Bauer Hockey, Hockey Canada research shows growing the game is achievable
Pilot programs announced to Grow the Game while delivering fun and convenience
Launched in 2012, Grow the Game is a global initiative to add 1 million new players to the game of hockey by 2022, with Canada serving as the starting point of those efforts. Hockey in Canada has experienced low participation growth rates over the last few years, and today approximately 90 per cent of Canadian families and their children choose not to play hockey.
“We’re starting in Canada because it’s home to not only a deep hockey heritage, but it’s also where Bauer Hockey was founded in 1927,” said Kevin Davis, president and CEO of Bauer Performance Sports. “Some might say our goal is too bold, but the research shows that non-hockey families view the sport positively, and many would ‘definitely’ consider enrolling their kids. With these findings, our focus now turns to breaking down perceived barriers.”
Bauer Hockey and Hockey Canada commissioned an independent research initiative to better understand the considerations and barriers for non-hockey families and their children, as they decide to play different sports. The findings from the survey show that 73 per cent of non-hockey families would consider enrolling their child in the future, and nearly 40 per cent said they would “definitely” consider enrolling their child.
Even as Canada’s demographics are changing, new Canadians are engaged in the sport, with nearly two-thirds of families saying they would consider enrolling their child in hockey and 20 per cent saying they would “definitely” consider enrolling.
The perceived barriers
In addition to the positive signs for growth, the research provided an in-depth look at the perceived barriers for those who have decided not to enroll their children in hockey. These barriers were consistent across regions and demographics and include:
Hockey is not perceived as fun
Non-hockey families do not perceive hockey as a “fun” sport. Nearly every other sport in this research, such as soccer and baseball, was described as “fun” by respondents.
Perceived time commitment
Many parents cited too much required travel and a commitment of three days per week as a significant concern. Parents cited a need for options beyond one-size-fits-all, similar to the range of choices offered in other sports, for kids who want less time commitment.
Perceived safety
Many parents do not perceive the sport as safe for their children to play, including a risk of concussion and a belief that the game promotes violent behavior.
Perceived affordability
Although entry-level players can get on the ice at an affordable cost with the appropriate equipment for their skill level, parents cited the high costs of enrollment fees and equipment as perceived barriers.
“Hockey is a fun sport and through this exciting new initiative, Hockey Canada and Bauer Hockey want to ensure youngsters have opportunities to get on the ice and give it a try,” said Paul Carson, vice-president of hockey development for Hockey Canada. “By eliminating barriers preventing access to the sport, more girls and boys will be able to try hockey and have a fun, safe and positive experience, with the ultimate goal of growing our sport across the country and around the globe.”
The pilot programs to overcome barriers
To overcome these perceived barriers, Bauer Hockey and Hockey Canada announced the creation of pilot programs that will launch this fall in both Ontario and Nova Scotia. The programs, which will take place in Hamilton and Scarborough, Ont., as well as Halifax and East Hants, N.S., were designed to be fun, affordable and convenient. The pilot programs will focus on the following aspects in an attempt to begin breaking down the perceived barriers to entry.
A fun experience: Bauer, Hockey Canada and local governing bodies will host fun enrollment days for parents and kids, and provide informational materials on safety in the game, including the importance of equipment fit and educating parents on gear, the game and more.
Convenience: These six-week sessions will meet for one hour once a week, which keeps the commitment to a minimum and allows for participation in other activities.
Improved communication: Locally marketed to reach non-hockey families and to communicate fun, safety, convenience and affordability.
Affordability: Enrollment and equipment will be bundled together at a $100 cost.
After these programs are launched, tested and re-evaluated, they will be expanded into other regions to help grow the game.
Hockey Hall of Famer Mark Messier will assist Bauer Hockey and Hockey Canada in their efforts to attract additional players to the sport. Messier, who joined forces with Bauer Hockey last year following the company’s acquisition of Cascade Sports, has been deeply committed to growing the game and has been a vocal advocate for increasing participation and safety.
