TOP Hockey Club
competitive Rep Teams
TOP Hockey does things differently - offering a uniquely balanced hockey program for competitive hockey players and their families who want to play at the rep level while still playing other sports and not sacrificing overall lifestyle and time. Our program highlights a broader shift in minor hockey that encourages families, players, and coaches to pick the program that best aligns with their philosophy and core values, while still allowing kids to play other sports and be more efficient with their time during hockey season.
One of the biggest differentiators with TOP Hockey teams is our tournament-based schedule. Instead of the constant changes and unnecessary travel that come with a traditional league schedule, our model provides a predictable set schedule with three practices per week and tournaments on designated weekends throughout the season. TOP Hockey teams in Whitby play in independent tournaments based in Southern Ontario, all at the Rep 'A' level. Teams will play in 3–6 tournaments per year, plus compete in additional exhibition games scheduled against independent teams. Throughout the season, TOP Hockey teams will play around 25-30+ games depending on age, while encouraging kids to play other sports, ski in the winter, and have a more predictable schedule.
TOP Hockey is part of a multi-sport model that includes TOP Soccer and TOP Lacrosse. This means your family gets a consistent coaching philosophy, development approach, and schedule across sports, creating a true ecosystem for youth athletes who want the freedom to compete at a high level across multiple sports without the burden of conflicting schedules or competing philosophies.
Program Philosophy
What Makes TOP Hockey Different
- Efficient Schedule: 3× weekly practices, bi-weekly powerskating sessions, and goalie training included.
- Set Tournament Schedule: 3–6 tournaments per season; full-year set schedule from September to early April.
- Development-First: Strong development focus with ≈3:1 practice-to-game ratio.
- Professional Coaches: Professional, non-parent coaches and full-time Technical / Admin staff.
- Less Travel: Local Rinks, reasonable schedule, and dedicated tournament weekends.
- Multi-Sport Schedule: Only competitive club with a fully multi-sport friendly schedule.
Season Details
Program Structure
- Practices: Rep teams practice 3× per week; breaks over major holidays.
- Tournaments: Teams play between 3–6 tournaments per season, scaling as teams get older and more competitive.
- Holiday Breaks: Family-friendly holiday blackouts over Christmas, March Break, and Family Day weekend.
- Registration Fees: Include all practices, games, tournaments, coaching, referee fees, admin fees, player insurance, and more.
- Professional Coaches: All TOP Hockey coaches complete extensive training, background checks, and coaching courses.
- Specialty Training: Bi-weekly powerskating and goalie training sessions built into the regular season calendar.
How We Train
Practice Format & Structure
Each week, our teams utilize a combination of two different practice formats:
Shared-Ice Station Based Skill Development Practices
For station-based practices, players share the ice with another team and rotate through four focused skill development stations, each led by one of our professional coaches. Smaller groups mean more touches, repetitions, and direct coaching, helping players develop their skating, puck handling, passing, and shooting skills within our regular schedule, without families feeling the need to pay for extra classes or private lessons to keep up.
Practices also feature small-area games that replicate tight, fast-paced game situations, helping players develop quicker decision-making and more confident puck skills under pressure. Sharing the ice also helps manage rising ice costs and keep programming more affordable for families.
Full-Ice Systems and Tactics Practices
Teams also have the ice to themselves once or twice a week to focus on team play. Full-ice practices allow coaches to work on systems, positioning, breakouts, forechecking, and, at certain ages, special teams, helping players understand how their individual skills translate into five-player units and the flow of a full game.
Rather than relying on long lines and static drills, we use game-based learning and a constraints-led approach, adjusting rules, space, and player numbers so that the lessons we want to teach emerge naturally through play. Players learn to read, react to, and solve real game problems on their own, stay active and engaged, and have more fun, creating an environment where enjoyment and development go hand in hand.
Together, these formats give our players a balanced development path: strong individual fundamentals, sharp hockey sense built through game-like play, and a clear understanding of team tactics, all delivered in a way that makes the most of every dollar and every minute on the ice.
Darrin Lee
Head Coach
Darrin Lee is a highly experienced hockey coach, educator, and former professional player with over 25 years of coaching and player development experience. A passionate teacher and mentor, Darrin has built a reputation for developing athletes at every level from introductory skating to elite high-performance and varsity competition.
- 25+ years coaching experience in minor, varsity, and development hockey
- Former pro player (CHL, Colonial Hockey League, ECAC-W)
- OMHA Coaching Instructor (2009–Present) teaching curriculum and clinics
- Varsity Head Coach: Sinclair Secondary Boys & Girls Varsity Coach
- PE & Special Education teacher since 1998
Watch & Explore
Get to Know TOP Hockey
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FAQs
Common Questions
What are the benefits of a tournament-based schedule?
Our tournament-based schedule allows us to provide TOP Hockey families with a full overview of the whole season, including all practices and games, with very minimal changes and no rotating games. Depending on the age, teams play 4–5 tournaments per season plus additional exhibition games, resulting in 25–30 total games.
What level are TOP Hockey teams?
For the 2026-27 season, TOP Hockey teams will compete at the Single-A level, which is a non-contact division. The goal with TOP Hockey teams is to reach the 'AA' level by U14/U15, though we never promise a certain level of play as that depends on the ability of the team.
Are players required to purchase uniforms?
Yes, every two years TOP Hockey players purchase our uniform package (2× game jerseys, 2× hockey socks, 1× hockey bag). Additional apparel will be available for ordering during pre-season.
What teams do you play?
TOP Hockey Whitby is an independent hockey club with no affiliation with the OMHA, OHF, and Hockey Canada. TOP Hockey Whitby teams play in independent tournaments in the GTA and beyond, mainly through the ORHL and its affiliate teams.