June is Pride Month, dedicated to celebrating the LGBTQ+ community and acknowledging the battles they have fought to be heard, seen, and respected (a fight that still rages to this day).

In hockey, LGBTQ+ support has fluctuated over the years, as seen in the initial You Can Play initiative, followed by Pride jerseys and tape, which were subsequently banned (and later reinstated), and the community’s increased visibility with the release of Heated Rivalry. Most recently, USA Hockey has put in place sanctions that now restrict trans athletes at all levels, including recreational.

Now is a tough time for those in the community, and it’s more important than ever to find safe spaces. This piece will highlight the organizations, initiatives, and events that serve LGBTQ+ athletes, with a particular focus on the world of hockey and sport.

Please note that this article will be focused on hockey-related Canadian organizations in a non-exhaustive list. There may exist other LGBTQ+-inclusive leagues and initiatives in Canada or other countries. See Further Reading for lists of other known LGBTQ+ organizations.

Preview image: Photo by Marek Studzinski on Unsplash 

New Participant Eligibility Policy: USA Hockey

On November 15, 2025, USA Hockey approved a policy change:

This change is part of a broader adjustment to abide by directives from from the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee. According to USA Hockey. Under the guise of making hockey “fairer” for all players involved, it would only affect programs where gender is designated, meaning that co-ed teams would be unaffected.

But the question remains whether this change was necessary or not. There were already regulations in place for transgender athletes that still allowed them to play, that which this policy is officially suspending. The Transgender Athlete Eligibility Policy allowed trans athletes to participate in the gender category of their choosing, as long as they followed the indicated medical procedures and documentation. But now, the new regulations appear to bar trans athletes from participating in their preferred leagues entirely. Harrison Browne, the first openly transgender athlete to play pro-level hockey, noted that policy seems to ban trans men from participating entirely in certain leagues. Not only are trans men unable to play in men's leagues, but they can no longer go back to women’s leagues if they’ve taken any male hormone therapy at all.

Defining "Fairness"

The biggest argument against transgender athletes in hockey (and sports in general) is primarily around the suggestion of “fairness” in sport. It follows a notion that transgender athletes could potentially have physical advantages over their cisgender counterparts due to how their bodies are naturally built, overall making the playing field unfair.

But what is a “fair” playing field? Rules and policies exist to make everything as fair as possible, but then there’s the question of whether sports have always been “fair” to begin with. Outside of the discourse that “trans people shouldn’t play sports within their desired group because of biological differences,” we tend to forget that sports are already decidedly unfair in a variety of other categories. The biggest hurdles that plague athletes have nothing to do with physical differences, but rather opportunity and access, which are more likely to be hindered by one’s financial situation, race, gender, and sometimes overall luck.

Players cannot develop into elite athletes without the right coaches, environment, and support. But to get there generally requires money, a good family, and the right opportunities. Hockey can be expensive, and not just equipment-wise. Without funding and support to access camps, coaching, nutrition, and medical care, it becomes much more difficult to compete, regardless of gender identity or physical build.

Some people may have just been born with advantageous (or disadvantageous) features. Michael Phelps is often cited as an example, and understandably so. He certainly had the drive for swimming—which helps immensely with performance—but he also had various physical traits that helped him gain an edge on his competition. He has a longer-than-average torso and wingspan compared to others of his height, while also having shorter legs and double-jointed elbows, all of which make it easier for him to push through the water. His lactic acid buildup is half that of other swimmers, and his lung capacity is extremely high, at 12 litres compared to the usual six of an average person, meaning he recovers much faster. All these physically anomalous traits are championed in the athletic world—even if they arguably also gave him an unfair advantage in his sport.

In hockey, under the new policy, even adult recreational leagues would need to abide by the new eligibility rules. Yet adult recreational leagues already separate players by skill and physicality in separate divisions. If the goal is fair competition, and the system already achieves that, then there is no basis for excluding transgender athletes from their respective, preferred divisions.

Suggested reading: Let Us Play: Winning the Battle for Gender Diverse Athletes by Harrison Browne and Rachel Browne

But Why is Talking About Trans Athletes Important Right Now?

People naturally fear what they can’t fully understand. Although the policy change still allows trans athletes to search for co-ed leagues, that narrative may still miss the point; transphobic players and league organizers may still exist in co-ed hockey leagues. Even if trans athletes are allowed on co-ed teams, they may still face discrimination from opponents or even their own teammates, ultimately driving many to quit the sport. It's the same crossroads that virtually all LGBTQ+ players encounter when entering the hockey space.

Transgender people are one of the most marginalized groups globally, and historically have been slotted in as scapegoats when the real issues lie elsewhere. Sudden policy changes, such as the USA Hockey Participant Eligibility Policy, have done more harm than good and leave many of these athletes without a home. That’s one big reason inclusive leagues are so important—and with the political environment today, it’s now especially crucial that safe spaces continue to exist.

