CSSHL League Mission Statement: “To be National Leaders in Education-Based Hockey”
In 2009, five like-minded Hockey Canada Accredited Schools came together to launch the Canadian Sport School Hockey League. Their vision was to establish a league designed specifically for elite level student athletes, give these athletes an opportunity to increase their skills on and off the ice, and provide athletes with a high level of competition as well as exposure.
The inaugural 2009-10 season featured five sport schools and eight total teams spread across two divisions. During the 2024-25 season, the CSSHL will feature 37 Accredited Schools/Schools with Residence and 125 teams in eight different divisions.
All programs within the CSSHL are sanctioned Hockey Canada Accredited Schools, Schools with Residence, or Sanctioned by USA Hockey meeting the regulations of not only their National member, but their respective provincial, state or regional members.
The CSSHL continually strives to be a leader in education based hockey in North America. The objective of the league is to provide a competitive environment for young student athletes that share similar values of Sportsmanship, Citizenship, Academic Excellence and Hockey Development.
ACADEMICS
When the CSSHL was founded in 2009, the focus was not only placed on hockey but that education of young student athletes is of the utmost importance. Our programs have a structured yet supportive environment to help balance academic work loads.
With the uniquely structured academics and learned time management skills, the student athlete has the opportunity to chase their goals without compromising their education.
CHARACTER AND CITIZENSHIP
The CSSHL prides itself on not only developing student athletes on the ice, but also inspiring them off the ice. Student athletes leave our programs prepared for the next step in their life, whether it be post-secondary education, the work force, or wherever their path may take them. Off-ice conduct is taken very seriously in the CSSHL, from appearance to behaviour. Because of the standards we keep, we feel our student athletes come to us as teenagers, but leave as young adults.
DEVELOPMENT
The majority of games in the CSSHL take place on weekends. The CSSHL schedule consists of flex games between teams in the same regions, regional showcases, and division wide showcase. Regional flex games allow teams to play home-and-home games against teams within their travel demographic. Showcases weekends allow multiple teams to play in one location at a given time, maximizing exposure while cutting down on travel time, as well as school days missed.
Our student athletes are on the ice almost every day. During the week, student athletes take part in structural practices and skill development sessions. Each team works closely with their respective program’s strength and conditioning coach, as well as various other off ice seminars such as video work, mental training and nutrition.
