For complete program information including game formats, rosters and rules, download this guide.
Using the latest guidelines from Hockey Canada, CDS focuses on creating the most dynamic and engaging hockey experience for our sport’s youngest players. With small-ice surfaces and game formats stripped down to the basics, CDS players get maximum ice-time and puck-time translating into super-accelerated development. And this can all be found in a competitive league with local games and family-friendly schedules. With hundreds of shot attempts per game and an average of almost one goal per minute, CDS games are as much fun to watch as they are to play.
The CDS program is an optional extension of House League available to all registered 6-8 years old House League players on an evaluation/tryout basis. (CDS players will play on two teams – their regular House League team and a CDS team.)
The program is so successful and so many players participate that we are able to offer a CDS-only House League division for CDS players in most age divisions. This means that the House League experience is also much more balanced and engaging for CDS players. It is recommended that you register early as some House League Divisions sell out quickly and you cannot try out for CDS unless you are registered in House League..
In addition to House League, CDS players participate in one or two additional practices per week and play approximately one weekly development game (20-23 games per season) against CDS teams from our neighbouring hockey clubs. As well, CDS teams may play often participate in tournaments or festivals throughout the season. Joining a CDS team is like joining a new hockey family and many life-long relationships are formed through this amazing experience!
All teams will also participate in an end-of-season Festival in April in conjunction with the Competitive Development Program teams from Humber Valley, West Mall, Georg Bell, Faustina and Warren Park.
For the 2024-2025 season North Toronto is fielding CDS Teams in the following age divisions:
· U7 (2018) · U8 (2017) · U9 (2016)
Depending on demand, we normally form 2-4 tiered CDS teams for each division as follows:
Red Team (Tier 1)
Green Team (Tier 2)
White Team (Tier 3)
Black Team (Tier 4)
In addition to the House League time commitment of 2 sessions per week, our CDS teams will hold 1 team practice per week plus participate in a weekly interclub games (20-22 games per season). Additionally, teams may participate in 2-3 tournaments or festivals per season.
CDS games begin in October after Thanksgiving and end in mid-April.
Games will not be scheduled over major holidays (Thanksgiving, Winter Break, Family Day, Easter) or during the public school March Break.
Your child wants to be a goalie? Fantastic! Goalies are in high-demand at all levels of the game so this position is strongly encouraged. However, goalies are not designated in the CDS program and players will rotate through the position as it is critical for young players to develop their skating and puck handling skills before any position-specific specialization. Each team will purchase goalie equipment for use by everyone.
Compared to any other development programs for young players, CDS players experience more than 2X the ice time, and 3X to 4X all of the key skill metrics such puck touches, shot attempts, shots on goal, pass attempts, puck battles, turns, pivots and changes of direction. In addition, games take place on mostly local rinks with predictable, family-friendly schedules which is great for mom, dad and siblings.
In addition to House League fees, players will be responsible for Team Fees of approximately $2,200 – $2,600 payable in two instalments (October & December). Financial assistance may be available through your Team Manager to cover a portion of the Team Fee.
For coach information, contact cds@nthockey.ca.
Rosters of 18 players are used for U7/U8 and 17 players for U9. For games, teams will be split into 2 squads of 8 skaters plus one goalie per side. Games will be played 4-on-4. After January , U9 players will play full-ice 5-on-5 with goalies
The number of teams is determined by the number of players interested in CDS. Typically North Toronto has formed 2-4 teams in each of the U7-U9 divisions and we will form as many teams as possible if there is sufficient player / volunteer interest. It is our goal to accommodate as many players as possible in our CDS program.
In accordance with the OHF U9 Player Pathway requirements, full ice hockey will be introduced in January of the U9 (8 years old) season.
At North Toronto, we have a comprehensive two-part evaluation program designed to ensure all CDS players are assigned to the team which best matches their ability level. In mid-September all House League players, including those who previously played on CDS teams, are evaluated by our professional skills instructors over the course of 3 or 4 sessions. From those evaluation sessions, players wishing to be considered for CDS teams will be ranked and then invited to individual team evaluations starting with the Red (Tier 1) team evaluation. This is followed by the Green (Tier 2) team evaluation, then the White (Tier 3) team tryout and subsequent evaluations if necessary. Schedules will be posted here in early September
1. In order to be eligible for any NT CDS Team you must be registered in House League and your registration must be ACCEPTED prior to the evaluation dates. Even if you were registered in NT House League in 2023-2024, you must still register and be accepted for the 2024-25 season to be eligible for any evaluations. You are automatically eligible if you have a confirmed HL registration. Players without a valid HL registration cannot attend evaluations.. If you haven’t done that yet, visit the House League page for details of that program or jump straight to House League registration.
