Games Centre

What’s a Playoff  TBA?
Our regular season has come to an end and you will start to see that Playoff TBA slots have been set aside. They are listed for your age group and for teams in the AA and A loop you will start to see familiar rinks that will be used to populate the schedule for your play-offs that help you understand which will be used for the East and West. These TBA slots will also show you the day of the week your game is going to be played while we shift games into rink a bit later.  For example if you are in Under 11 AA you might see a slot for a rink like Westwood which would is set aside for the West playoffs. You may also see a game scheduled on a date such as March 9th but have no rink assigned. This lets you know that March 9th is a game day for you and that you can hopefully balance out practice schedules around games in advance.

Under 10 to Under 12 Scheduling 
The Under 10 to Under 12 preliminary round and first round will have games scheduled at the same time. The first round qualified teams will have a modified schedule to start their play-offs while teams in the preliminary round will have an accelerated schedule.  The rationale for this is to avoid a lengthy lay-off for all of our teams.  It will for example  be scheduled that a team that is qualified in the first round ends up getting one game in a week while the teams in the preliminary round would play at an accelerated pace.

The Pursuit of a Big Championship 
In addition to trying to win a GTHL Playoff Championship some of the teams will be chasing more glittering hardware with post playoff events.

OHF Championships are held in Under 13 AA, Under 15 AA and Under 18 AA. They take place on April 19th to 21st and GTHL playoffs will be completed by April 11th for these groups. The Under 13 A OHF Championship participant from the GTHL will be the winner of playoff series between the GTHL competitive champion and the MHL champion.

The “A” Championships are being held on April 21st. The teams in U12, U14, U15, U16, U17, U18 could go as far as April 19th and then the GTHL Competitive champion plays the MHL playoff champion.

The Under 16 AAA teams are looking to qualify for the OHL Cup being held from March 25th to 30th. Teams can qualify through the playoffs or get an invite to play in a wild card game.

HC Championships are held in Under 13 AAA, Under 15 AAA and Under 18 AAA. these championships are held in April and champions must be declared one week in advance.

Tie-breaker Games 
Under 13 AA West – 8th place – Vaughan Panthers at Mississauga North Stars on February 20th at Scotiabank Pond 2

Under 14 AA East – 8th place – Leaside Flames at Goulding Park Rangers on February 26th at Herb Carnegie

Under 15 A West – 1st place – Vaughan Rangers at Greater Toronto Capitals on February 26th at Vaughan Sports Village A

Deciding Games – Playoffs

Under 15 AA West – Potential for Game 6 – Streetsville Tigers vs. Mississauga Beast at Iceland 2 on March 7th (Play until arena curfew)

Under 18 AA – Potential for Game 6 – Toronto Shamrocks vs Toronto Eagles at Thornhill Centre West on March 7^th (Play until arena curfew)

Under 16 AA East – Potential for Game 6 – Forest Hill Force vs North Toronto at Chesswood 1 on March 9th (Play until arena curfew)

Under 16 AA West – Potential for Game 6 – Duffield Devils vs West Mall Lightning at Westwood 1 on March 9th (Play until arena curfew)

Under 16 A  West – Potential for Game 6 – West Mall Lightning vs Avalanche at Westwood 5 on March 9th (Play until arena curfew)

Under 15 A West – Potential for Game 6 – Toronto Wolverines vs Toronto Eagles at Etobicoke Ice Sports 1 on March 9th (Play until arena curfew)

Under 18 A – Potential for Game 6 – Goulding Park Rangers vs North Toronto at Ted Reeve Arena on March 19th (Play until arena curfew)

Under 16 AA – Potential for Game 6 – Ted Reeve Thunder vs North York Knights at Forest Hill Arena on March 22nd (Play until arena curfew)

Under 15 A West– Potential for Game 6 –Avalanche vs Greater Toronto Capitals at Westwood 2 on March 23rd (Play until arena curfew)

Under 16 AA West– Potential for Game 6 – Duffield Devils vs Toronto Wolverines at Vaughan Sports Village D on March 24th (Play until arena curfew)

Under 16 A  West – Potential for Game 6 – Toronto Eagles vs Avalanche at Chesswood 2 on March 24th (Play until arena curfew)