“I’m excited about the opportunity to continue working with Bauer Hockey and Hockey Canada to help take down these barriers and bring more people to our game, which is both fun and teaches valuable life lessons,” Messier said. “Along with the change in family lifestyles, the game of hockey has also changed. Kids need the opportunity to experience a variety of sports growing up, and it is our responsibility to offer our game in a way that is affordable, requires a reasonable commitment level, and most importantly, demonstrates how much fun hockey is for kids and families.”
ABOUT BAUER HOCKEY
Bauer Hockey is the world’s most recognized designer, marketer and manufacturer of hockey equipment. Founded in Kitchener, Ontario in 1927, Bauer Hockey developed the first skate with a blade attached to a boot, forever changing the game of hockey. Since then, Bauer Hockey has continued to develop the most sought after products in the industry, including the widely successful SUPREME®, VAPOR® and NEXUS® lines of products. Bauer Performance Sports Ltd., the parent company of Bauer Hockey, is a publicly-traded company on the Toronto Stock Exchange whose affiliates market products under the BAUER, MISSION, MAVERIK, CASCADE, INARIA and COMBAT brand names. For more information, visit Bauer Hockey’s website at www.BAUER.com.
ABOUT HOCKEY CANADA
Hockey Canada is the governing body for hockey in Canada and a member of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), with a membership through its 13 provincial branch associations of over 700,000 players, coaches and officials. Hockey Canada is a not-for-profit organization that creates leading-edge hockey development programs for its members to deliver in communities across Canada, provides consistent rules and regulations and various other membership services from coast to coast, manages numerous regional, national and international hockey championships and events, and leads the operation of all teams that represent Canada in international hockey competition. Hockey Canada’s mission is to “lead, develop and promote positive hockey experiences.”
MEDIA INQUIRIES
Tory Mazzola
Global Communications Manager
Bauer Hockey
Phone: 603-430-2111
[email protected]
Francis Dupont
Manager, Media Relations and Communications
Hockey Canada
Phone: 403-777-4564
[email protected]
SportsPay becomes Exclusive Payment Provider of Hockey Canada
Expanded partnership begins with the 2025-26 season
CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada has announced an expanded partnership with SportsPay that will see the organization become the Exclusive Payment Partner for all transactions involving the Hockey Canada Registry (HCR), which is recognized as the premier system for hockey registration and management in Canada.
Most recently Hockey Canada’s Preferred Payment Partner, SportsPay facilitates seamless and secure online transactions and provides a smooth payment experience for its users while using the HCR.
“The Hockey Canada Registry processes hundreds of thousands of registrations for participants across the country each season, and the expansion of our partnership with SportsPay will ensure that the user experience for our participants and associations continues to be world-class,” said Jesse Albers, vice-president of operations for Hockey Canada. “We appreciate SportsPay’s longstanding commitment to supporting amateur hockey in Canada and look forward to working together for many years to come.”
A leading payment provider for amateur sports organizations in Canada, SportsPay was also a proud supporter of the Beyond the Boards Summit in November 2024, which examined outcomes of unhealthy hockey culture.
To learn more about Hockey Canada, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along through social media on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.
Building a coaching community
Nazia and Yasmeen, love hockey, but recent connections through coaching have given the mother and daughter an even deeper sense of community in Mississauga
Despite growing up around the game, Nazia Khan never considered coaching a minor hockey team. Even when her own children started playing and her daughter’s coach suggested it, Khan still thought it was out of the question. Coaching was only for hockey dads, right?
“Even if I was [already] a hockey mom, I don’t look like the typical hockey mom,” laughs Khan, while adjusting her hijab.
Born in Toronto to a French-Canadian mother and South Asian father, Khan started playing hockey around age 12 with the Mississauga Girls Hockey League (MGHL). She never faced any discrimination because of her background while playing, but while reflecting on her own hockey journey, she realized she never had any women as coaches. That made Khan reconsider her position; maybe coaching could (and should) be for hockey moms, too.