Many leagues now, especially with this new USA Hockey policy change on “equality in sport,” are pushing forward a movement to ban transgender athletes to participate almost entirely, despite there being very little evidence to support how their participation would affect the “fairness” or safety of the sport. Had it been an issue, we would have seen players like Jessica Platt, a transwoman who played in the CWHL, outright dominating professional women’s leagues—but that was never the case.

Rarely do transgender athletes dominate consistently or by a wide enough margin to outweigh the fairness factors covered in the previous section. Additionally when they do win, the response is not met with celebration, but with scrutiny—and their success is often weaponized to suggest that all transgender athletes have an unfair advantage. If Jessica Platt played today and scored a hat trick in just one game midway through the season, some fans would be outraged.

In terms of safety, it’s people in places of power who are documented to pose the most potential threat to players (see We Breed Lions in Further Reading), not transgender athletes, and trans athletes are much more likely to experience violence compared to cisgender athletes. Harrison Browne, the first pro hockey player to come out openly as trans back in 2016, has talked about how he feels much more comfortable in a female hockey dressing room rather than a male dressing room, not because of his gender identity exactly, but because the hockey culture between the two tends to be vastly different from each other. The difference can even be observed at the highest level; while the NHL hasn’t had any openly LGBTQ+ players (active or retired; and is the only major sports league with this distinction), the PWHL has 36 (as of the 25/26 season). Some leagues, mostly in the east, have recently begun implementing programs and additional education to improve the environment. These initiatives are still new and are unfortunately not yet provided across all leagues.

There’s been progress on racial barriers, with hockey registration numbers rising for people of colour over the years—though there’s still plenty of work to be done. The same upward trend, however, has not exactly been seen for LGBTQ+ players. Many start playing but quit early, often because they feel unsafe within their organizations or teams.

Inclusive leagues and representation are so important, more so than we may think. Although people today are generally more supportive than in the past, that doesn't mean the fight is over. 

Mental Health

You’ve heard this before: that an athlete is “just having a bad day/week/month,” or “they’re in a bit of a slump.” Getting out of that slump is difficult because it’s all about the mental game. We’ve known for a long time that mental health and our state of mind can affect our ability to perform on the ice or field; studies into this are well-documented, and ignoring this aspect of the game can easily lead to worsening mental health complications, injury, and overall health and performance decline.

So, how does one keep their mental health game up? Well, the easiest strategies for all athletes are exercising regularly, having good nutrition and hydration, and sleeping well. Athletes can also include relaxation activities (breathing, meditiation, etc.), mental and wellness exercises, and keep a journal to record their goals. And then, just as importantly, there’s having a support system.

Studies have found that athletes who play individual sports are more likely to feel symptoms of depression than those in team sports, which ties back to having a good support system. Team sports come with, as the name implies, a team—players whom you can rely on to have your back, hold you accountable, and even just hang out with as friends. A good team isn’t just there to win, but to achieve something amazing as a group. Individual sports athletes may have their coaches, parents, and close friends for support, but not much else.

The problem in team sports is that even with a built-in support system, it still needs to include a welcoming environment; otherwise, it's not really a “support” system at all. Unfortunately, many hockey dressing rooms and teams run rampant with homophobic and misogynistic language and beliefs, making it hostile for LGBTQ+ players. These teams may also have coaches who either turn a blind eye or even participate in the “locker room talk.” LGBTQ+ athletes are also often unable to talk about LGBTQ+-related issues with their family or friends, which would then include how they may potentially feel unsafe or unwelcome on their hockey team. Without even the most basic of support systems, LGBTQ+ hockey players face a heightened risk of mental health struggles and burnout, often leading them to walk away from the sport… and sometimes, the consequences go further beyond the rink.

Inclusive Hockey

Creating a proper environment for athletes to develop mentally is just as important as providing the right training and equipment—and that includes fostering acceptance and inclusion. LGBTQ+ athletes thrive the most when they are allowed to live and be themselves, without judgment.

Inclusive leagues and teams allow LGBTQ+ athletes an opportunity to thrive and finally belong in a sport that may not have been so nice to them before. These programs foster a more welcoming environment where these athletes can feel included and just safe to be themselves. Much of this discussion has been around transgender athletes, since they have been at the core of the debate as of late, but it extends to the LGBTQ+ community as a whole. So far, many inclusive leagues, teams, initiatives, and events have been very successful in bringing LGBTQ+ athletes back into the sport they love. And for those worried about fairness, you will notice that many LGBTQ+ teams include skill rankings with definitions, which allow players to determine where they best fit based on skill, not identity.

