FAQ

Mission Statement?
“To be National Leaders in Education-Based Hockey”

What is Education-Based Hockey?
Education-based hockey focuses on the complete Student Athlete; Academic Excellence, Character, Citizenship, Sportsmanship and Hockey Development.

Is the CSSHL a sanctioned league?
Yes. All programs within the CSSHL are sanctioned by Hockey Canada or USA Hockey, along with their respective provincial or regional members (BC Hockey, Hockey Eastern Ontario, etc.)

What is the CSSHL’s response to COVID-19?

Hockey Canada on June 4 lifted the national ban on sanctioned activities and released their Return to Hockey Safety Guidelines in response to COVID-19.

The lifting of the ban on sanctioned activities allows each of the 13 Hockey Canada members the opportunity to work with local health authorities on return-to-hockey plans specific to their jurisdictions.

Currently, there are Hockey Canada Accredited Schools/Hockey Canada Schools with Residence competing in the located in eight separate Hockey Canada provincial or regional members: BC Hockey, Hockey Alberta, Saskatchewan Hockey Association, Hockey Manitoba, Ontario Hockey Federation, Hockey Eastern Ontario, Hockey Quebec, and Hockey P.E.I.

We will continue to monitor and follow the guidelines set out by each local health authority and Hockey Canada member. When it is deemed appropriate and safe, CSSHL members will return to training and competition under the applicable guidelines in each region.

I want to put a team in the CSSHL, what is the process?
The first step is to get approval from your provincial or regional member (BC Hockey, Hockey Eastern Ontario, etc.) and Hockey Canada. You will have to check with your regional member to see when their application deadline is and what information they will require for your application.

Once you start the application process with Hockey Canada and your provincial or regional member you can contact the CSSHL at info@csshl.ca for our application guidelines.

If your application isn’t approved by Hockey Canada and your provincial or regional member, you will not be considered for the CSSHL. If your application is approved by your provincial or regional member and Hockey Canada it doesn’t guarantee that you will be accepted into the CSSHL.

Further Reading:
Hockey Canada Program Policy
Hockey Canada Application Guidelines
Accredited School Benefits
Hockey Canada Provincial & Regional Members

How much does it cost to have my daughter/son in the CSSHL?
Each program is unique to one another. We advise you to do some research and find a CSSHL program that fits best for you and your aspiring student athlete. The cost of a program will vary depending on your needs and what programs will offer, such as room and board, transportation, food and hotels on team trips, equipment, apparel, etc.

Does my daughter/son have to attend a specific school, or can they go to school wherever they want?
Under Hockey Canada’s policy, CSSHL programs are required to have all of their student athletes attend one school that is aligned with the CSSHL program. In some cases, a program will also be aligned with a middle school if their high school does not offer younger grades (Grade 8 or 9) for U15 athletes.

This is what separates the CSSHL from other hockey programming. Having all students in a program attend one school allows for increased academic monitoring. Each program has a dedicated school liaison that works with students and coaches to ensure grades are being kept up. If a student athlete is not meeting their academic potential then they will be put onto an education plan and provided support until their grades reach their academic potential.

What does a typical day look like for a student in the CSSHL?
The structure of a day will vary depending on Program, but generally students will spend 75% of the school day in the classroom and the other 25% of the day will be for on and off-ice workouts. A student athletes training is typically completed by dinner each night which allows them to concentrate on their academics during the evening hours without getting interrupted for practices or training activities. The large majority of CSSHL games are played on weekends.

What are Showcase games?
Each team will attend select CSSHL Showcases each season. A CSSHL Showcase sees multiple teams (4-13) in one location playing three to four games on a weekend. This allows for reduced travel time, reduced classroom time missed and maximum exposure to scouts and coaches at the next level.

At a Showcase event, you generally will play teams that are the furthest away from you geographically, and then the remaining games of the schedule are played against your closest competitors.

Will my daughter/son have access to Certified Athletic Therapist?
Absolutely. Teams are required to have a Certified Athletic Therapist (CAT), Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Emergency Medical Responder (EMR), Sports Physiotherapists, Physiotherapists with Sport First Responder, NATA BoC Certified Athletic Trainers, Primary Care Paramedic (PCP) or medical doctor on the bench at all of their games. They are also required to have CAT’s on staff, or contracted out, to setup a student’s recovery plan and monitor their recovery process.

What about a doctor or dentist?
All programs must have a dedicated practice/person to supply medical and dental services to their student athletes.

How long are CSSHL games?
Our games are three, 20-minute stop time periods with an ice clean during the first and second intermission.

A five-minute three-on-three overtime period will take place in the event teams are tied at the end or regulation time and a three person shootout will take place if teams are tied after the overtime period.

Due to the potential for overtime, game slots are 2.25 hours in length.