Becoming a Coach

The Ontario Hockey Federation provides online training for team officials to support inclusive hockey in Ontario and understanding discrimination based on gender identity and gender expression.

To register or for more information click HERE

The Respect in Sport- Activity Leader online program is not the same as the Respect in Sport-Parent program.

This three-hour online program is divided into six 30-minute modules that include audio/visual presentations, quizzes, and printable handouts. One of the great benefits of the program is that it does not need to be completed in one sitting, allowing you to complete it at your leisure. However, you will not be considered trained until you complete the entire program. Participants can complete this program at their leisure within a 30 day time frame.

Your registration and completion of the Respect in Sport program via our website will automatically update to your record in the Hockey Canada Registry.

The cost of the Respect In Sport online course is $30.

Click here to register for the Respect in Sport online course.

The GTHL hosts mandatory educational sessions for the Head Coach and Trainer of each Team (House League, Select, “A”, “AA”, and “AAA”).

Sessions cover:

• Return to Play Protocol/Concussion Education
• Hockey Canada’s Maltreatment Policy and Protocols

The Session is approximately 2 1/2 hours in length. The Concussion and Maltreatment session will be available in June for the 2024-25 season.

These sessions will play an important role in the GTHL’s goal of providing a safe environment for all participants.

Hockey Canada provides online learning opportunities through their Hockey University program. The 4.5 hour Coach Level 1 & 2 prerequisite course provides in-depth information and instruction on leadership, communication, safety, teaching skills, and progressions. All the Hockey U modules lead into the in-class coach level program.

The HU Online-Coach Level 1/2 course is the prerequisite to the 4.5 hour in-class coach level courses.  The online course will continue to be available on your Hockey Canada profile until it is completed.  The online portion must be completed before you are able to register for the coach level in-class courses.

U9 and below house league coaches should be trained at the Coach 1 Level. This 8.5 hour course (4.5 hours online Coach Level 1 & 2 prerequisite course and 4 hours in-class) includes topics such as; skills teaching/analysis, lesson organisation, teaching stations, drills and games for development, and equipment and space usage for teaching. Also included is an on-ice training session designing and delivering the topics covered. You will be required to bring a CSA-approved helmet, skates, gloves and a hockey stick for the on-ice component. The Initiation Program was developed by Hockey Canada to make a child’s first contact with hockey a safe and positive experience. In a structured learn-to-play hockey program environment, beginners can learn the game’s basic skills and become contributing members of a team, develop confidence, and experience personal achievement. The Hockey Canada Initiation Program atmosphere is one of fun and fair play.

This course has a prerequisite which requires that participants complete the Hockey University-Coach 1/2 online program before registration for the 4.5 hour in-class course that includes a 1.5 hour on-ice training session. The online course will continue to be available on your Hockey Canada profile until it is completed.

More information on upcoming clinics will become available in June 2024.

Click here if you have registered and would like to access your Hockey Canada profile and Hockey University pre-task courses.

All U10 and above house league head coaches should be trained at the Coach 2 Level. This 8.5 hour course (4.5 online Coach Level 1 & 2 prerequisite course and 4 hours in-class) includes topics such as; supporting the athlete through communication, designing and delivering practices and the game environment, game day preparations, and the National Coaching Certification Program’s (NCCP) M.E.D.-Making Ethical Decisions workshop. Also included is an on-ice training session designing and delivering the topics covered. You will be required to bring a CSA-approved helmet, skates, gloves and a hockey stick for the on-ice component.

This course has a prerequisite which requires that participants complete the Hockey University-Coach 1/2 online program before registration for the 4.5 hour in-class course that includes a 1.5 hour on-ice training session. The online course will continue to be available on your Hockey Canada profile until it is completed.

All coaches who participate in a Coach Level 2 clinic can become fully certified by:

1. Completing Making Ethical Decisions online with the Coaching Association of Canada. To view your Coaching Association of Canada Locker profile or complete the Making Ethical Decisions-Community Sport online evaluation, you will be required to log-in to your Coaching Association of Canada Locker profile. For instructions on how to get into the Locker Click HERE 

1. Complete and submit for review the Coach Learning Log Workbook portion of the Coach Workbook received at the in-class session. The Coach Learning Log Workbook document along with proof of Making Ethical Decisions completion must be scanned and emailed to: coachdevelopment@gthlcanada.com – Evaluation assignment participant responsibilities are Pages 7-32.