Other articles on the history of marginalized groups in hockey:

National Indigenous Peoples Day - A History of Canadian Indigenous Peoples and Hockey

Pride Month - Hockey is for Everyone

Changing the Game: A Quick Look at the PWHL and Women's Hockey

Black History Month - Rediscovering Canada's Forgotten Hockey History

Pioneers on Ice: Celebrating Asian Heritage Month in Hockey

From the Screen to the Ice: The Cultural Impact of Heated Rivalry

LGBTQ+ Hockey Teams and Leagues

Please note that many leagues are currently past their registration date but are accepting players on a waitlist.

Many of these leagues include the same general guidelines. An emphasis on respectful language in the dressing room, being respectful of pronouns, and all-gender changerooms are common rules you will find in LGBTQ+ teams and leagues.

Vancouver Cutting Edges

You’ve likely seen the Vancouver Cutting Edges’ jersey making the rounds if you’ve followed Heated Rivalry’s impact on LGBTQ+ athletes, as it’s the one Jesse Korteum wore when he shared his story and came out to the world as gay on social media. The Cutting Edges is an LGBTQ+ adult hockey association based in Vancouver, BC with lots of history behind it.

Building an LGBTQ+ hockey team in Vancouver wasn’t easy; the first team, the Real Puckers, were a group of players assembled by Daniel Gawthrop to compete in Celebration ‘90: Gay Games III and Cultural Festival. The team had been tough to build in general, almost prompting Gawthrop to give up altogether. In 1994, with help from Kevin Griffin, the push to build a team was revived, now with more advertising and a brand-new name and logo. The name “Cutting Edges” was born from a player’s remark upon learning they’d have to join a straight league: “That would be really cutting edge.”

Their publicity jumped even further when they were unexpectedly featured on CBC Hockey Night in Canada’s “Coach’s Corner,” when Don Cherry read some of Gawthrop’s published comments from the local paper. Cherry would later mention the team by name in another episode.

The Cutting Edges have since expanded and now consist of four teams, with many spares and a large waitlist. They have participated in a variety of leagues, tournaments, and celebrations, including the UBC league, ASHL, the Pacific Cup, and the NHL Unites Pride Cup.

Toronto Gay Hockey Association (TGHA)

With 20 teams across four divisions—and about 300 regular players and growing—the TGHA is one of the largest LGBTQ+ hockey leagues in the world. Founded in 1994, the league aims to create a safe, welcoming, and friendly environment for hockey players to just play the sport they love, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Registration is open to anyone 19-plus in the community, whether LGBTQ+ or supportive allies.

In addition to having a regular hockey season, TGHA teams also participate in various Pride events, including Pride parades, social events, and multiple local and international LGBTQ+ hockey tournaments. The league also hosts shinny games and skill development camps. In the fall over Thanksgiving weekend, the TGHA hosts a Friendship Tournament, with participating teams from across North America.

Calgary Flare and the Calgary Inclusive Hockey Association (CIHA)

Finding an LGBTQ+ community in hockey can be difficult in certain spaces, something that players in the Calgary queer sport community have had to contend with since the ‘90s.

Over the past few years, Calgary’s LGBTQ+ sports community has been hard at work bringing everyone together into one unified space. The Calgary Villagers and the Calgary Pioneers—once two separate organizations—merged into the Calgary Flare, which now consists of three teams: Flare Sol, Flare Luna, and Flare Terra. Together, they’ve created a structure of inclusivity while still maintaining a competitive and balanced environment, operating officially under the Calgary Inclusive Hockey Association.

The Flare looks to both build and empower the LGBTQ+ athletic community, helping many return to the sport after being driven away due to harassment and bullying. They host and participate in a variety of events, including tournaments like the Western Cup (which they host in conjunction with Apollo Sports), community skates, skills sessions, and other social events like PWHL watch parties. The Calgary Flare also include a scholarship program, making it possible for athletes to continue playing while attending university.

Dragons de Montréal

Les Dragons de Montréal is an inclusive hockey league that has been operating since 1991, intending to connect LGBTQ+ players of all ages to enjoy hockey in a healthy and safe environment. What began as one player seeking a more respectful environment—and seventeen others who answered an ad for a friendly game—has since branched out into a full hockey league.

They host a regular winter season consisting of 4-5 teams and the standard 25-27 games, played weekly on Fridays. But hockey and community don’t just end there for the Dragons; between May and August, they also host drop-in games on Friday nights and greatly encourage new players to try these sessions out when first getting into the sport.

Ottawa Pride Hockey

Ottawa Pride Hockey is relatively new compared to the other leagues on this list. It started with two friends in 2020, but it has quickly grown into a great space for athletes of all identities and skill levels to return to the sport, without fear of discrimination. The team has expressed how they want their association to be a safe space for players to just “be” on the ice, without any pressure toward identity, labels, or coming out.

