About Us

Mission

The Competitive Development Stream program is designed to give our youngest players a fun, comprehensive and age-appropriate hockey development experience in accordance with the Hockey Canada and Ontario Hockey Federation (OHF) Player Development Model.

This program was developed by four neighbouring hockey associations (Forest Hill, Leaside, North Toronto and North York Knights) with the additional goal of providing players and their families with a more consistent, time-efficient hockey schedule primarily on local rinks in our communities. For the 2022-2023 season, in addition to the 4 founding clubs we have the Scarborough Hockey Association and Seaside Hockey. A total of approximately 34 teams will compete across three age divisions for the 2022-2023 season 

In 2021 clubs in Western Toronto formed a sister league called Competitive Development Program (CDP), which includes Faustina, George Bell, Humber Valley, Streetsville, Warren Park, West Mall. When Tiers require additional competition/variety games are arranged between CDS and CDP clubs, these are mostly on weekends to allow more time for travel.

ORGANIZATION 

The CDS program is an extension of House League and is available to all registered 6, 7, and 8 year-old players (U7, U8, and U9) on a tryout basis.

This program is sanctioned by the GTHL and the operations are managed by Board executives and volunteers from the member clubs who oversee budgeting, scheduling, tiering, planning and coordination of the league.

Each member club is responsible for their own teams as follows:

· Player registration, tryouts, and roster approvals.

· Parents/team official approvals and certifications.

· Management and collection of tournament/exhibition approval forms.

SEASON STRUCTURE

CDS Teams will play approximately 10 games in the Fall Season and 10 games in the Winter Season a rate of approximately one game per week in a balanced schedule rotating among the different member rinks. (Divisions with odd numbers of teams may occasionally get game byes as required.) Teams will also participate in tournaments outside of the CDS program. An end-of season Festival will bring together all teams for a weekend celebration of fun and games in April. 

Early-season schedule for each Season will be released 2 weeks in advance followed by the remainder of the fall season schedule once tiering is confirmed after a couple games. Tiering is tweaked for the Winter season and the Winter schedule is released in mid-December.

TOURNAMENTS & EXHIBITION GAMES

Teams will be allowed 3 in-season tournament exemptions. An unlimited number of exhibition games may be played provided they do not conflict with any scheduled CDS League games. 

Teams may participate in the Leaside Tournament if invited.

In order for the schedule to be released, tournament exemptions must be submitted by the dates listed on the key dates page.

EXHIBITION SERIES

In order to facilitate a wider diversity of competitive opportunity, the CDS schedule for some Tiers will contain one game slot assigned to a team but with no assigned opponent.

Individual teams are responsible to secure non-CDS opponents for these slots (from the NYHL, OMHA or other leagues).  The understanding is that the visiting teams will reciprocate with a home game slot at some point on their own ice (but not in conflict with regularly scheduled CDS games).

All regular CDS officials will be provided and paid for within your league fees so this would be treated like a regular CDS game with the exception that you need to find a team to play against.

Should you require assistance finding an opponent please reach out to your Organizations CDS Coordinator to either provide suggestions or we could even find a CDS team able to play you in that game.

If playing teams from outside of CDS an exhibition permission form must be submitted via your clubs existing process.

COMPOSITION OF TEAMS AND SUBSTITUTIONS

• Only registered House League players may be rostered on CDS teams.

• Players must play in their birth-year division unless otherwise approved by the GTHL.

• Each member club may enter any number of teams into each age division as long as minimum roster sizes are maintained. (Hybrid teams consisting of players from different member clubs are permitted subject to agreement of all members clubs.)

• Teams in U7 and U8 should consist of 18 rostered players which in games allows for 16 skaters and 2 goalies. (Goalies rotate in U7 and may be designated in U8).

• Teams in U9 should consist of at least 16 players and up to 18 players.

• The minimum roster size for entry into the program is 16 players.

The minimum roster size for games is 16 players although teams are strongly encouraged to add players as required to reach 18 players as follows:

• Roster players who are missing for games may be replaced by any House League player registered in the affected team's’ age division or from any other CDS teams in the same age division. However, coaches must only make substitutions that are in the spirit of fair play and are developmentally appropriate. 

• (Such substitutions are meant to be temporary arrangements so that teams have enough players to properly carry out a game.)

• If for any reason both teams are short a significant number of players, the coaches may agree to play one or both game sides 3 v 3 with a goalie instead of 4 v 4 with a goalie. Full ice games may also be played 4 v 4 if numbers warrant. 

TEAM OFFICIALS

Each team may roster as many officials as desired but the staff should include the minimum four officials as follows: Head Coach, Manager, Trainer, Assistant Coach.

Each member club must ensure that all team staff are properly rostered with the required credentials, including:

• Respect in Sport Activity Leader Certification

• Gender Expression and Identity Online Course Certification

• Vulnerable Sector Screening clearance (Police Check)

• Rowan’s Law Acknowledgement

Each team must have a rostered official certified as a Trainer (who may also be a coach). The trainer will possess a first aid kit on the bench. Each Trainer must have a valid HTCP certification or present proof of certification in the following professions: physicians, nurses, paramedics, firefighters or other first responders, first aid instructors, police officers.

It should be noted that for most U7 games, at least 2 coaches will need to be on the ice supervising their players so it is in the interests of each team to roster a sufficient number of coaches. 2 coaches are the minimum required on ice and 4 or potentially more on ice is recommended, especially early in the season when the players are getting used to the game format.

To see additional info go to -> Rules and GamePlay