“As soon as I started [coaching], I adored it,” Khan says. “I was connecting with the girls and they were so excited to have a female coach.
“I feel like it was impactful for the girls, but it was also impactful for me.”
Yasmeen Rizkana, Khan’s eldest daughter, agreed that the first year her mother coached was very meaningful. But it was also one of her more challenging seasons.
“She was going extra hard on me [as her daughter] and I think that helped me get a lot better that year,” Rizkana says with a smile. “But to this date, she’s one of the best goalie coaches I’ve ever had.”
After a few years of taking on goalie and assistant coach positions, Khan was thrust into a head coaching role when her youngest daughter’s coach left the team because of work. At that point Khan knew she should continue her own coaching education.
Since this was during the COVID-19 pandemic, Khan was able to explore her options online and came across We Are Coaches.
“I saw there was no cost and it was women only, so I thought why not give it a try … and I loved it,” Khan recalls. “I had felt inadequate going the first time because I felt I didn’t know anything but then I heard [from other women that] ‘I had to step up even though I never played hockey and didn’t even know how to skate.’
“And just hearing that there’s a collective of female coaches who want to get better and want to learn, that’s just so huge.”
The We Are Coaches program was created to support and sustain the number of girls and women in hockey, specifically by increasing the number of trained women coaches in the game. Funded by the Hockey Canada Foundation, it is free of charge for participants. Most importantly, it is run by women.
Khan enjoyed her first experience with We Are Coaches so much, she sought out in-person clinics when the IIHF Women’s World Championship came to Brampton in 2023. And now, as an executive member of the MGHL, Khan is working with Hockey Canada to bring the program to Mississauga to encourage more trained women coaches in the game, especially as her own daughters continue to grow in it.
“I’ve talked to some of the coaches that we have, and they all think it will be so good,” Khan says. “I would take these twice…I’m so excited to see what it looks like when we put it together.”
Rizkana also hopes she can be a force for change, encouraging more people with non-traditional hockey backgrounds into the game. Her father is originally from Egypt and didn’t know much about the game until Rizkana and her siblings started playing. But he still supported her through a chance to represent Egypt at the Dreams Nations Cup in New Jersey last year.
“That experience helped me realize [my teammates and I were] breaking down
barriers,” Rizkana says. “It wasn’t just about the cool experience and what
we accomplished for ourselves, it was about being role models for future
generations and encouraging more young girls to start playing hockey.”
The international play also motivated Rizkana to continue pushing for her own hockey goals, which include post-secondary and professional aspirations. But she would also be happy as a builder within the game.
“Even if I can’t make a career out of it, I hope that I can actually make a career for younger girls, if they want it,” Rizkana says.
And with Khan and Rizkana helping to grow the game and build community, there will certainly be plenty of options for other women and girls in the game.
Officials selected for U18 national club championships
28 referees and linespersons to work Esso Cup and TELUS Cup
Officials from across the country are ready to take the ice for Canada’s U18 national club championships. Twenty-eight officials – 14 referees and 14 linespersons – have been selected by Hockey Canada for the Esso Cup and TELUS Cup.
2025 Esso Cup officials
The officials for the 2025 Esso Cup in Lloydminster, Alberta, were drawn from the Women’s Officiating Program of Excellence. Officials attended development camps and received ongoing mentorship in their Member programs, and were evaluated by national officiating coaches prior to the final selection.
“The Esso Cup is a great opportunity for these officials to finish the season with a national championship,” says Dan Hanoomansingh, manager of officiating with Hockey Canada. “These officials have challenged themselves throughout the season and faced stiff competition to be selected for this prestigious event.”
