How does minor hockey work in the Greater Toronto Area?

[puckfan13]

How does minor hockey operate in the GTA, and specifically, the GTHL?

I am from out west is the city is split up geographically and you play for the team wherever you reside typically. The city itself is split into geographical areas and if you live in a suburb you'll probably have your own team and play there. The elite programs for AAA start in bantam and go into midget and prior to that you will probably play in a minor hockey program thats split up even further geographically. I'm guessing this is how it works in most parts of the country.

From what I've heard in Toronto, there's programs like the Marlies and Young Nationals that the best players play out of. Does it matter where in Toronto you are from, can any player pick any team to play on and how early do these "elite" level programs start for winter hockey? It seems like an awful lot of behind-the-scenes and politicking would go on in a set-up like this, not that there isn't an abundance of that here. I'm just curious because I've just read in passing of those minor midget teams with Stamkos, Hodgson, Del Zotto on them or Seguin, Skinner, Oleksiak or even the one with Gagner, Tavares, Brendan Smith, etc. They all seem stacked with the best players in Toronto from one age group all combining on a super team.

Just curious about how the whole thing works

 

[Tigers1992]

The elite programs for AAA start in bantam and go into midget and prior to that you will probably play in a minor hockey program thats split up even further geographically. I'm guessing this is how it works in most parts of the country.

In the GTHL AAA elite programs start alot earlier then bantam. The OMHA and Alliance are similar, all have elite AAA programs for players 9-10 years old and older.

From what I've heard in Toronto, there's programs like the Marlies and Young Nationals that the best players play out of. Does it matter where in Toronto you are from, can any player pick any team to play on and how early do these "elite" level programs start for winter hockey?

The Marlies are the only constant 'top team'. Usually there are 2-3 other elite teams that have a high quality of players, but it varies by age group.

How does minor hockey operate in the GTA, and specifically, the GTHL?

I am from out west is the city is split up geographically and you play for the team wherever you reside typically. The city itself is split into geographical areas and if you live in a suburb you'll probably have your own team and play there.

Generally that is how it works, however in the GTHL its fairly open. As long as there are in the GTHL area, they are generally open to move anywhere, as long as they are not carded by another team. Cards only run for a year.

I'm just curious because I've just read in passing of those minor midget teams with Stamkos, Hodgson, Del Zotto on them or Seguin, Skinner, Oleksiak or even the one with Gagner, Tavares, Brendan Smith, etc. They all seem stacked with the best players in Toronto from one age group all combining on a super team.

The Stamkos team was in the OMHA. Markham Waxers program. The Young Nationals where the 3rd best team in the GTHL that year funny enough, behind the Marlboros and Jr. Canadiens.
There is an aspect of that, but thats because generally players play where they want, which Im not sure is a bad thing. Not sure how effective it would be to force players to play wher they didnt want to.

It seems like an awful lot of behind-the-scenes and politicking would go on in a set-up like this, not that there isn't an abundance of that here.

There is, no doubt. However, the cream rises to the top. Gemel Smith is a prime example of that.

 

[birddog*]

How does minor hockey operate in the GTA, and specifically, the GTHL?

I am from out west is the city is split up geographically and you play for the team wherever you reside typically. The city itself is split into geographical areas and if you live in a suburb you'll probably have your own team and play there. The elite programs for AAA start in bantam and go into midget and prior to that you will probably play in a minor hockey program thats split up even further geographically. I'm guessing this is how it works in most parts of the country.

From what I've heard in Toronto, there's programs like the Marlies and Young Nationals that the best players play out of. Does it matter where in Toronto you are from, can any player pick any team to play on and how early do these "elite" level programs start for winter hockey? It seems like an awful lot of behind-the-scenes and politicking would go on in a set-up like this, not that there isn't an abundance of that here. I'm just curious because I've just read in passing of those minor midget teams with Stamkos, Hodgson, Del Zotto on them or Seguin, Skinner, Oleksiak or even the one with Gagner, Tavares, Brendan Smith, etc. They all seem stacked with the best players in Toronto from one age group all combining on a super team.

