For many families, the idea of signing up for hockey can feel overwhelming. From equipment and registration to learning how the season works, the game can sometimes feel unfamiliar from the outside. The Hockey Starts Here initiative helped change that.
Launched by the Mississauga Hockey League (MHL) as a pilot initiative in partnership with Hockey Canada, Hockey Starts Here was designed to introduce new families to the game in a relaxed, welcoming, and informative environment. Rather than asking families to commit to a full season right away, the one-evening event created space for participants to experience hockey firsthand, ask questions, and learn more about what the sport can offer.
“What we’re trying to do is help families understand the game,” Greg Rapier, President of the MHL Board of Directors, shared. “We’re going to spend time teaching them some of the basics about hockey […]. We’re also going to explain to them how our league operates, what does the season look like, how many games, practices, and how much fun the kids can have ultimately, if they join and play with us.”
The pilot initiative drew significant interest from across the region, with 110 individuals on the initial sign-up list. Families expressed interest from as far east as Ajax and as far west as Kitchener, with the majority of attendees coming from Mississauga and surrounding communities including Brampton, Milton, and Oakville. Approximately 70 to 80 individuals and their families attended the event.
The evening gave participants the opportunity to step onto the ice, connect with local association representatives, and learn more about the sport in a low-pressure setting. For families who may not have felt comfortable signing up for a full season, the event offered a true “come try” experience.
“The number one dream result we want is we’d love to have 100 new hockey players — or maybe even more if there’s multiple kids in the families,” shared Rapier.
A major part of the event’s success was the program support from Hockey Canada, combined with the tireless work of the two MHL associations that took on the pilot project. From the Applewood Coyotes, Luis Cordeiro and Mark Zizek played key roles in supporting the event, while Dave Martin and Joe Indovina helped lead the Heartland Dragons’ involvement. Together with their extended volunteer groups, both associations helped create a positive and informative experience for all families in attendance.
The event helped remove some of the mystery and perception around hockey for families who had not previously experienced the sport. By encouraging open conversation and providing clear information, volunteers, and association representatives helped families better understand what hockey can look like at the community level.
“When you’re playing at the recreational level, it’s a really affordable sport and that’s what we want them to know,” Rapier continued. “It’s fun, affordable, friendships will be fantastic, and the life skills they’ll learn will be amazing.”
For many attendees, the evening was also an opportunity to take part in a Canadian experience that may have once felt out of reach. The welcoming approach made space for families to explore the game, ask questions, and decide whether hockey could be part of their future.
“What they learn in this game carries on into school, carries on into college and university, and carries on into the work life,” Rapier said. “They learn teamwork, they learn how to get along with each other, they learn how to make friends. They build a fantastic community.”
While the event marked an exciting first step, it’s only the beginning. The success of the Hockey Starts Here pilot initiative demonstrates the importance of creating accessible entry points for families who are curious about hockey but may not know where to begin.
Leagues and associations across the game have an opportunity to build on this model by offering similar introductory events that focus on comfort, conversation, and community. By opening the doors in a relaxed and supportive way, hockey can continue to reach more families and welcome new participants to the sport.
The MHL plans to run a similar event in the fall, continuing its efforts to promote hockey and give families across Mississauga the opportunity to experience the game firsthand.
Through Hockey Starts Here, families were reminded that hockey doesn’t have to begin with a full-season commitment. Sometimes, it starts with a conversation, a pair of skates, and a welcoming first step onto the ice.
