Responses from 730 parents/guardians highlight the positive impact of minor hockey, identify opportunities for improvement, and reinforce priorities currently being advanced through the GTHL’s Strategic Plan and ongoing initiatives.
TORONTO, ON – The Greater Toronto Hockey League has released findings from its 2026 Family Survey, providing valuable insight into the experiences of hockey families while supporting the League’s ongoing commitment to building a more positive, inclusive, and accessible hockey environment. The survey – conducted in the summer months following the 2025-26 season – received responses from 730 parents/guardians, representing approximately 950 children participating in GTHL hockey (including house league, select, A, AA, and AAA levels). The findings highlight the positive role hockey continues to play in the lives of young participants while identifying areas where families believe the experience can be improved.
The feedback builds on years of consultation and engagement with the GTHL community, which have helped shape the League’s strategic direction and guide initiatives focused on improving the game both on and off the ice.
Families continue to recognize the importance of hockey beyond competition. When asked why their children participate, respondents most frequently identified fun and enjoyment (63.3 per cent), physical activity (57.6 per cent), and life skills and character development (57.1 per cent).
Parents also rated hockey’s impact on their children’s physical health, friendships, confidence, and mental health positively, reinforcing the important role minor hockey plays in youth development and community connection.
At the same time, the survey identified challenges and opportunities that continue to shape the experience of GTHL participants.
The cost of hockey remained the most frequently cited potential barrier to continued participation, identified by 51.1 per cent of respondents to that question. Families also identified improved parent behaviour and sportsmanship (38.7 per cent), improved refereeing (37.9 per cent), and a greater emphasis on development over winning (37.4 per cent) among the leading opportunities to improve their hockey experience.
While most respondents indicated their children feel safe within their teams (approximately 79 per cent choosing 4 or 5 on a five-point safety scale), some families reported experiences involving disrespect (30.7 per cent), exclusion (26 per cent), or intimidation (22.8 per cent), highlighting the ongoing importance of positive hockey environments and accountability.
These findings reinforce the need to continue strengthening the hockey experience across all levels of participation, from House League through to competitive (A, AA, and AAA) hockey.
Listening to families and responding to their experiences has been an important part of the GTHL’s work for several years. Beginning with the League’s Transition Game initiatives and its 2021-24 Strategic Plan, the GTHL established a commitment to creating a more child-centred game, striving to strengthen hockey culture, improve inclusion, and support the development of participants both on and off the ice.
That work continues through the GTHL’s 2025-2028 Strategic Plan, developed in consultation with the hockey community and built around four pillars: Trust, Belonging, Achievement, and Growth.
Together, these commitments establish a framework for improving transparency and accountability, strengthening safe and welcoming environments, enhancing development opportunities, and creating greater access to the game. The GTHL’s progress in advancing these priorities, along with the initiatives and improvements undertaken each season, can be explored through the League’s Annual Reports, available here.
The priorities identified in the 2026 Family Survey align closely with this direction, demonstrating the importance of continuing to put these commitments into practice.
“Families have been helping shape the direction of our League for years, and this survey reinforces why that ongoing dialogue is so important,” said Scott Oakman, Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of the GTHL. “Our Strategic Plans and strategy reflect a commitment to listening, learning, and making meaningful improvements. We know there are areas where we need to continue to do better.”
“Our surveys are an important area to listen, share what we heard, and identify where we can do better,” Oakman added. “We want families to know their feedback has mattered, and will continue to matter, even when it challenges us.”
The GTHL has continued to advance initiatives and partnerships designed to address many of the priorities consistently raised by hockey families. Supporting positive player experiences and development remains another important priority. Throughout the 2025-26 season, the GTHL continued to expand development opportunities across the game, including two Development Days, its first-ever all-girls Development Day, and 47 pathway development skill sessions reaching 778 participants. These efforts, alongside ongoing coaching education and officiating development initiatives that saw 981 officials certified, reflect the League’s continued investment in supporting players, coaches, and officials at every level.
Through community partnerships and educational programs such as Talk Today, the GTHL is also working to promote mental health awareness, strengthen support systems, and foster positive hockey environments both on and off the ice.
The League has also continued work to strengthen governance, accountability, and program transparency, alongside ongoing efforts to promote respectful, inclusive, and supportive hockey environments.
As the GTHL continues through the 2026-27 season under its Built Together theme, the League remains focused on strengthening the hockey experience through shared responsibility, collaboration, and continued engagement with its community.
The 2026 Family Survey provides another opportunity to evaluate progress, identify areas requiring greater attention, and ensure the experiences and perspectives of families continue to inform the League’s direction.
The GTHL will continue to use the findings to help inform discussions with its Board of Directors, Member organizations, and staff about participant experience, development opportunities, respectful hockey environments, and access to the game. Findings will also be shared through the GTHL website and social media channels.
ABOUT THE SURVEY
The 2026 GTHL Family Survey received responses from 730 parents/guardians, representing approximately 950 children across multiple levels of minor hockey. The number of responses varied by question. Findings reflect the experiences and perceptions of participating respondents and should not be interpreted as statistically representative of all GTHL families. Percentages for questions allowing multiple selections do not total 100 per cent.
ABOUT THE GREATER TORONTO HOCKEY LEAGUE
Founded in 1911, the Greater Toronto Hockey League is a non-profit organization and the largest minor hockey league in the world. The GTHL registers more than 30,000 annual participants across 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.
Media Contact
Stephanie Coratti
Director, Strategy and Communications
Greater Toronto Hockey League