Just curious about how the whole thing works

Skinner and Seguin weren't on the best team. They played on the Young Nats and the Jr Canadiens dominated.

Tavares and Gagner played for the Marlboros and were the best club in their age group.

In the GTHL -- AAA starts at Minor Atom and you can play for any club within Toronto.

 

[birddog*]

In the GTHL AAA elite programs start alot earlier then bantam. The OMHA and Alliance are similar, all have elite AAA programs for players 9-10 years old and older.



The Marlies are the only constant 'top team'. Usually there are 2-3 other elite teams that have a high quality of players, but it varies by age group.



Generally that is how it works, however in the GTHL its fairly open. As long as there are in the GTHL area, they are generally open to move anywhere, as long as they are not carded by another team. Cards only run for a year.



The Stamkos team was in the OMHA. Markham Waxers program. The Young Americans where the 3rd best team in the GTHL that year funny enough, behind the Marlboros and Jr. Canadiens.
There is an aspect of that, but thats because generally players play where they want, which Im not sure is a bad thing. Not sure how effective it would be to force players to play wher they didnt want to.



There is, no doubt. However, the cream rises to the top. Gemel Smith is a prime example of that.

Young Americans????

 

[RoyalGremlin]

In the GTHL AAA elite programs start alot earlier then bantam. The OMHA and Alliance are similar, all have elite AAA programs for players 9-10 years old and older.



The Marlies are the only constant 'top team'. Usually there are 2-3 other elite teams that have a high quality of players, but it varies by age group.



Generally that is how it works, however in the GTHL its fairly open. As long as there are in the GTHL area, they are generally open to move anywhere, as long as they are not carded by another team. Cards only run for a year.



The Stamkos team was in the OMHA. Markham Waxers program. The Young Americans where the 3rd best team in the GTHL that year funny enough, behind the Marlboros and Jr. Canadiens.
There is an aspect of that, but thats because generally players play where they want, which Im not sure is a bad thing. Not sure how effective it would be to force players to play wher they didnt want to.



There is, no doubt. However, the cream rises to the top. Gemel Smith is a prime example of that.

Please, tell us more, young sir.

 

[Tigers1992]

Young Americans????

Young Americans are a team in Chicago that Galchenyuk played for lol. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[Tigers1992]

Please, tell us more, young sir.

What would you like to know?

 

[Sokil]

Tavares and Gagner played for the Marlboros and were the best club in their age group.

tavares, gagner, akim aliu, rick vaive's kid, and if i'm not mistaken, ed belfour's kid had a backup role for a season

 

[Leafs87]

I played AAA for York simcoe, back when murphy and catenacci were on the team

Basically most players start off playing on the team closest to their home town. then the really good players, get offered a spot on the don mills flyers, toronto marlboros or toronto nationals. A lot of players agree to play to get noticed, but some players like catenacci stayed on their old teams, Dan was a pretty exclusive story seeing how his dad coached. But Murphy ended up stayed as well. But I can't recall if Murphy even got a call from the bigger teams.

If you look at the nats, marlies or flyers line up none of the players are really local, except maybee younger age groups. Things may have changed since I played though

 

[bruinsfan46]

tavares, gagner, akim aliu, rick vaive's kid, and if i'm not mistaken, ed belfour's kid had a backup role for a season

Also Brendan Smith, Bryan Cameron and I believe Cory Trivino playing a year up as well as Tavares. I saw them play my cousin's Jr. Knights team (with Drew Doughty) in the OHL Cup final. The Marlies won 5-0, completely dominated. Logan Couture not playing Jr. B could have made it a little closer.

The GTHL has no geographical rights, every kid in the area can play for whoever so it's really a free for all. Around here in The Alliance for example, you have to get a release from every team geographically between you and the team you want to play for.

 

[Black]

One thing to keep in mind: to play for one of the 12 GTHL AAA teams, a player must still live with at least one of his parents within the boundaries of the actual City of Toronto. The one exception to this is that each team can sign 5 "import" players who reside in the "Lake Ontario Region", which is effectively one layer of jurisdiction beyond the borders of the City of Toronto.

