FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT DOES IT COST?
Once fees are set for a given season they are published on this website. Each season fees are subject to change based on changes to ice costs, insurance costs and the cost of officials...to name a few items.
Fees for the 2025/26 Season
Tryout Fee (U9-U18) - $75
Fundamentals (2021, 2020, 2019) - $200
U7 (2020, 2019) Base Fee $500
U9 (2028, 2017) Base Fee $910
U11 (2016, 2015) Base Fee - $1010 + Competitive team fee* $165
U13 (2014, 2013) Base Fee - $1160 + Competitive team fee* $165
U15 (2012, 2011) Base Fee - $1160
U18 (2010, 2009, 2008) Base Fee - $1310
U22 (2004-2010) Base Fee - $725
*Competitive fee: For those U11-U18 players who are successful in their bid for a spot on a tier 1 team. This is used for extra ice time.
In addition to the above fees, all teams will have additional team fees! Once they are formed, teams will also collect funds for an account to cover costs such as tournaments, additional ice time, year end team parties etc. A team meeting will be held to set the amount needed as well as fundraising or other ways to raise the funds needed typically around $250 to $500 per player.
WHEN IS REGISTRATION?
Registration for U11-U18 tryouts opens in March. The earlier you register the better for our association to plan on many things like number of teams at each level and how much ice time we need to book with the city.
Registration for Fundamentals, U7 and U9 opens mid July.
IS THERE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Please visit our Financial Assistance page
WHAT EQUIPMENT IS REQUIRED?
Equipment List:
● CSA approved Helmet with face cage (clear or wire)
● neck protector
● mouth guard (not mandatory but recommended)
● shoulder pads
● elbow pads
● hockey gloves
● knee/shin pads
● hockey skates
● athletic jill for girls
● hockey pants
● hockey socks*
● hockey jersey**
● garter or shorts to hold socks up
● hockey stick
● hockey tape (for stick and socks)
* The association supplies socks for all players
** U11-U18 Players are required to purchase their own St. Thomas Panthers game jerseys (both home away) through our preferred equipment supplier, London's Source for Sports - Teamworks. The association supplies game jerseys for all U7-U9 players.
WHEN DO THEY PLAY AND PRACTICE?
Game and practice times are not always consistent. Each year it depends on our registration numbers as well as the ice times we receive from the city. We strive to get each team an ice time from Monday to Friday and an ice time Saturday or Sunday. Most teams will play an away game once a week, usually on weekends but some may be during the week.
HOW LONG IS THE SEASON?
The playing season runs from generally September to March. Tryouts for U11-U18 start after the Easter weekend and can run until the end of May. U9 evaluations start in September. Depending on a team's performance during the season they could be playing in Provincial finals into early April.
HOW FAR DO WE TRAVEL
Our teams play in 2 leagues depending on level of competition and coach's decision, Western Ontario Girls Hockey League and OWHL Southern. Both leagues have a travel area of two hours, but many games are within a one hour drive of St. Thomas.
DO YOU HAVE A PLAYER ICE TIME POLICY
Yes. All coaches of local league teams will ensure equal ice time. All coaches of competitive teams will ensure fair share of ice time for complete team development.