2. A player is only eligible for a team that matches their birth year.
3. GTHL Rule 7.12 requires that your child must be registered with only one hockey club/House League at any given time. Players found to be registered with multiple clubs/associations may be declared ineligible from playing CDS at NT even if they are chosen for a team. Any CDS team fees paid may also be forfeited.
At North Toronto, we have a comprehensive two-part evaluation program designed to ensure all CDS players are assigned to the team which best matches their ability level. In mid-September all House League players, including those who previously played on CDS teams, are evaluated by our professional skills instructors over the course of 3 or 4 sessions. From those evaluation sessions, players wishing to be considered for CDS teams will be ranked and then invited to individual team evaluations starting with the Red (Tier 1) team evaluation. This is followed by the Green (Tier 2) team evaluation, then the White (Tier 3) team tryout and subsequent evaluations if necessary. Schedules will be posted here in early September.
Since CDS is an extension of House League, Select players must participate regularly in House League. Undocumented absences will result in suspension of CDS playing privileges according to the NT Houseleague Attendance Policy.
Suspensions will be communicated to players/parents by the respective coaches or House League Division convenor. Coaches will receive the instruction from the CDS/Select Committee, the House League Committee or the appropriate House League Division Convenor as appropriate.
The well-being of our players is paramount at North Toronto Hockey. Please review our Code of Conduct to ensure compliance for both you and your child.
1. In order to try out for any NT CDS Team you must be registered in House League and your registration must be ACCEPTED prior to the tryout dates. Even if you were registered in NT House League in 2019-2020, you must still register and be accepted for the 2020-21 season to be eligible for any evaluations tryouts. You are automatically eligible to tryout if you have a confirmed HL registration. Players without a valid HL registration will not be allowed to tryout. If you haven’t done that yet, visit the House League page for details of that program or jump straight to House League registration.
2. A player may only try out for a team that matches his/her birth year.
3. GTHL Rule 7.12 requires that your child must be registered with only one hockey club/House League at any given time. Players found to be registered with multiple clubs/associations may be declared ineligible from playing CDS at NT even if they are chosen for a team. Any CDS team fees paid may also be forfeited.
Our goal in the CDS program is to develop as many players as possible equally and fairly. This means that our teams will attempt to fill all 18 roster positions for every team.
In addition, the lowest-tiered team in a division may offer up to 2 Alternate Player development positions to players who do not make the regular roster squad if players are available.
For a substantially reduced fee, Alternate Players attend all practices, receive uniforms and fill in for regular roster players in games as needed. Most Alternate Players go on to become regular roster players the following season. For more information, please contact select@nthockey.ca
Since CDS is an extension of House League, Select players must participate regularly in House League. Undocumented absences will result in suspension of Select playing privileges according to the NT Houseleague Attendance Policy.
Suspensions will be communicated to players/parents by the respective coaches or House League Division convenor. Coaches will receive the instruction from the Select Committee, the House League Committee or the appropriate House League Division Convenor as appropriate.
The well-being of our players is paramount at North Toronto Hockey. Please review our Code of Conduct to ensure compliance for both you and your child.
You can view schedules directly on the Competitive Development program website.
As with volunteers, our programs would be nearly impossible to run without the generous financial support of the businesses and individuals in our community. Thank you to the following 2024-25 CDS Sponsors!
North Toronto Hockey offers many programs, so it’s hard to know who to reach out to sometimes. For all things Competitive Development Stream, you can email cds@nthockey.ca.
President – NTHA: president@nthockey.ca
Registration: registrar@nthockey.ca
House League & Learn to Play Program: hl@nthockey.ca
Skills & LTP: natali.robinson@nthockey.ca
CDS Program: cds@nthockey.ca
Select Program: select@nthockey.ca
GTHL Program: gthl@nthockey.ca
Head of Referees: referee@nthockey.ca
Sponsorship: sponsorship@nthockey.ca
Coaching: coaching@nthockey.ca
Volunteers: volunteer@nthockey.ca
Alumni and Recognition: greenwall@nthockey.ca
174 Orchardview Boulevard, Toronto, Ontario, M4R 1C3
