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 student athletes, giving them an opportunity to improve their skills on and off the ice and providing them with high-level competition and exposure.
The inaugural 2009-10 season featured five sports schools and eight total teams spread across two divisions. During the 2025-26 season, the CSSHL will feature 38 Accredited Schools/Schools with Residence and 129 teams across eight 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 who 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 also on the education of young student-athletes. Our programs have a structured yet supportive environment to help balance academic workloads.
With the uniquely structured academics and learned time management skills, the student-athlete can pursue their goals without compromising their education.
CHARACTER AND CITIZENSHIP
The CSSHL prides itself not only on developing student athletes on the ice but also on inspiring them off the ice. Student athletes leave our programs prepared for the next step in their lives, whether that be post-secondary education, the workforce, or wherever their path may lead. Off-ice conduct is taken very seriously in the CSSHL, from appearance to behaviour. Because of the standards we set, 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 showcases. Regional flex games allow teams to play home-and-home games against teams within their travel demographic. Showcases allow multiple teams to play in one location at a given time, maximizing exposure while reducing travel time and school days missed.
Our student-athletes are on the ice almost every day. During the week, student-athletes take part in structured practices and skill development sessions. Each Team works closely with their respective program’s strength and conditioning coach, as well as with various off-ice seminars on video work, mental training, and nutrition.
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