The Markham Waxers House League strives to ensure that players have a positive experience while learning Canada’s game. Our motto says it all, "Fun, Fitness, Friendship." Our programs are designed around meeting our goals of developing hockey skills, physical fitness, cooperative sportsmanship, social interaction, and enjoyment of the game of hockey.
The Waxers ensure that each team has a certified head coach, assistant coaches and hockey trainer. We are dedicated to developing our coaching and training staff. In addition to attending basic certification courses, coaches attend an annual Coach Clinic that gives them the skills and tools they need to run a successful house league season.
The hockey season spans from mid-September and through the end of March. It includes Rookie Camp, evaluations, exhibition games, regular season games, a home and away series with Whitchurch Stouffville Minor Hockey Association teams, playoffs, and Championship Weekend.
The season begins with a program unique to the Markham Waxers House League--Rookie Camp. Organized under the auspices of our"Yes, You Can Play" program, Rookie Camp is intended to make minor hockey more accessible and inviting to new participants. Walking into an arena for the first time can be intimidating, not only to the kids, but to the parents. The goal for Rookie Camp is to put everyone at ease and provide a positive start to their first ice hockey season.
Exhibition games kick off the season in mid-September. Players take to the ice to participate in a series of exhibition games to ensure balanced teams. Balancing is done after three weeks and we play an additional two weeks of exhibition games paired practices to ensure we got the balancing right. Regular season begins in mid-October.
Teams rotate through the division practice and game times.
In late October, player development clinics begin.
Players choose their number and receive their season jerseys in mid-November—just in time for team photos. Parents can purchase additional photo packages that will be delivered in time for Christmas. Individual photo make up day is in early January.
The regular season runs through January with playoffs starting in January/February, depending on the division. Playoffs are generally held as a round-robin tournament, culminating in a championship game between the two best playoff teams in each division in late March.
In mid-March the Markham Waxers say thank you to its volunteers and sponsors at the annual Volunteer and Sponsor Appreciation Night.
Registration for the following year opens in mid-April.