tryouts & Assessments

If you are interested in joining one of the TOP Hockey teams please email Technical Director Ian Mackenzie.

The tryout period for the 2023-2024 season is now closed. Tryouts for the 2024-2025 season will take place between April 1st-15th, 2024. Tryout applications will open in early February 2024.

Email Ian Mackenzie

Frequently Asked Questions

Please reach us at info@topsports.ca if you cannot find an answer to your question.

How Are Tryout Invitations Determined?

Invitations to tryouts are determined based on a number of different factors including but not limited to; submitted application, past athletic experience, current skill level, family philosophies, and alignment as well as the desired team’s current skill level and roster openings.

Why Do You Have An Application Process?

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 (U8), 16-18 spots will be available.

Do Players From The Previous Season Automatically Make The Team?

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.

How Are Players Picked?

Selection criteria includes a current skill assessment, 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 an even comparison between two players, priority will be given to multi-sport TOP Academy athletes.

Who Do You Play?

TOP Hockey teams at the U11 age and older play in the ORHL, a rep-level league based in southern Ontario. Within the ORHL, TOP teams play a 32-game regular season schedule, including 3-4 tournaments, plus a Championship Tournament at the end of March.

U8 to U10 teams play in 2-3 tournaments per season, plus festival games against local clubs. Teams at this age generally play between 10-20 games, depending on the age.

What Is A Typical Weekly Schedule?

A typical weekly schedule for a TOP Hockey Academy team features 3x practices, which can take place on weekday mornings, weeknights, and weekends. Once the schedule for the season is set, there will be minimal changes.

Where Do You Practice?

Pending final confirmation each season, most of our practices take place at RINX Arena, UCC Arena, Forest Hill Arena, St. Mikes Arena, Phil White Arena, or Hockey Factory Arena.

What's Included In My Child's Registration Fee?

Costs for the 2023-24 TOP Hockey Academy season will range between $3,300 - $4,300 per player, depending on the team. Each registration fee is an 'all-in' cost and covers all icetime, professional coaching, games, tournaments, uniforms, and insurance expenses for that season, excluding any travel-related costs and hockey equipment.

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

Our Core Values

#1 Quality practice time over quantity of games

#2 Consistent, convenient, manageable schedule that allows for and encourages multi-sport play

"Practice does not make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect."

- Vince Lombardi

#2 Consistent, convenient, manageable schedule that allows for and encourages multi-sport play

"It is not enough to be busy... The question is: what are we busy about?"

- Henry David Thoreau

#3 - Focus on long term athletic development that promotes well rounded athletes

"Forget about winning and losing - put your focus on learning and developing. It's a much better long-term strategy, trust me."

- Nicolas Gregoriades

#4 - High quality coaching that builds character

#3 - Focus on long term athletic development that promotes well rounded athletes

"A good Coach can change a GAME. A great Coach can change a LIFE."

- John Wooden

top hockey academy teams

Tryouts & Assessments

Frequently Asked Questions

Our Core Values

#1 Quality practice time over quantity of games

#2 Consistent, convenient, manageable schedule that allows for and encourages multi-sport play

#2 Consistent, convenient, manageable schedule that allows for and encourages multi-sport play

#2 Consistent, convenient, manageable schedule that allows for and encourages multi-sport play

#2 Consistent, convenient, manageable schedule that allows for and encourages multi-sport play

#2 Consistent, convenient, manageable schedule that allows for and encourages multi-sport play

#3 - Focus on long term athletic development that promotes well rounded athletes

#3 - Focus on long term athletic development that promotes well rounded athletes

#3 - Focus on long term athletic development that promotes well rounded athletes

#4 - High quality coaching that builds character

#3 - Focus on long term athletic development that promotes well rounded athletes

#3 - Focus on long term athletic development that promotes well rounded athletes

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