This statement is in response to today’s article by TSN’s Rick Westhead. The Greater Toronto Hockey League believes that there is important information that is not contained in the reporting related to Mr. Aliu declining an opportunity for the Hockey Diversity Alliance (HDA) to partner with the GTHL and his decision to decline the opportunity to operate a Member organization in the GTHL.
Beginning in April of 2021, the GTHL began discussions with Akim Aliu, representing the HDA. The GTHL and the HDA both recognized the shared goals of providing greater opportunities for kids to play hockey, particularly kids from under-represented and disadvantaged communities.
The GTHL Board and GTHL Members fully endorsed a partnership with the HDA in August of 2021. The GTHL made several offers to the HDA that included membership opportunities in the League as well as collaborations on outreach programs.
To date, the GTHL and the HDA have been unable to secure an agreement. The barrier to a partnership remains the desire of Mr. Aliu to also operate a new GTHL organization at the competitive levels of “A,” “AA,” and “AAA.” This organization would be a separate organization from the HDA, to be referred to as the Toronto Dream (TD).
In August 2022, Mr. Aliu brought it to the GTHL’s attention that he had the opportunity to take over the operation of an existing GTHL House League and competitive (“A” and “AA”) organization. The GTHL advised Mr. Aliu that he would have the support of the GTHL Board with this transfer of control. Unfortunately, Mr. Aliu stipulated that he was only prepared to operate this organization if the GTHL would make guarantees to him of getting “AAA” teams.
The GTHL never participated in, nor did Mr. Aliu ever indicate to the GTHL that any discussion between him and any GTHL Members involving him taking control of an organization included any financial remuneration being sought by the outgoing executive members.
An analysis of the current system of competitive hockey in the GTHL, and the current population base of participants clearly demonstrate that there are too many existing teams to ensure the best experience for players, specifically when striving for and maintaining an appropriate competitive balance. Many of the GTHL’s existing teams are currently struggling to be reasonably competitive. The significant competitive imbalance has several negative impacts on players’ experience and safety. Therefore, adding any new competitive teams – specifically at the “A,” “AA,” and “AAA” level – at the time of the League’s last offer to Mr. Aliu in August 2022 would only have exacerbated that problem. The GTHL was not prepared to make immediate guarantees to add a new organization at the “AAA” level at that time, as it would not have been a responsible approach. However, if the collective efforts of a partnership between HDA and the GTHL were to achieve the expected outcomes of increasing children and youth participating in hockey, adding an additional “AAA” Club may have become feasible – a potential outcome that was noted within the GTHL, HDA, and TD discussions.
Registration in non-traditional hockey programs, especially those focused on growing the game is increasing. These types of programs are working. The GTHL’s and its Members’ priority have to be offering programs that bring new players and families to the game, with less of a focus on competitive hockey, particularly at the “AAA” level.
The GTHL and its Members have established other partnerships with organizations that share these same goals and objectives. Furthermore, the League will continue to form additional partnerships, especially with those who are striving to introduce new players to the game.
The GTHL continues to believe that the League and the HDA are largely aligned with mutual goals of making hockey more accessible at the grassroots level, while eliminating racism and discrimination in hockey. This is hard work that requires an intentional, ongoing commitment, and will take time. It is only the specific terms of the request by the Toronto Dream for the immediate guarantee of new competitive-level teams at the “AAA” level to play in the GTHL where there is a current barrier to finalizing a mutually beneficial partnership.
The GTHL believes that immediately moving forward with 90 percent of what has already been agreed to in principle, with a commitment to reviewing the competitive team component as participation in the HDA grows, would be a great success – not only for the League and the HDA but for minor hockey in the Greater Toronto Area as a whole.
In closing, the GTHL continues to be disappointed that Mr. Aliu’s desire to operate his own competitive “AAA” hockey club – Toronto Dream – is the sole barrier preventing the GTHL and HDA from working together. The League believes working together is vitally important to improving access and opportunity to play hockey for all children and youth in the Greater Toronto Area.
The GTHL remains ready, willing, and able to work with all partners who have a shared vision for a game that is diverse, inclusive, and free from all forms of discrimination.
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 Markham, Mississauga, Toronto and Vaughan. The purpose of the GTHL is to govern organized hockey for youth within its jurisdiction, and to foster participation that reflects the cultural demographic of the League’s territory while promoting an environment that is welcoming and inclusive for all participants.
For more information, please contact:
Stephanie Coratti | Senior Manager, Communications and Marketing
Greater Toronto Hockey League
SCoratti@GTHLCanada.com
