Competitive
Hometown Rep Hockey + Community Pride = UPPER YORK MINOR HOCKEY!
At Upper York Minor Hockey, we remain unwavering
in our commitment to offering a competitive, hometown rep hockey experience
that fosters community pride. Even with the Ontario Hockey Federation (OHF)
decision to open player movement across Ontario starting in the 2025/26 season
for U8 and above, Upper York Minor Hockey Association (UYMHA) continues to
stand strong in offering top-tier hockey opportunities for our local athletes.
While borders are now open, we are focused on making
Upper York Minor Hockey the Destination of Choice for hockey
players in our local home community.
What Makes Upper York Minor Hockey Stand Out?
Great People Make Great Programs:
Our programs begin with the people who lead them. We're bringing in
individuals with exceptional hockey knowledge, a proven track record, and a
passion for the game to drive our rep teams. When the right people run the
right programs, success follows – attracting even more passionate individuals
to contribute their energy, expertise, and love of the game to UYMHA.
Coaching Excellence:
We understand that strong coaching is the cornerstone of any successful
hockey program. That’s why we’re focused on attracting, retaining, and
developing the best possible coaches across all skill levels. Accomplished
coaches who consistently run successful programs are critical to our mission.
They not only help retain players but also develop them into skilled athletes
who are prepared for the next level.
In a world where players can choose where they play, we are confident
that the caliber of our coaching staff will position us as a top choice for
local athletes. At the AA level, we are continuing with non-parent coaches, with
the Association absorbing majority of the added costs associated to this
so that team budgets remain unaffected by this strategic decision.
We are also excited to announce that our head coach roster for the
2026/27 season is stronger than ever, giving us a solid foundation for growth
and success.
Coaching Resources:
To support our coaches in their development, we are providing them with
the very best in hockey industry technology and coaching development training
programs at no cost. This commitment to continuous improvement ensures that our
coaches have the tools they need to succeed, which in turn enhances the
development of our players and ensures the long-term success of our programs.
On-Ice Professional Development:
We bring to all of our programs professional development coaches with deep hockey knowledge and experience
to provide specialized training for our players. This initiative has been very well received and our Hockey Operations Development Team will continue to evolve and expand this offering every season,
making our rep programs even more effective and impactful.
Off-Ice Professional Development:
We know
that success on the ice is directly tied to athletes’ physical and mental
development off the ice. To enhance our players' all-around development, we
have formed an exclusive partnership with Blood, Sweat, Train, a
premier training facility located in Newmarket, Ontario. This collaboration
will provide our players with access to hockey-specific training programs
designed to boost strength, speed, agility, and injury prevention—crucial
elements for any hockey player’s success.
Off Ice Conditioning Partnership”
The Exercise Lab is an 8,000-square-foot private facility dedicated to
hockey-specific training. Their programs are tailored to improve the physical
attributes and skills necessary for hockey players to excel. These include
increasing skating speed, shooting power, reaction time, and overall agility on
the ice. Additionally, the training emphasizes injury prevention through
strength, flexibility, and stability exercises that reduce the risk of common
hockey-related injuries.
Beyond physical conditioning, The Exercise Lab enhances
overall hockey skills such as puck handling, shooting accuracy, and
coordination—helping our players become more complete athletes. Their focus on
long-term athletic development sets players up for success at higher levels of
competition and prepares them for increasingly challenging physical demands.
Furthermore, regular training promotes mental toughness and discipline,
essential qualities for hockey players who aim to push through obstacles and
continuously improve.
Focus on U7, U8, and U9 Grassroots Programs:
We’ve placed a strong emphasis on our U7, U8, and U9 programs because we
know these early stages of hockey development are key to a player’s growth. The
competition in the grassroots hockey market is fierce, but we are ensuring that
our U7 programs in both East Gwillimbury and Georgina receive the same level of
high-quality coaching and skill development as our higher-level teams.
As players progress into U8/U9, we’re committed to finding the right
head coaches every season to properly continue their growth and development, ensuring proper leadership. This
commitment will allow our grassroots programs to feed directly into Upper York
Minor Hockey, creating a seamless pathway for
players to continue their development on home soil.
Local Commitment, Local Pride:
We understand that local players and their families are looking for a
competitive, community-oriented hockey experience close to home. Upper York
Minor Hockey offers just that—from U8 all the way to U18. We are committed to
providing a positive, competitive environment where athletes can thrive, learn,
and develop while maintaining a strong sense of community pride.
Upper York Minor Hockey is fully invested in positive growth,
continuous improvement, and creating a hometown hockey culture where local
players can excel, stay close to home, and pursue their dreams. We believe in
fostering a positive and competitive environment for all players.
Join Us in Making History!
We are incredibly excited about the future of Upper York Minor Hockey
and together, we can create a community that values hard work, dedication, and
teamwork, all while fostering pride in our local hockey programs.
Let’s build a legacy of excellence together.
ADMIRALS PRIDE !