More information on upcoming clinics will become available in June 2024.

Click here if you have registered and would like to access your Hockey Canada profile and Hockey University pre-task courses.

The Hockey Canada Development 1 is the training required for head coaches and assistant coaches of rep level hockey ‘A’, ‘AA’ & ‘AAA’ (excluding U14 AAA and above AAA). Hockey Canada’s Body Checking component is included in the GTHL Development 1 training. Completion is of this course is considered Development 1 TRAINED and if you require a CERTIFIED status you will be required to successfully complete the following:

1. Completion of the NCCP Make Ethical Decisions Online Evaluation (Free to D1 participants after clinic completion) via the Locker. Upon completion of the D1 clinic your records in the Hockey Canada Registry will be updated to reflect a “Trained” status (this may take a few days after the clinic). Your Coaching Association of Canada (CAC) Locker profile will also be updated which will allow you to take the NCCP Make Ethical Decisions Online Evaluation. For instructions on how to get into the Locker Click HERE. Proof of completed Making Ethical Decisions and assignment completion (Step 2) must be emailed to the GTHL coachdevelopment@gthlcanada.com
2. Complete and submit for review the Coach Evaluation Criteria portion of the Coach Work Book received at the in-class session. (Click here to download Coach Evaluation Criteria PDF) The document along with proof of M.E.D completion must be emailed to coachdevelopment@gthlcanada.com. Evaluation assignment participant responsibilities include; Pages 2-5 Biography and goals, Page 7 Seasonal Plan, Page 12 Video Analysis, Pages 14-17 Practice 1 & Self Evaluation, Pages 18-21 Practice 2 & Self Evaluation, Pages 22-25 Practice 3 and the Self Evaluation, Page 27 Emergency Action Plan (EAP)
3. Schedule and successfully participate in an on-ice evaluation  – To schedule an evaluation please Click HERE

*IF YOU REQUIRE A SECOND EVALUATION, YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO PAY A RE-EVALUATION FEE OF $90.00.

The GTHL follows Hockey Canada and Coaching Association of Canada requirements for program delivery, certification, and maintenance of certifications. This 16-hour course includes topics such as; team building with athletes, skills and progression, season planning, practice design, goaltending, offence, defence, individual/team tactics, practice to game transitions and the National Coaching Certification Program’s (NCCP) M.E.D.-Making Ethical Decisions workshop. Also included is an on-ice training session designing and delivering the topics covered. You will be required to bring a CSA-approved helmet, skates, gloves and a hockey stick for the on-ice component.

All coaches who participate in a Development 1 Clinic from July 1, 2014 to present, will be required to complete three steps to be fully certified and acquire 20 Professional Development points within five years of certification date:

Click here for clinic dates, locations, and more information (ensure your filter is set to the 2024-25 Season to see all available dates)

Click here for more info on Professional Development/Certification Maintenance

All Head Coaches coaching U14 AAA and above at the AAA level (U21 excluded) must be High Performance 1 Certified.

The HP1 coaching program is an advanced development experience which features in-class sessions, assignments, and a field evaluation. The in-class session will provide the coach will a special opportunity to learn from presenters who have years of experience in high performance coaching environments. Coaches will complete an assignment that they will receive feedback and support on from a mentor. Also, a Hockey Canada evaluator will be scheduled to observe a practice and game, as well as conduct an overall evaluation of a coach’s program.

The Ontario Hockey Federation will be hosting High Performance 1 clinics across Ontario during the summer and will be accepting applications.

Click here for more information and to apply.

The GTHL is committed to providing clinics that increase the knowledge and skills of coaches to help them teach age appropriate skills to players. Instructional Stream clinics include a 3 hour in-class/1 hour on ice session and are based on several different topics; skating, checking skills, goaltending, developing defenceman, and skills. Each Instructional Stream clinic carries a value of  5 point towards certification maintenance.

Click here for in-class clinic dates and locations.

Hockey Canada and the Coaching Association of Canada have provided a framework for developing coaches and maintaining certification through participation in national and provincial sport organization conferences and workshops, eLearning modules, NCCP workshops, coach mentorship programs, and active coaching. Professional Development points can be earned through a multitude of activities that coaches already participate in. PD points are tracked by the Coaching Association of Canada and Hockey Canada.

Click here for more info on Professional Development/Certification Maintenance