Founders Cup

The tournament operates at the age groups U10 to U16 and competitive levels ‘A’, ‘AA’ and ‘AAA’. Divisions will vary based on registration numbers per division and competitive level.

Tournament format is based on the number of teams that enter within a division.

2026 Founders Cup Round-Robin format by division: TO BE ANNOUNCED

2026 Founders Cup Playoff format can be found here: TO BE ANNOUNCED

Playoffs will be determined by the rankings/results after the Round Robin games. Playoff structure will be determined by the number of teams in each division. Each division MAY have Quarterfinals but at minimum Semi-Finals and a championship game.

Note: If a player is an affiliate with a team that is playing in the same division as their own team for the tournament, the player will not be permitted to play on both teams for the entirety of the tournament, but only their own team.

If two (2) teams are tied in the standings, the following tiebreakers will be used in the order listed below:

1. Head-to-Head winner: If applicable, will be awarded the higher position.
2. Wins: The team with the most wins during the Round Robin shall be awarded the higher position.
3. Best GF/ (GF + GA): If still tied, add the goals for and the goals against together and divide into the goals for. The team with the higher percentage is awarded the higher position. This method shall take into account all of a team’s games in the Round Robin.
4. Least GA: If still tied, the team with the fewest goals against (all Round Robin games played) will gain the highest position.
5. Least PIM: If still tied, the team with the least number of minutes in penalties throughout all of the Round Robin games are awarded the higher position.
6. Scored First: If still tied, the team that scored first in the tournament is awarded the higher position.

Note: The three-team tiebreaker is used to determine the seeding of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd etc. If any step in the tiebreaker only seeds one team, that team assumes that position. The three-team tiebreaker will continue to determine the seeding of the two remaining teams. At no time will teams using this formula go back to the two-team tiebreaker.

1. Most Wins: The team with the most wins shall be awarded the higher position. (Using all games from the Round Robin.)
2. Best GF/ (GF + GA): If still tied, add the goals for and the goals against together and divide into the goals for with the team having the highest percentage being awarded the playoff positions. This method shall take into account all the Round Robin games.

Note: The highest percentage gains the highest position(s). This exercise establishes the team or teams with the highest position(s) by percentage. These teams will advance. If there are still teams tied, they go to the next step. They do not go back to the “Two Team Tiebreaker”.

Example:

1. Team A – .714 = 1 seed – Advances

Team B – .500 = 3 seed – Does not advance

Team C – .650 = 2 seed – Advances

1. Team A – .714 = 1 seed – Advances

Team B – .500 = Still tied with team C – goes to next step

Team C – .500 = Still tied with team B – goes to next step

1. If still tied the team with the fewest goals against (all Round Robin games played) will gain the highest position.
2. If still tied the team with the least number of minutes in penalties throughout all of the Round Robin games is awarded the higher position.
3. If still tied, the team that scored first in the tournament is awarded the higher position.

In Preliminary Round games, all games ending in a tie will remain as such and teams will each be awarded one point (1) in the standings. Ties in the Quarterfinals, Semi-Finals, and Championship Final shall be handled as follows:

1. QF/SF/Finals: One five (5) minute stop time period, 3 skaters plus goaltender, change ends. Sudden victory. Shoot out if necessary.
2. Shootout: A coin toss will decide which team shoots first. Teams select three (3) players each. If there is no winner after the first three shooters, the shootout continues in a best of one set, with each team continuing to alternate attempts and using different players each attempt. The goalie in net must be the one who was in net for the Overtime period. If one team completes its player rotation before the other because it has fewer players, without a winner, both teams will be allowed to revert to their starting sequence and repeat that sequence.

White or light-coloured jerseys will be designated as the Home team colours.

Home teams in playoff games will be chosen based on a team’s seeding for the Quarterfinal games and pre-determined for the Semi-Final and Final games. Should teams require a change of jersey, a coin flip will determine the team requiring to do so. All teams should a light and dark jersey.

Only players, team officials named on the team list and Tournament officials will be permitted in team dressing rooms.

Prior to each game, the ice shall be resurfaced. Teams are to be ready to start the pre-game warm-up when the flood is complete. Once both teams are on the ice, a three-minute warm-up shall begin.

Running time shall occur from the start of the third period onward if the spread in the score is five goals or more at any time. If the spread in the score reverts to a three-goal difference, the game clock shall return to stop-time. Running time will resume if the score again becomes a five-goal spread.

Each game, teams shall be permitted to take one (1) time-out of thirty (30) seconds during regular playing time or overtime. Teams may use their one (1) time-out in any Round Robin or Playoff Game.

Prior to the start of the tournament, each participating team had to submit the following documents:

1. Travel Permit Document
2. Approved Hockey Canada Roster
3. Affiliated players roster (GTHL/MHL)

If a team is unable to provide these documents prior to the start of the tournament, the team MUST present the missing documents to the Tournament Registrar at least 1-hour prior to the team’s first game.

These documents are required in order to confirm the eligibility of each player or the team’s ability to participate in the tournament.

Teams must be ready to play at least 15 minutes prior to scheduled game time.

One (1) Team Official must check-in with a GTHL Rink Attendant (RA) to do the following:

1. Resolve any potential sweater conflicts
2. Fill out the gamesheet
3. Payment of gamesheet fees

CLICK HERE

At the end of the game, teams shall leave the ice and retire to their dressing rooms. For all teams, equipment may not be stored at the arena.  

Failure to submit/complete payment of game fees will result in the game being paused until payment is completed and or forfeited.

The 2025-26 GTHL Minimum Suspension List will be in use throughout the tournament.

Decisions made by the Tournament Staff are final and cannot be appealed.

On-ice decisions by referees including penalties cannot be changed, adjusted or modified by Tournament Staff.

If a team is registered into the Founders Cup then advances past the first round of the playoffs, payment is refunded without penalty.

In all other circumstances:

If a withdrawal request is made seven (7) days before the tournament start date, 70% of the registration fee will be refunded.

If a withdrawal request is made after playing one game, 50% of the registration fee will be refunded.

If a withdrawal is requested 72 hours before a scheduled game, default game fees will apply in addition to withdrawal fees. See GTHL Rulebook – Rule: 9.14 – Defaulted Games.

If a withdrawal request is made after the second game played, no refund will be made.

*All refunds will be issued via original method of payment.

Teams will be responsible for paying game sheet fees to the GTHL Rink Attendants prior to the beginning of each game. There are no gate fees.