Depending on your opinion of Hockey Canada/Ontario Hockey Federation residency rules, the dirty little secret of the GTHL is that there are LOTS of players and teams that get around these residency rules by having the players/parents use fake addresses, live with teammates or non-parent family members, etc. Parents are even "separating", with one parent "moving" with the player away from the family home into an apartment in the city for a few days a week.

The reason that players and team officials are not being suspended for doing this is because the top 3-4 teams in each age group are doing it, so nobody will rat on an opponent lest it blow up in his own team's face. For example, off the top of my head I can think of around 8-10 players who played for the 96 Rebels and Marlies, arguably the two best all-96 teams in North America, who would not have been eligible to play in the GTHL had their circumstances been investigated and HC/OHF residency rules been applied strictly.

 

[IHaveNoCreativity]

It's basically a free agent system, top programs get the top players.

It's not the fairest system, but it's worked pretty well in terms of developing players.

 

[Tigers1992]

One thing to keep in mind: to play for one of the 12 GTHL AAA teams, a player must still live with at least one of his parents within the boundaries of the actual City of Toronto. The one exception to this is that each team can sign 5 "import" players who reside in the "Lake Ontario Region", which is effectively one layer of jurisdiction beyond the borders of the City of Toronto.

Depending on your opinion of Hockey Canada/Ontario Hockey Federation residency rules, the dirty little secret of the GTHL is that there are LOTS of players and teams that get around these residency rules by having the players/parents use fake addresses, live with teammates or non-parent family members, etc. Parents are even "separating", with one parent "moving" with the player away from the family home into an apartment in the city for a few days a week.

The reason that players and team officials are not being suspended for doing this is because the top 3-4 teams in each age group are doing it, so nobody will rat on an opponent lest it blow up in his own team's face. For example, off the top of my head I can think of around 8-10 players who played for the 96 Rebels and Marlies, arguably the two best all-96 teams in North America, who would not have been eligible to play in the GTHL had their circumstances been investigated and HC/OHF residency rules been applied strictly.

I hear that alot, but at the end of the day no one has shown me alot of documented evidence to suggest that parents actually get divorced to put a kid in the OHL. There was a few parents in the rinks that made that statement to me, but when I pressed them, couldnt really give me more info other then 'cause I say so'.

Most of the players moved with a parent to the GTHL area to play, which is fine according to the residencey rules (ive coached in AAA before, I know the rules fairly well). If a parent wants to do that, more power too them.

Its not just a GTHL thing, its all over the place.

 

[baronbaik]

What would you like to know?

How do the coaches get selected? Do the coaches stay with the kids from Minor Atom right until Midget or do the organizations recruit coaches?

 

[baronbaik]

Also, what's the schedule like for these kids?
How many games and practices per week?
What do they do in the offseason?
Do the players have video review sessions?

 

[JFA87-66-99]

What is the youngest age that the gthl will allow in minor atom. I think thats there youngest division for 9 and under, but would they allow a 7 or 8 year old player depending on skill? Also how does playing-up work in gthl? Do players skip divisions generally like say, would an exceptional 10-11 year old skip minor peewee and go straight to major peewee or maybe minor bantam. What players in the past have played up and how so. I beileve McDavid played with the 96's but with what age groups. Lets say the next gretzky was coming up thru the gthl ranks and dominating from the beginnin. How do you think his youth hockey would go starting at 5 or 6 in tyke or novice by that i mean divisions. Obviously he'd play minor midget at 14 and get EPS into the ohl at 15.

 

[Oleg Petrov]

I'm moving to Toronto and my son has just turned 3, so he's started with Outdoor rinks, skating classes and the like. I'm going to be living in Etobicoke and in a couple of years he'll start organized hockey.

How does it work specifically at that age? I would assume it's House League and just for fun, but what hockey association would I be registering with? I've looked online and it doesn't seem to show any restrictions IE I can sign up wherever I like...Any advice would be appreciated, just so he doesn't miss out on playing because of some type of administrative error on my part.

 

[Nikita Gucherov]

What is the approximate population that the GTHL draws from (including those allowable import players)? The GTA is 6+ million.

Where do the teams in Michigan (Honeybaked, Little Caesars, Belle Tire, etc.) draw from?