Under 14 A West– Potential for Game 6 – The Attack vs Humber Valley Sharks at Lambton on March 24th (Play until arena curfew)

Under 14 AA East– Potential for Game 6 – West Hill Golden Hawks vs Scarborough Young Bruins at Scarborough Centennial on March 25th (Play until arena curfew)

Under 16 A East– Potential for Game 6 – Don Mills Mustangs vs Avenue Road Ducks at Scotiabank Pond 3 on March 25th (Play until arena curfew)

Under 18 AA – Potential for Game 6 – Markham Islanders vs Mississauga Rattlers at Westwood 1 on March 30th (Play until arena curfew)

Under 15 AA West – Potential for Game 6 – Vaughan Rangers vs Vaughan Panthers at Westwood 5 on March 30th (Play until arena curfew)

Under 18 A – Potential for Game 6 – North Toronto vs Leaside Flames at Scotiabank Pond 4 on March 31st (Play until arena curfew)

Under 17 A East– Potential for Game 6 – Forest Hill Force vs Toronto Aeros at Scotiabank Pond 3 on March 31st (Play until arena curfew)

Under 13 AA West– Potential for Game 4 – Duffield Devils vs Vaughan Rangers at Herb Carnegie on April 3rd (Play until arena curfew)

Under 13 A– Potential for Game 4 – Toronto Eagles vs Avenue Road Ducks at Fenside on April 7th (Play until arena curfew)

Under 18 A – Potential for Game 6 – North Toronto vs Don Mills Mustangs at Scotiabank Pond 1 on April 10 (Play until arena curfew)

Under 18 AA – Potential for Game 6 – Markham Islanders vs Greater Toronto Capitals at Scotiabank Pond 3 on April 11 (Play until arena curfew)

Under 10 AAA – Potential for Game 4 – Jr. Canadiens vs Toronto Young Nationals at Scotiabank Pond 1 on April 11 (Play until arena curfew)

Under 12 AAA – Potential for Game 4 – North York Rangers vs Mississauga Rebels at Scotiabank Pond 4 on April 11 (Play until arena curfew)

Under 12 A East – Potential for Game 4 – Ted Reeve Thunder vs North York Knights at St. Mikes on April 14 (Play until arena curfew)

Under 11 A West – Potential for Game 4 – Vaughan Rangers vs Toronto Wolverines at Scotiabank Pond 3 on April 15 (Play until arena curfew)

Under 11 A East – Potential for Game 4 – Leaside Flames vs Forest Hill Force at Scotiabank Pond 2 on April 15 (Play until arena curfew)

As per Hockey Canada playing rules, if at the end of regulation time the score is tied, the teams shall take a two-minute rest at their benches and the following shall then apply:

1. If the referee feels it is necessary, they may order the ice to be cleaned at the end of the three regulation periods.
2. The teams shall not change ends.
3. The puck shall be faced off at centre ice and the play shall continue with a ten-minute sudden victory overtime period.
4. If the score is still tied after the ten-minute sudden victory period, the teams would take the normal between period break and return to play sudden victory periods, in accordance with the length of periods for that particular division. Teams are to change ends only if the referee has ordered a resurfacing of the ice surface.

Week 20 (February 19-February 25): The final week of the GTHL regular season. Teams will see a quick turnaround with playoff games starting as early as February 26th for most groups.

Week 19 (February 12-February 18): The penultimate week of the 2023-2024 GTHL regular season sees 404 regular season games added to the schedule. Playoffs will begin this week for the U14 AAA group. *Posted January 3rd*

Week 18 (February 5-February 11): 428 more games are added to the season’s schedule. *Posted December 21*

Week 17 (January 29-February 4): We enter the month of February and the regular season schedule grows by 400 games as we get closer and closer to post season play. *Posted December 14*

Week 16 (January 22-January 28): This weekend is highlighted by the U18 All-Star Festival and I Play in the G! In the meantime, 413 games are added to the schedule as teams start to gear up for the playoffs. *Posted December 6*

