Wednesday, May 19 – The Greater Toronto Hockey League announced today return to play plans for the upcoming 2021-22 season.
As the 2021-22 season approaches, the GTHL will continue to regularly consult with health experts, including Toronto Public Health and the Hospital for Sick Children Toronto, and will be guided by all necessary public health guidelines.
“We understand our hockey families would like to have some certainty surrounding the opportunity for an upcoming hockey season and we are excited to be working on getting our players back on the ice this fall,” said Scott Oakman, Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of the GTHL. “We are optimistic that hockey activities will resume and we will continue to develop our plans to make sure that is possible as soon as it is safe to do so.”
The GTHL is planning a start date as early as September 7 for House League and learn to play programs, with competitive level tryouts beginning on September 10. The competitive “A,” “AA,” and “AAA” regular season will start on November 1. All competitive level playoffs will begin on March 2.
House League registration will be available as of June 14, with competitive “A,” “AA,” and “AAA” registration taking place with the GTHL between August 1 and September 1. Once players have attended tryouts in September, they can then register with their team and Club. Bench staff registration will open June 21.
Tournament participation will begin as of October 8 for all levels of competition.
The GTHL Game Plan, which includes the health and safety protocols, will be modified to help House Leagues and competitive clubs prepare for the start of the 2021-22 season. The release of the Game Plan 2.0 will take into account health and safety guidelines as the start of the season approaches.
Recognizing the importance of moving forward with a plan, the GTHL has structured the best-case scenario for a fall 2021 start. The 2021-22 Return to Play plan, while developed with space to remain flexible and with the ability to adapt, is contingent upon provincial, public health, and municipality guidelines and restrictions that may be in place as the safety of our players is the highest priority.
The GTHL will be hosting parent information sessions on Tuesday, May 25 at 5pm and Thursday, May 27 at 12pm. To join the sessions, use the below links:
The GTHL encourages players, families, teams, and organizations to remain active while safely supporting the community as everyone eagerly awaits the 2021-22 season. Regular physical activity, volunteering, and acts of kindness are proven to improve mental health in people of all ages. For more information on mental health and wellbeing resources, visit: www.gthlcanada.com/mental-health-supports/
For more information on the 2021-22 Return to Play plan, click here.
About the Greater Toronto Hockey League
Founded in 1911, the GTHL is a non-profit organization and the largest minor hockey league in the world. The GTHL registers more than 40,000 annual participants in Mississauga, Toronto, Markham, and Vaughan. The purpose of the GTHL is to govern organized hockey for youth within its jurisdiction and to foster the development of good character, citizenship, and sportsmanship.
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For more information, please contact:
Stephanie Coratti
Coordinator, Communications and Marketing
Greater Toronto Hockey League