Referees
• Lindsey Ducharme (Hockey Alberta) • Emily Hill (Hockey Alberta) • Jenna Leighton (Hockey Nova Scotia) • Daphnée Lemay (Hockey Quebec) • Tori Pirruccio (Ontario Women’s Hockey Association) • Jillian Purcell (Hockey New Brunswick) • Kaitlyn Sauser (Hockey Saskatchewan)
Linespersons
• Megan French (Hockey Alberta) • Carley Jewell (Ontario Women’s Hockey Association) • Josée Martin (Hockey New Brunswick) • Taylor Pearson (Hockey Saskatchewan) • Leah Rideout (Hockey Nova Scotia) • Shadei Saadé (Hockey Quebec) • Coby Sullivan (Ontario Women’s Hockey Association)
The officiating coaches for the Esso Cup are Ashley Desjardins (Winnipeg, MB) and Theresa Llorente (Toronto, ON).
2025 TELUS Cup officials
The officials chosen for the 2025 TELUS Cup in Chilliwack, B.C., are part of BC Hockey’s High Performance Officiating Program. They have undergone a lengthy identification and evaluation process by BC Hockey throughout the season, with several of these officials attending Hockey Canada Officiating Program of Excellence camps.
“The TELUS Cup is a once-in-a-career opportunity for the officials of the host Member program,” says Hanoomansingh. “These officials have worked hard and competed all year from U18 AAA to Major Junior, and earned their selection to the national championship.”
Referees
• Jakob Brandstrom • Jagjit Cheema • Caden Fanshaw • Trey Hucalak • Bryce Manders • Malcolm Simpson • Kai Walsh
Linespersons
• Jeff Dayton • Ryder Fabian • Nick Gillam • Aidan Hitchmough • Isaac La Roy • Nishan Mahal • Jack McNabb
The officiating coaches for the TELUS Cup are Ron Dietterle (Aldergrove, BC) and Josh Smith (Blackfalds, AB).
Officials selected for 2025 U SPORTS hockey championships
26 officials to work men’s and women’s tournaments
Twenty-six officials – 13 referees and 13 linespersons – have been selected by Hockey Canada to work the men’s and women’s U SPORTS national championships.
The tournaments will run concurrently from March 20-23, with the men’s University Cup taking place in Ottawa, Ontario, and the Women’s Hockey Championship on the ice in Elmira, Ontario.
“Hockey Canada would like to congratulate all the officials on their selection to the USPORTS championships,” said Dan Hanoomansingh, manager of officiating with Hockey Canada. “Our university championships provide top-tier competition in a challenging, single-elimination tournament. These officials are at the top of the game and continued to hone their craft throughout the season to be ready for this event.”
The on-ice officials for the U SPORTS national championships will be outfitted by FORCE Sports.
Men's University Cup (Ottawa, ON)
Maxime Bedard (Hockey Québec) – Linesperson Adam Burnett (Ontario Hockey Federation) – Linesperson Taylor Burzminski (Hockey Alberta) – Referee Dominic Cadieux (Hockey Québec) – Referee Tanner Doiron (Hockey P.E.I.) – Referee Maxime Ferland (Hockey Québec) – Linesperson Mitchell Gibbs (BC Hockey) – Linesperson Brendan Kane (Ontario Hockey Federation) – Referee Shawn Oliver (Hockey Eastern Ontario) – Linesperson Tyson Stewart (Hockey Eastern Ontario) – Referee
Women's Hockey Championship (Elmira, ON)
Grace Barlow (BC Hockey) – Referee Brandy Beecroft (Ontario Women's Hockey Association) – Referee Ali Beres (Ontario Women's Hockey Association) – Linesperson Jessica Chartrand (Hockey Québec) – Linesperson Alexandra Clarke (Hockey Saskatchewan) – Linesperson Marie-Éve Couture (Hockey Québec) – Referee Béatrice Fortin (Hockey Québec) – Referee Laura Gutauskas (Ontario Women's Hockey Association) – Linesperson Amy Laroche (BC Hockey) – Linesperson Elizabeth Mantha (Hockey Québec) – Referee Amy Martin (Hockey Manitoba) – Referee Michelle McKenna (Hockey Saskatchewan) – Referee Shauna Neary (Hockey Manitoba) – Referee Sophie Thomson (Hockey Nova Scotia) – Linesperson Justine Todd (Ontario Women's Hockey Association) – Linesperson Erin Zach (Ontario Women's Hockey Association) – Linesperson
The officiating coaches for the University Cup will be Dan Hanoomansingh (Vancouver, BC) and Kirk Wood (Cambridge, ON). The officiating coaches for the Women’s Hockey Championship will be Gabrielle Ariano-Lortie (Montréal, QC) and Vanessa Stratton (Windsor, ON).