Week 15 (January 15-January 21): Fun week ahead as the always exciting GTHL Top Prospects Game will be played this week, along with 470 total regular season games as we start to inch closer to the post season. Hockey Day in Vaughan also takes place on Saturday January 20th, with 17 Vaughan Rangers teams participating. *Posted November 29*

Week 14 (January 8-January 14): The GTHL schedule grows by 428 games. 75 or so teams using an exemption for tournament travel. *Posted November 22*

Week 13 (January 2-January 7): The calendar flips to 2024 and teams return to action after a week off to enjoy the winter holidays. Another short week with 349 total games on the GTHL regular season schedule. *Posted November 15*

Week 12 (December 18-December 23): A short week gives us a 344 game slate this week as teams get to enjoy a well deserved week off for Winter Break. League games will resume on January 2nd. *Posted November 8*

Week 11 (December 11-December 17): The 465 games scheduled this week is highlighted with a U16/U18 AAA showcase taking place throughout the weekend at Westwood and Chesswood. *Posted November 2*

Week 10 (December 4-December 10): A total of 419 games scheduled this week. The weekend is highlighted by the Vaughan Kings Classic tournament, taking place at Chesswood and Scotiabank Pond. *Posted October 25*

Week 9 (November 27-December 3): The first weekend of December is a busy one with tournaments including the Silver Stick in Vaughan, as well as the Paul Coffey tournament in Etobicoke and Mississauga. As far as GTHL league games go, a typical slate of 420 total games are scheduled for this week. *Posted October 19*

Week 8 (November 20-November 26): This weekend is highlighted by a few big tournaments including the GTHL’s Platinum Cup, Mississauga Rattlers tournament and the Whitby Silver Stick for AAA teams. In addition to that, 442 total league games are scheduled this week. *Posted October 12*

Week 7 (November 13-November 19): The GTHL’s inaugural Movember Moustache Cup “A” tournament highlights this weekend. Otherwise, a typical 431 total games scheduled as we inch closer to December. *Posted October 5th*

Week 6 (November 6th-November 12th): 457 total games scheduled in week 6, with around 100 teams competing in tournaments at some point this week. *Posted September 28th*

Week 5 (October 30th-November 5th): U14 and younger age groups get to go trick or treating on this Halloween Tuesday. Otherwise, status quo with 422 total games scheduled for week 5. *Posted September 21st*

Week 4 (October 23rd-October 29th): Teams settling in with 403 total games scheduled for week 4, with around 80 teams competing in tournaments this week. *Posted September 18th*

Week 3 (October 16th-October 22nd): Week 3 is highlighted by the return of Puck Drop Weekend, with a total of 72 games being played at Canlan York. In total, we have 488 games on the schedule this week. Around 70 teams competing in tournaments throughout this week. *Posted September 13th*

Week 2 (October 9th-October 15th): The A/AA groups join the fun and everybody is off to the races in the 2023-2024 season. 349 total games with about 45 teams away at tournaments throughout this week. *Posted September 7th*

Week 1 (October 2nd-October 8th): The first regular season games of the 2023-2024 season kick off as the AAA group hits the ice to begin a new year. 94 total games to get things started in week 1 of a brand new season.*Posted August 30th*

Season Start Dates for 2023-24
The AAA program begins on October 2nd.  AA and A programs begin on October 10th.

Under 17 & 18 “A” and “AA” Seasonal Breaks
Please note the Under 17 and Under 18 “A” and “AA” programs are scheduled to have no games during the following periods:
January 22nd to January 31^st
March 8^th to March 18^th
These breaks are part of our programming to encourage participation in these age groups.

Winter Break
This season the winter break will be from Dec. 24^th to Jan. 1^st

Tiering for divisions of 15 teams or larger
The GTHL will review the Tiering program for the 2023-2024 season.

Home Days Listed
Scroll down for the latest news on team home days. The chart is a good guide to managing practice days or letting players know which days could be generally open for other interests. Now a big thing to remember is that 80% of our game ice is on weekends. When you and another team find that you are playing a game on a day that is neither team’s home day then you realize the shift in ice scheduling when teams are out of the schedule because of tournament play.

