Individual players who are not associated with a regular season team have two options to join the GTHLA:
- Play in an Intermingle league – the next Mingle takes place from March to May 2025. Individual registration for Mingle will open in February 2025.
- Play in Wanderers games taking place between September 2024 and February 2025.
You must become a Member of the GTHLA to take part in either or both of these Individual Play options — see ‘How to Become a Member’ below.
Primer and Background to GTHLA Membership
The GTHLA is the South-Central Ontario (150 km radius of Toronto) Chapter of the Hockey Association of the Arts. The Principles, core values and mission of the HAA can be read here.
The GTHLA was founded on principles and values of sportsmanship, fun, safety, collaboration, imagination, creative expression, community, social awareness, inclusion, equity, communication, responsibility, empathy, participation, understanding, being proactive and trust. Every team and player must promote them. We expect players and teams to take responsibility for their actions on and off the ice. We expect common respect for everyone. It is important to acknowledge that offenses are often accidental, but no matter what, retaliation is even more inexcusable and will often escalate the situation. A sincere apology after fouling someone is necessary.
Referees are present to supervise official games, and it is important to accept that they cannot see the entire surface of play and may not be able to witness every infraction. Players’ interaction should be no different in an official game then in a pick-up game without referees.
The team is the primary authority in maintaining discipline and promoting these ideals amongst its players. Specifically, fighting, roughing, verbal abuse and harmful stick-work are not part of GTHLA games. We do not have any patience for it and it is not welcome. It is the team’s responsibility to filter out all of these unacceptable elements by not allowing certain players to play and preventing any on-ice confrontations.
If there are any issues with missed infractions or consistent unsportsmanlike behaviour from specific opposing players, it must be indicated to your own captain, who can then discuss it further with the referees and/or opposing captains during the game. After the game, the team can discuss issues with league officials and opposing team captains and managers to increase understanding within the framework of the league’s values and mission. Finally, every team must demand discipline from their own players before they expect more from others.
You can read all the GTHLA rules here. Our rules include some of the following stipulations:
1. There is no intentional body contact permitted.
2. Half or full visors or cages are mandatory.
For Games…
1. We play without the centre red line. Automatic Icing is called from behind the blue line.
2. If a team is short-handed on the ice due to a penalty, they can only substitute when the puck is in play or the clock is stopped.
3. Players are only permitted to receive up to 4 minutes in penalties in a game. If they receive more, they are ejected from the game and will be reviewed to assess whether more discipline is warranted.
To join, you have to be aware of and commit to all the “GTHLA Membership Expectations” written out here.
How to Become a Member of the GTHLA as an Individual
The Individual Player Membership fee is $27 (HST included), payable to ‘Good Times Hockey League of the Arts’ at finance@hockeyaa.net
You must also complete and submit the GTHLA Player and Member Agreement found here.
With membership, members have access to the following…
- You can participate in our perpetual League intermingle series. With our league intermingles, we draft players from our membership who signed up and create new teams. The teams then participate in a round robin series of games over the course of a few months. THE NEXT MINGLE IS IN MARCH 2025! REGISTRATION WILL OPEN IN FEBRUARY 2025.
- You can participate in Wanderers games — a game-by-game roster based on individual sign-ups in advance of the game. Wanderers games schedule can be found here.
- You will be put on our Subs list database. Let us know the position(s) you want to play and email address and/or phone number you want to be contacted at by teams looking for substitutes.
- A network of like-minded hockey and Arts enthusiasts.
- Community-minded, safe and fun league culture. Many friendships have been formed and deepened through the GTHLA.
Once we have received your completed GTHLA Player and Member Agreement Form and payment of $27, you will be a member.
We reserve the right to revoke any membership privileges without refund if any player violates the league’s principles and mandate for fun safe community hockey.