In My Own Words: Anthony Lapointe
One of the country’s top up-and-coming linespersons talks about his unique journey in the game as a player and official, juggling school and hockey, and working with young officials
As a player and an official, I haven’t had what you would call a ‘traditional’ path in hockey.
My playing days didn’t begin until I was almost a teenager, and my time wearing the stripes stopped and started before I got onto the journey I find myself on today.
I guess I’ll start there. I work as a linesperson in a number of leagues in and around Quebec. This season, I’ve done games in the American Hockey League (AHL), ECHL, Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL), Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) and Ligue de hockey junior AAA du Québec (LHJAAAQ), with U SPORTS and with Hockey Lac St-Louis, my local region.
Oh, and I serve as referee-in-chief of the AHM de Mont-Royal/Outremont, working with young officials.
And did I mention I’m a full-time student, finishing my degree in physical education at McGill University?
It’s a lot, but I love the game.
As I said earlier, I got into the game late. Growing up in Montreal, I watched PK Subban on TV and wanted to be just like him. I knew I wasn’t going to actually make it to the NHL, but I wanted to get on the ice and see where the game would take me. More than anything, I just wanted to have fun.
I was already an active kid. I was always outside, always playing games, but never anything too organized, outside of a couple years of soccer. In school, I lived for sports. I’d make sure I was on every single extracurricular team there was. And I’d be at school all day; from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., I’d be in class. And then from 3:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., I’d be playing sports.
Finally, when I was 12, my mom agreed to sign me up for minor hockey.
I’m pretty sure I was late for my first tryouts, so I just ended up on a random team, but I loved it. I never played too competitive, never got to AAA or anything like that, but I was just happy to be playing.
Shortly after I started playing, my dad left. So, it was just the five of us – my mom, myself and my three siblings. Money was tight. But my mom kept me in hockey. She kept all of us in the things we loved. She always put her children first, and made sure we had what we wanted.
If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Heck, I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t even know how to skate!
So… Mom, if you’re reading this, thank you. You are the reason I am here today. I love you.
I played minor hockey through to U18, and I thought my playing career was done at that point. Until I got a phone call from the coach at Cégep André-Laurendeau, asking if I wanted to join the college team. I was surprised, because I had never considered collegiate hockey, but I had a buddy on the team who recommended me.
It was already December, and the season was two months old, but I was on the ice the next day and quickly found myself a member of the Boomerang. That was my home for the next two years.
When that chapter was complete, I knew I wanted to stay involved in the game. I wanted to be active, wanted to be on the ice.
My coach told me he knew a guy if I ever wanted to be an official, so I thought… why not?
I did say earlier that my officiating career stopped and started. I actually got my start as an official when I was 16. But at that point, I didn’t want to work the two-man system and do U11 and U13 games. It wasn’t for me.
Fast forward four or five years, and it was a different story. The guy my coach knew was Doug Hayward, who has spent decades involved in officiating in Quebec. He’s has earned provincial and national recognition working with young officials, so when he spoke, I listened.
I decided to give it a real go this time.
It didn’t take long to realize officiating was something I was good at, and something that could be more than – as I considered it – a great way to serve the game and stay physically active. I was working AAA games my first year, and after that first year I got the call to go to the NHL Officiating Exposure Combine. Then I got hired in the QMJHL. Then I got hired in the AHL. Then I got hired in the ECHL. I was like, “Okay, this happening.”
