By Hockey Canada

CALGARY, Alta. – Hockey Canada has announced that more than 615,000 players were registered across the country for the 2025-26 season, marking the fifth-consecutive season of growth for hockey in Canada.

Women’s and girls’ hockey once again set a national record for participation, with over 121,000 women and girls registered across the country, marking a five per cent increase year-over-year.

Our National Winter Sport welcomed more than 71,000 new players this season and had the highest retention rate for U7-U15 players in Canadian history, with 91.1 per cent of participants returning to Hockey Canada-sanctioned programs.

The 2025-26 season had over 60,000 players, coaches and officials who identify as Black, Indigenous or Persons of Colour, which is the most ever recorded in Canada.

A record number of 9,447 players—including 4,002 girls—participated in the NHL/NHLPA First Shift, a low-cost introductory program that includes a set of Bauer equipment.

“The growth that hockey in Canada has experienced in the last five years is significant and meaningful, and we are grateful to all of the players, coaches, officials, administrators, volunteers and fans who have helped our sport continue to grow,” said Katherine Henderson, president and chief executive officer of Hockey Canada. “Together with our Members and partners, we are optimistic about the future of hockey in all corners of our country, and we are committed to providing all Canadians with environments that are safe, welcoming, inclusive and inspiring on and off the ice.”

At the 2026 PWHL Draft on June 17, 42 per cent of the players selected were Canadian, an increase of seven per cent from last year’s draft and 13 per cent higher than the 2024 draft.

Canadian players represented 30.9 per cent of the selections at the 2026 NHL Draft, the most of any country, including first-overall pick Gavin McKenna (Whitehorse, YT).

Full player, coach, official and bench staff registration data, including a detailed breakdown by Member and age division, will be shared as part of the Hockey Canada Annual Report in the fall.

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