Frequently Asked Questions |

Q. When does the season start and how long will it last?
A. The Season starts on the first weekend after Thanksgiving and goes to the end of March. There will be a banquet to present the awards in early April.

Q. When are the games and practices?
A. House League hockey is played on the weekends.  Game times depend on the final number registered at each level but we try to predict registration and do provide a "proposed" schedule for the coming year.

Q. My child doesn’t know how to play hockey.
A. House League hockey at Hillcrest is ‘recreational’ hockey. It is geared for kids to get some exercise, learn a team sport, meet some friends and have fun. At Hillcrest, for the younger levels (Tyke, Novice, Atom, Jr Girls) we balance lines so that players with equal ability play with and against players of equal ability. This allows everyone to fully participate in the play, get some "puck time" and have fun playing a team sport.  To teach your child the fundamentals of the game, practices are scheduled once every other week. Also we require all our coaches to obtain their Level 1 Coaches Certification from Hockey Canada so that they may be better coaches.

Q. What equipment is necessary to play hockey?
A. Helmet with full cage or shield to fully protect the head and face, certified neck protector, shoulder pads, elbow pads, hockey gloves, hockey pants, shin pads and a jock for a boy and a jill for a girl. We provide the sweater and socks. Also required are skates and a hockey stick.

Q. Where will the games and practices be?
A. Games and practices will be at Cummer Park Recreation Centre arena (because of growth, some but very few, will also have to be at Oriole arena on Don Mills Rd south of Finch).

Q. Is Hockey Safe for my Child?
A. House League hockey at Hillcrest is “non-contact” and the playing rules are strictly enforced. Full protective equipment must be worn. House League hockey is in no way even close to what you see on TV. Our first concern is the safety of all the children that are playing hockey at Hillcrest.

Q. My daughter wants to play hockey. Can she play too?
A. At Hillcrest there is Girls Hockey and some girls also play ‘mixed’ hockey – with the boys. Hillcrest is one of the few organizations, in our area, that offers Girls Hockey and we strongly endorse and promote it. Hockey is just as fun for girls as it is for boys – in fact, more so because, with the other girls, they really enjoy the social aspect of being on the team.

Q. Our family likes to ski on weekends. Would that be a problem?
A. Hockey games and practices are on the weekends at Hillcrest so there would be a direct conflict with weekend skiing. We do try to balance our teams at each level so that, ideally, each team has an equal chance when they come to the arena. Balancing means that there is a player on the other team of equal ability to your child and as such, when you do not show up, it creates an imbalance. We know that there will be reasons for absences i.e. sickness and other family obligations but, if there will be regular absences, it is not really fair to the team and the other players.

Q. How much does the equipment cost?
A. This all depends on the size of the player and whether you are buying new or used. For a very young player, if you have the skates, stick and helmet, the cost could be less than you think.

Q. How much does playing hockey at Hillcrest cost?
A. Our hockey fees are indicated on our website. This price includes a game a week, a practice every other week, team sweaters and socks, an individual and team picture and a banquet at the end of the season.

Q. Is there Select Hockey at Hillcrest?
A. House League players are able to try out for the Select team at their own age, to play against teams from other hockey organizations in North York. They still play within the Hillcrest House League but these other games provide a higher level of competition. Hillcrest has a Select team at most levels and, in some instances, two teams at each level.

Q. What other levels of hockey are there?
A. House League is the entry point for hockey. Select Hockey is at a slightly higher level but still within House League hockey. There are several levels of higher competition found in the GTHL (Greater Toronto Hockey League) where there is ‘A’, ‘AA’ and ‘AAA’ hockey. Hillcrest has teams that play at ‘A’ and ‘AA’ levels at various age categories. These teams play around the GTA against other teams from other organizations at other arenas. Players try out for these teams and pay a fee set by each team. For the most part, unless your child shows the potential to play at this level, you will be unaware that it exists.

Q. Is my child good enough to play in the GTHL?
A. There are Hillcrest players that start in our House League and do move up to a GTHL team. Several come back to House league as well. It is hard to provide an answer to this but a definite measurement is whether your child is no longer challenged in House League. If he/she is skating around everyone and scoring many goals, with ease, then it is definitely time to move up. If he/she is still challenged at House League and/or House League Select level, it is probably a lot more fun for him/her to remain there and avoid the competitive pressures of the higher levels.

Q.  When I pay my registration fee to Hillcrest, where does the money go?

A.  Hillcrest Minor Hockey Association is a non-profit organization that tries to directly match registration fees and sponsorship payments with expenses of running the organization.

The biggest expense is Ice. We also have to pay timekeepers, referees and we have to pay for the sweaters and socks, pictures, banquets and trophies.

To understand and have a full explanation of the finances, the Annual General Meeting is the place to find out.