On October 26 and 27, the Esso Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL) Puck Drop Weekend celebrated the beginning of the 2024-25 hockey season at Canlan York.  

The festival featured 68 games across all competitive levels (‘A,’ ‘AA,’ ‘AAA’) and age groups from Under-10 to U18. 

A proud partner of the NHL, the Toronto Maple Leafs, and a Founding Partner of the Hockey Hall of Fame, the Esso brand harnessed the power of its partnerships to create an unforgettable experience for 136 teams.  

Esso Most Driven Medals, awarded to 136 players throughout the weekend, were a significant part of the celebrations. At the end of each game, one player from each team was selected to receive an Esso Medal. The Most Driven Medal is awarded to the player who best exemplifies the spirit of hockey, making an immeasurable impact on their team’s performance. The Esso Medal winners then had the chance to compete in an on-ice contest for a chance to win one of three sets of tickets to a Maple Leafs game.  

During the special on-ice event on both Saturday and Sunday, hockey influencer Pavel Barber put on a show of his famous hockey skills alongside Coach Jeremy’s helpful tips. Maple Leafs alumni such as Wendel Clark, Darcy Tucker, and Carlo Colaiacovo joined the show both on-ice and in-stands with attendees. 

A star-studded Sunday at #EssoGTHLPuckDrop Weekend 🤩@CarltonTheBear | @16DarcyTucker | @CarloColaiacovo | @HeyBarber | @howtohockey pic.twitter.com/l8xfeQnlnB

— GTHL Hockey (@GTHLHockey) October 27, 2024

In addition to taking in the hardware throughout the Hockey Hall of Fame Exhibit and getting the chance to make a personalized hockey card featuring the Maple Leafs, the GTHL, and the Esso brand, participants could also partake in various contests and giveaways, including T-shirt tosses, Hockey Hall of Fame ticket trivia contests, and more.  

To view the complete gallery from the 2024 Esso GTHL Puck Drop Weekend, CLICK HERE.

ABOUT IMPERIAL OIL  

After more than a century, Imperial continues to be an industry leader in applying technology and innovation to responsibly develop Canada’s energy resources. As Canada’s largest petroleum refiner, a major producer of crude oil, a key petrochemical producer and a leading fuels marketer from coast to coast, our company remains committed to high standards across all areas of our business.   

ABOUT THE GREATER TORONTO HOCKEY LEAGUE 

Founded in 1911, the Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL) is a non-profit organization, home to more than 30 community recreational programs and the largest minor hockey league in the world. The GTHL registers more than 30,000 annual participants in Markham, Mississauga, Toronto, and Vaughan. The purpose of the GTHL is to empower, innovate, and provide hockey experiences that foster growth, inclusion, and excellence for all participants, while providing an enriching, equitable, and inclusive environment that benefits all members and the broader community.