Last season, I started to get more attention nationally and internationally. I attended the provincial Member camp in Quebec, and got an invite to the National High Performance Officiating Camp in Calgary, just about a year ago.
I’ve worked the TELUS Cup, Junior A World Challenge, Centennial Cup and Hlinka Gretzky Cup, working with some of the best officials from across the country. That kind of experience only makes me better on and off the ice.
Hockey Canada helped me get my B license with the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), and that led to my first-ever international assignment – the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship, Division 2A in Dumfries, Scotland.
That was a crazy experience. I spent the first three days just watching, because my luggage didn’t show up. I flew Montreal-Paris-Amsterdam-Edinburgh, and my connection in Paris was only 45 minutes. It’s a huge airport, so I had a feeling my luggage wasn’t making it.
But it was a really nice event. When you work IIHF events, you get to meet new people and you create friendships. We were 11 officials over there, and there are three or four that I still talk to on a regular basis. I’m excited to do more events like that in the future.
The question I get a lot is: How? How do I juggle officiating and school, along with everyday life?
I’d say it’s easier now than it was a few years ago. When I started officiating, I didn’t really know what was going on, so I’d bring my laptop to the rink. I’d show up half an hour early just to finish my work. And then when I got back home after hockey, I’d hop back on the computer and finish my assignments.
I just always have my computer when I travel. If I take a plane, which I do usually once a month, I’ll show up an hour earlier and just do some work to make sure it’s done.
Most of my teachers are understanding. There has definitely been some hockey that I have had to miss out on because I had to be in class, but for most of the part there has been a good balance.
Sleep has taken a bit of a hit, because I’ll either stay up really late or get up really early to finish some work because I know I’m travelling four or five hours for a game. The last thing I want to do when I get home at two in the morning is homework. So, I’ll sleep four or five hours, wake up early, finish my work and then submit it. I’ve made it work, and I’m almost done!
As exciting as being on the ice in some of the best leagues in the world is, there’s something special about working with the young officials with the AHM de Mont-Royal/Outremont.
There are two things I tell young officials:
Number one, you have to make sure you’re having fun. If you’re not having fun, this is not for you, and I won’t take it personally if you don’t want to officiate anymore.
Number two, everybody is human. It’s normal to make mistakes. I’m officiating at the professional level, but that doesn’t mean I don’t make a mistake. But you need to acknowledge your mistakes and learn from your mistakes to get better.
When I go to rinks to supervise, the officials get so stressed whenever they see me walk in the building. So, the first thing I do is tell them, “Let’s relax here. I’m not here to judge you. I’m here to help you.”
Before I wrap up, I just wanted to reiterate that I’m extremely lucky to be in the position I’m in, and I don’t take it for granted. It’s hard to believe I’ve only been an official for four years.
But it’s all about the love of the game, as I’ve mentioned a couple times.
The official may be the “law and order” on the ice, but I really do go out there with a smile on my face and try to make friends. I don’t want to make enemies. Whenever I have an opportunity to shoot a joke, I’ll take it. I’ll see a player, I’ll make a joke and we’ll build off of that.
The next time we’re on the ice together, I’m happy to see them and hopefully they’re happy to see me too.
Just like I tell my officials … if you’re not having fun, this probably isn’t for you!
Partners recognized for support of 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship
27 partners contributing to World Juniors in Ottawa, including 10 tournament partners
OTTAWA, Ontario – With the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship beginning today, Hockey Canada is proud to recognize and thank the corporate partners who are supporting the tournament in Ottawa.
“The 2025 World Juniors would not be possible without the tremendous support we’ve received from our partners across the National Capital Region and beyond,” said Dean McIntosh, senior vice-president of revenue, fan experience and community impact. “From the moment Ottawa was awarded the tournament, we have worked with the host organizing committee to engage organizations that are excited to contribute to the legacy of this year’s event, which has led to one of the largest group of partners in World Juniors history.”
