The LPAA Hockey program offers a non-contact recreational hockey program for house-league level kids aged 4 through 15.   All of our teams and divisions are open to kids of all genders.  The goal of the program is two-fold:

• to ensure the kids have a fun and sportsmanlike experience, and
• to help them learn and improve on their hockey skills. 

We want a fun but competitive league.

Our house league is split up into 5 divisions based on their age at December 31:

• Skills Division:  For ages 4 & 5 (2018 to 2019 birth years)
• Tykes Division:  For ages 6 & 7 (2016 to 2017 birth years)
• Pee Wee Division:  For ages 8 & 9 (2014 to 2015 birth years)
• Junior Division:  For ages 10 to 12 (2013 to 2011 birth years)
• Senior Division:  For ages 13 to 15 (2008 to 2010 birth years)

If you feel as though your child would be better suited to playing in a different division, please contact us and we would be happy to discuss.

SCHEDULE

The league starts when the city opens the outdoor rinks (usually the first week of December) and runs until Family Day weekend. 

Our goal is for each team to play 10 games.  Games are weather and ice-condition permitting.  Where games are cancelled due to weather or rink closures, we will do our best to make up games during nights that we have extra ice booked or after the Family Day weekend. 

Each division plays once a week at one of our three City rinks.  Games times may vary depending on the week.  Please see below for more details about the day, time and location of games by age group (subject to change based on permit availability).

Each game is divided into two activities:

• the first 10 to 15 minutes (20 to 30 minutes for the Skills division) is for a practice, and
• a game for the remaining time.

For more detailed schedule information for each of our age divisions, please scroll down to the bottom of this page.  There are tabs for each division.

APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS

To be eligible to play in the LPAA hockey league, applicants must adhere to the following requirements:

• Kids of all genders are welcome (all of our teams are mixed-gender a.k.a. co-ed)

• Players may play in another hockey league, however any “Select” (or higher) players (who have played at that level at any point during the last 12 months) from other leagues are NOT allowed.  Our experience over the years has been that just one or two Select players on a LPAA team completely throws off the team balance, and lopsided scores result with some teams winning no games and other teams winning by 10 to 0, and less-skilled players rarely touching the puck.  If a Select player is found to be on a team, they will be asked to leave the team without refund. (note that “Select” includes “Taxi squad” players).  

TEAM SELECTION

Teams are made up based on the following criteria:

• First and foremost, the skill level of the child. An unbalanced team is not fun for any child. To that end, please put some thought into the section on the application form in which you are asked to rate your child's ability, as we use this info to try to make up balanced teams.

• The need to ensure that we have volunteer Coaches on each team.

• The age of the children (a mix of younger and older).

• If possible (e.g. it does not affect balance), a request to be paired with ONE other friend.  This request is made during the registration process.  Please note that the requested friend MUST also request your child during their registration process.  Should more than one person be requested during registration, only the first requested name will be considered.

EQUIPMENT

All players must have CSA approved equipment including:

• hockey skates (no figure skates)
• helmet with full face shield/cage
• neck guard
• shoulder and elbow pads
• jock or jock shorts (with garter belt, or separate garter belt)
• hockey gloves
• hockey pants
• shin guards
• hockey stick (for proper length, hold stick vertical with child on skates, and the stick should go to their chin).

If you require help with your equipment purchase, stores like Sport Chek are good, or you can also purchase good quality beginner sets at Canadian Tire.  You may also be able to find good quality used equipment at Play it Again Sports or through online marketplaces such as Kijiji and Facebook.  

Note that team jerseys and socks will be supplied by the league just prior to the first game.  Also remember to sharpen the skates prior to the first game, and at least once during the season.

GOALIE

For each game in the Skills and Tykes division, players take turns each shift in net with their own regular equipment and with a goalie stick provided by the league for Tykes (Skills players use their own sticks).  In the Pee Wee, Junior and Senior divisions, a child is allocated to play goalie prior to each game, and full goalie equipment is provided by the league.  We encourage all children to try this position.  The coach(es) will work with the kids to come up with a goalie schedule for the season.

COACHING & VoLUNTEERING

As this is a non-profit community league, we are 100% run by volunteers.  On the application form is an area to indicate your interest in volunteering to be a Coach (ideally, we have 2 Coaches per team), and we appreciate you volunteering!  Coaches do not need to be at every game (that’s why we aim to have at least 2 Coaches per team). 

No coaching experience is necessary, just need to be able to skate.  We supply coaching skills tips to help with your coaching.  

Other volunteer positions are available too!  See the Volunteer tab at the top of this page for more information or indicate your desire to volunteer during the registration process.

GAME DAY CONDITIONS

Please note that games at outdoor rinks may occasionally be called off due to rain or excessive snow.  The Coach(es) and/or Convenor(s) will not necessarily know in advance if the rink is closed, and hence please assume that all games are on. 

In most cases, you would be surprised at what we can play in - light rain, freezing cold, and snow!  We will do our best to inform you if we become aware that the rinks are closed.  If you haven't heard otherwise and you're unsure, please show up to the rink!  You can also check on the status of the City of Toronto's outdoor rinks by clicking here.

REFEREEING

Each season, we need a number of young, enthusiastic individuals to help us referee our games.  Refereeing can be a great way to get volunteer hours.  We give preference to former LPAA hockey players.  If you are interested in refereeing for the next season, please complete the referee registration form to indicate your interest and to acknowledge some of our policies.

REGISTRATION 

Registration for the 2023-24 season will open in June and will stay open until November 18, 2023.  

Registrations received after November 18, 2023 will be subject to available spots.  Friend requests for registrations received after this date may not be accommodated.

SEASON 

One hour weekday evenings starting when the City-owned rinks open (usually the first week of December) until Family Day weekend in mid-February.

Expected 2023-24 Season:
Nov. 27, 2023 to Feb. 15, 2024

2023-24 house league

• Registration fee:   $225
• Registration fee includes ice time, team jersey and hockey socks.
• Registrations following the commencement of the season are accepted (space permitting) however we are, unfortunately, unable to provide a prorated fee for late registration.

refund policy

• On or before October 31: Refunds available less a $15 administration fee.
• On or after November 1: No refunds except for compassionate medical reasons.  Any permitted refunds subject to a $15 administrative fee.

We will be following all applicable public health guidelines and any rules required by the City of Toronto for the use of city facilities.  

Please keep in mind that public health guidelines remain fluid and may change during the season.  The LPAA strives to provide a safe environment for our players to play and have fun.