The GTHL was proud to welcome the Korean Elementary Ice Hockey Association (KEIHA) back to Toronto this January for their second visit — a 10-day hockey experience built around training, competition, and community connection.
The KEIHA is a South Korean organization focused on developing young hockey talent, frequently touring internationally to compete at at high-level (AA and AAA) youth levels.
From their arrival on January 12 to their departure on January 22, the U13 ‘AA’ KEIHA team immersed themselves in a full Canadian hockey schedule. As GTHL General Manager Peter Kourtis shared, “They wanted a hockey experience in Canada.” And that’s exactly what the League worked to deliver — on and off the ice.
Over the course of the visit, the KEIHA team took part in structured practices and off-ice training sessions led by Paragenix, while also getting the chance to test themselves against local competition.
“The GTHL sets up practices, off ice training, and the games,” Kourtis said, noting the focus was on creating a complete development experience while showcasing what minor hockey can look like when communities collaborate.
A highlight of the trip was a trio of exhibition games against GTHL teams, including the Toronto East Enders Ticats, Greater Toronto Capitals, and the Mississauga Terriers.
The KEIHA team also competed in the Toronto Aeros tournament, adding another layer of competition and excitement to an already packed itinerary.
Just as meaningful were the opportunities to experience hockey culture across the city. The team attended an Ontario Hockey League game watching the Oshawa Generals in action, and capped off their stay at Scotiabank Arena for a Toronto Maple Leafs game on January 21.
While the schedule was busy, the most lasting impact may have come from the connections made throughout the trip — including the chance for Korean families and youth in the Toronto area to see players who travelled across the world for the sport.
“Korean kids in the Toronto area saw kids travel all the way here — maybe they don’t play hockey but they did come out and they got to see them play and that might open their eyes [to the game],” said Kourtis.
For the GTHL, visits like this are about more than hosting games — they’re about growing the sport through shared experiences and building bridges between hockey communities.
“You can grow the game here in Toronto, by helping grow the game in Korea,” Kourtis added.
He also emphasized how important it is for Canadian players to recognize the global reach of the sport — and the responsibility that comes with being part of it.
“I think it also shows our kids in Canada that hockey is not exclusive to us. That’s where kids, coaches, myself included as an administrator — I want to share the sport, I don’t want to own it,” Kourtis said. “That’s a big step when we can show everyone, there’s a lot more to the world of hockey than Canada.”
At its core, this partnership reflects the GTHL’s belief that leadership in hockey means helping others build, not telling them how to operate.
“The GTHL’s job isn’t to run everyone’s leagues, it’s to support them. We’d love to support other communities that want to be part of our umbrella,” said Kourtis.
As KEIHA headed home on January 22, they left with new experiences, new friendships, and a deeper connection to the game — and the GTHL looks forward to continuing to build a relationship that benefits all players and communities.