The successful bid to host the World Juniors was a partnership between the Ottawa Senators, Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group (OSEG), Ottawa Tourism, Hockey Eastern Ontario (HEO), the City of Ottawa and the Province of Ontario.
Hockey Canada has 11 of its corporate partners activating at this year’s tournament, including Esso, TELUS, Tim Hortons, Bauer, BFL CANADA, PepsiCo, OK Tire, Timber Mart, AMJ Campbell and SportsPay.
TSN/RDS, the official broadcasters of the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship, will broadcast all 29 tournament games.
In addition, 10 event partners are supporting the delivery of one of international hockey’s most prestigious tournaments: Access Storage, BUMP, Bumper to Bumper, Canadian Blood Services, FLO, LP Building Solutions, Myers Automotive Group, Niagara College, Supplement King and Walker Real Estate Group with RE/MAX.
The 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship begins today, with extremely limited ticket inventory for select games available at HockeyCanada.ca/Tickets.
To learn more about Hockey Canada, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along through social media on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.
Esso extends partnership with Hockey Canada
Multi-year extension will prioritize initiatives that strengthen inclusion in hockey
CALGARY, Alberta –Hockey Canada has announced a multi-year partnership extension with one of its long-standing premier partners, Imperial Oil’s Esso brand.
The extension will see Esso continue to work with Hockey Canada on initiatives that promote and strengthen inclusion in hockey, as well as enhancing programming opportunities for grassroots participants across Canada, including with women and girls.
“Hockey Canada has made it clear to Canadians that we are committed to building a healthier hockey that is rooted in safety, excellence and sport for all, and today’s announcement is extremely important to help us work towards that in partnership with Esso,” said Katherine Henderson, president and chief executive officer of Hockey Canada. “We are grateful to have its unwavering support and cannot wait to work together to connect more Canadians, and especially women and girls, with our national winter sport for years to come.”
“Imperial and the Esso brand have proudly supported hockey in Canada for more than 80 years, recognizing its vital role in connecting people and communities,” said Sherri Evers, senior vice-president with Imperial Oil. “Supporting the next generation of players and fans helps ensure the spirit of hockey in Canada continues to thrive. We look forward to our continued partnership with Hockey Canada that allows us to support achievement at all levels of hockey – from grassroots to the world stage.”
Imperial Oil and the Esso brand have been synonymous with hockey in Canada for nearly 90 years and a premier partner of Hockey Canada since 1981.
As part of the extension, the Esso brand will continue to have an extensive presence in creating unforgettable experiences for women’s and girls’ hockey across the country as the title sponsor of the Esso Cup, Canada’s Women’s U18 National Club Championship, and Esso Fun Days, which is an introductory program that introduced over 1,500 girls and women to hockey last season.
“For many Canadians hockey isn’t just a game, it’s what brings us together in our communities, and when Team Canada hits the ice it’s what unites us a nation” said Cheryl Seaward, director of partnerships at Imperial Oil. “As a long-standing premier partner of Hockey Canada, Imperial is proud to extend its partnership, fuelling the next generation of athletes from pond to podium while supporting the expansion and growth of the women’s game.”
The 2025 Esso Cup is scheduled for April 20-26 in Lloydminster, Alberta.
Along with Esso, Hockey Canada’s premier partners include TELUS, Tim Hortons and TSN/RDS.
To learn more about Hockey Canada, please visit HockeyCanada.ca , or follow along through social media on Facebook , X and Instagram .
Hockey Canada and Force Sports launch The First Whistle program
In partnership with Force Sports, the new initiative looks to reduce entry barriers for officials
CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada and Force Sports have announced The First Whistle, a new program designed to reduce barriers to entry for officials, including for women and individuals from underrepresented communities.
Primarily targeting newly certified officials, the program looks to increase registrations by using jerseys loaned to approved minor hockey associations and limiting the cost barriers for prospective officials.