Requesting Time Off, Exemption Use
Please note exemptions as always may be used for what teams feel is important. As always they are used for tournaments but they can be used to block-out dates teams need off such as fundraisers, school trips or religious holidays.
Is your team planning a fundraiser? They can use multiple days to build some time off to plan , enjoy and get some rest after a fundraiser.
Does your team need time off for a religious holiday? They can use it to take time off,
Is there a school trip involving many of the players? You can use an exemption to get that time off.
Each team can decide which three time periods in the season are most important and submit exemptions.

Altered Flood Schedule
Please note, an Altered Flood Schedule will be used in SOME arenas to ensure our game program can be completed within our allotted times.  This takes place when two games from Bantam to Midget are scheduled.
The first game will follow the regular flood schedule with floods before the start of the game and another in-between the second and third period. As soon as that game ends, the second game in the back to back will begin without a flood and play the first period. In-between the first and second period, the only flood of this game will take place and those teams will play the second and third period on the fresh ice.
If the first game did not have a flood due to a five goal spread then we revert to a regular flood schedule in Game #2.

Altered Flood Programs for 2023/24 season: TBD

The format for each group gets set once we have a finalized slate of teams in place. Early in the season the GTHL monitors the size of each group to determine the formats.

Play-Off Formats will be posted once they been finalized.  The GTHL Board and a Member Advisory Council will review timelines to determine play-off formats.
Teams in Under 10 to Under 13 will follow a first round using a round robin format as per the Hockey Canada Pathways.

Click here for more information.

https://gthlcanada.com/2024-gthl-playoff-formats/

Club Home Days 2023-2024 Season
Home Days for clubs for the 2023-2024 season are available. This chart will be updated periodically as home dates are submitted by each club. Click here for Home Days 2023-24

Tournament/Exemption Form 
A tournament form is needed for every tournament you take part in. It acts as an insurance form; it also acts as an exemption form and most importantly if  your team is not in a tournament but needs to be exempted it serves this purpose as well. You can use this form for a non-tournament but please remember it would still count as 1 of 3 exemptions.

The Mulligan? 
Please note that some scheduling changes took place to some of the league schedules in the first three weeks of the schedule. This was related to each club being given one ‘mulligan’ on situations when a team failed to request a schedule exemption. The ‘mulligan’ is a GTHL rule that allows a club to get an exemption after the schedule is released. This year the use of the ‘mulligan’ at the start of the year is a little bit more than usual so please double-check your schedule.

Incorrect Scores
From time to time, a score will be reported incorrectly on the GTHL website. This may be due to an error on the game sheet which is electronically uploaded each day. If you spot an error in the final score, then please contact your club executive to touch base with our office. Corrections will not be made to individual player statistics.

Exhibition Games
All season long… Any time you play an exhibition game you must have your club GM or President submit your game particulars. Your GM needs to know the date, location, time, and opponent. The GTHL’s Central Registry can then be contacted to arrange officials at cr-gthl@bell.net or 905-951-7946. If your team is traveling outside the GTHL boundaries, you must submit the 2023-2024 Exhibition Game Application.

Check out Canlan Ice Sports-York for practice ice throughout the season.

Need extra practice ice? 
Check out Chesswood Arenas or Westwood Arenas for ice time throughout the season.

Looking for extra ice in Mississauga? 
The Mississauga Recreation & Parks Dept. has recently enhanced their “Connet2Rec Communication Channel” to allow visitors the opportunity to check ice time availability at any of the City’s 12 Arenas (20 rinks). To grab some extra ice for your team, please click here.

Ford  Performance Centre Policy on Warming up Off-Ice
Please be aware that playing with pucks, balls, golf balls, balls of tape etc. is not allowed in the dressing rooms or anywhere around the perimeter of our rinks or lobby of the MasterCard Centre.  Failure to comply will result in ejection from the facility. Your co-operation and help with this would be appreciated and would assist in keeping our facility safe and clean.

City of Toronto Policy on Warming Up in the Arena
Please speak to your coaches, parents, officials etc. and let them know that hockey playing with pucks, balls, balls of tape etc. is not allowed in the dressing rooms or any where around the perimeter of our arenas. Any cooperation and help you can give us with this would be appreciated and would assist in keeping our arenas clean.