“Officiating is such a tremendous way for participants of all ages to be involved in hockey and we recognize that across the country, there are existing barriers impacting entry-level opportunities for interested officials,” said Dan Hanoomansingh, manager of officiating for Hockey Canada. “In partnership with Force Sports, we hope that The First Whistle can help minor hockey associations recruit more officials and ultimately create lifelong engagement with hockey for participants in the program, which will benefit Hockey Canada, our Members and participants.”
“Through this program and our partnership with Hockey Canada, Force Sports hopes to reduce the barriers to entry for those wanting to try officiating,” said Dave Martin, president of Force Sports.
More information about the Hockey Canada Officiating Program can be found here.
To learn more about Hockey Canada, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along through social media on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.
Hockey Canada and Canlan Sports extend partnership through 2027
Organizations are continuing to work together to grow recreational hockey across Canada
CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada has announced a three-year partnership extension with Canlan Sports through the 2026-27 season that will continue to welcome over 80,000 adult recreational hockey participants to Canada’s sanctioned hockey system, and allow both organizations and Hockey Canada’s Members to collaborate on initiatives to grow the game across the country.
In addition to its adult recreational programming, Canlan runs learn to skate and select introductory hockey programs for participants, helps to deliver minor hockey tournaments, and provides practice and game ice for minor hockey associations across Canada with its 11 sports complexes in British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario and Saskatchewan.
“Hockey Canada’s partnership with Canlan is critical to helping us grow the game at all levels and we are excited to work with them to introduce more youth and adults to hockey,” said Darren Cossar, senior vice-president of member engagement for Hockey Canada. “Together with our Members, we have a tremendous opportunity to build on our partnership with Canlan to enhance the programs offered to participants and learn from the successes of the Adult Safe Hockey League (ASHL) and ASHL Affiliate Leagues.”
The partnership between Hockey Canada and Canlan began in 2011 and will celebrate 15 seasons during the 2025-26 campaign.
“We’re excited to continue our partnership with Hockey Canada as we look to highlight all of the positive benefits the game of hockey has to offer participants and the growth opportunities for the sport with different audiences across the country,” said Joey St-Aubin, president and CEO for Canlan Sports.
Throughout the partnership, Hockey Canada and its Members will continue to work with Canlan to welcome new participants to the game, including women and girls, new Canadians, families facing financial barriers, and equity-deserving groups.
To learn more about Hockey Canada, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along through social media on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok. To learn more about Canlan Sports, please visit canlansports.com.
Hockey Canada Members elect three directors
Gillian Apps and Amanda Fowler re-elected; Daniel Fontaine joins the board
OTTAWA, Ontario – Hockey Canada’s 13 Members have re-elected Gillian Apps and Amanda Fowler to the Hockey Canada Board of Directors and elected Daniel Fontaine, with all three set to serve three-year terms.
“We are excited to have Gillian and Amanda re-elected and look forward to welcoming Daniel to our board after a year of tremendous progress,” said Jonathan Goldbloom, chair of the Hockey Canada Board of Directors. “Our board is wholeheartedly committed to being part of the solution to transform the culture of hockey and will continue to share our important work with Canadians.
“As a former national team athlete, outgoing director Corey Hirsch brought critical insights to our board deliberations and we are counting on him to remain involved as we focus on the player pathways in the months and years ahead.”
Apps chairs Hockey Canada’s women’s and girls’ hockey steering committee, which published a national discussion paper in October and is preparing a blueprint for growing the game that will be published in the first half of 2025, while Fowler chairs the sub-committee that is overseeing the creation of the new national team athlete committee.
A proud citizen of the Métis Nation, Daniel Fontaine is the chief executive officer of MICHIFCO Consulting and has extensive experience in government relations, policy development and communications.
Fontaine graduated from the University of Manitoba and Langara College and has also volunteered on a number of boards, including the New Westminster Minor Hockey Association, Douglas College, SafeCare BC, the BC College of Psychologists and the Canadian Association for Long-Term Care.
More information on the Hockey Canada Board of Directors can be found here.
To learn more about Hockey Canada, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along through social media on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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