This hockey association includes an Inclusive League for seasonal hockey, scrimmages for all skill levels and ages, and even some beginner skills sessions for those who’ve always wanted to try hockey but may not have been entirely comfortable jumping right into the deep end. Their beginner skill sessions aren’t only for beginners either; they’re also great for those returning to hockey after a long time off. These sessions are designed to be low-stress, where players can learn techniques and strategy in an inclusive and welcoming environment.

Ottawa Pride Hockey is represented by a unique otter mascot and logo, chosen for its playful and mischievous nature. The logo was designed by local queer artist, Ehren English, with consultation from a local Two-Spirit Knowledge Keeper and Storyteller.

Halifax Mussels

The Halifax Mussels operate as a supportive and welcoming hockey organization for all players, 2SLGBTQIA+ and allies alike. Their philosophy focuses on support and inclusivity—they don’t just make a safe space, but go above and beyond to build a full hockey community that cultivates a space where everyone can feel like they belong. The Mussels’ community reaches beyond the players themselves; it includes volunteers who organize schedules and events, coaches who help athletes refine their skills, and ally players who also take to the ice with their respective teams.

The team organizes a variety of programs, many of which we’ve seen in other associations: scrimmage nights, leagues, and some learn-to-play initiatives to help beginner and developing players try their hand at the sport. At this time, the skill range for playing with the Halifax Mussels is between beginner and lower intermediate.

Unique and first-of-its-kind both locally and globally, the Premiere Queer Hockey League (PQHL) is the Halifax Mussels’ youth program, designed as a safe, skills-focused league for teen 2SLGBTQIA+ players. The Mussels recognized that creating a league for youth players is crucial, as these years are often when young queer and gender-diverse athletes start to feel unwelcome or unsafe in the dressing room. Thus, the PQHL is there for these players to connect with a more inclusive community while still enjoying the game they love.

Queer Hockey Hamilton (QHH)

QHH is a queer hockey organization located in Hamilton, ON, offering a safe and fun place for players in the 2SLGBTQ+ community to both play and further develop their skills. The league is open to players of all skill levels, and they also have a summer ball hockey program, a development program, and a schedule of shinny games.

QHH’s Skills + Drills program provides on-ice sessions with real coaches for players of all levels. They are designed for athletes to work on their skating, stickhandling, and game awareness in an inclusive and non-judgmental space. These sessions are also great for building confidence on the ice and with their teammates, and are another avenue for athletes to meet other LGBTQ+ players in the community.

Other Canadian Hockey Teams and Leagues

Edmonton Rage

Queer Hockey Nova Scotia (QHNS)

LGBTQ+ Hockey Initiatives and Tournaments

Please note that most tournaments for this year may already be full for registration, have already ended, or don’t occur until later in the year.

You Can Play

You Can Play began in hockey, though it has since expanded well beyond the sport. Founded in 2012 by Patrick Burke, Brian Kitts, and Glenn Witman, the primary goal of the initiative is to eradicate homophobia and transphobia in sport, starting with fighting against “casual homophobia” within the dressing room. Casual homophobia can refer to small things, like describing things derogatorily as “gay” or playing to specific stereotypes; even if they are jokes, they can still be hurtful to LGBTQ+ individuals, make it more difficult for them to open up and find support, and can eventually drive them away from the sport.

Through various partnerships across different sports, leagues, and schools, You Can Play provides education and resources that aim to shift locker room talk and culture toward focusing on athletes’ talent, work ethic, and character, rather than who they love or how they identify.

Patrick Burke’s brother, Brendan Burke, was a student manager for the Miami University RedHawks and ex-athlete who came out as gay to his family in 2007, the RedHawks in 2009, and then the world that same year. Brendan spent his time after coming out to speak against homophobia in sport and advocate for a more accepting and safe environment for LGBTQ+ athletes. Sadly, he passed away in a car crash in 2010. Patrick and their father, the former well-renowned general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Brian Burke, continued his legacy of advocacy. You Can Play was launched as a direct tribute to Brendan Burke.

Alphabet Sports Collective (ASC)

Alphabet Sports Collective is a queer-led, not-for-profit organization similar to You Can Play (though a bit newer and with a main focus on hockey), which focuses on not just supporting the 2SLGBTQIA+ hockey community, but also celebrating and inspiring them to reach their highest potential. ASC collaborates with numerous partners, travels around to host meetups and educational opportunities, and participates in various hockey events throughout the country. Respect, integrity, and authenticity are only a few of the core values they strive to bring to every event they take part in.

ASC’s main focus is within the hockey community, and not just players, but anyone—whether they want to get into managing, media, or coaching, ASC is there to give that extra confidence and put them in the right direction. And it makes sense when you look back at its origins.

In 2020, Bayne Pettinger, a hockey agent for Hockey Canada who worked with numerous teams at the national level, came out gradually on Instagram, then publicly in an article in The Athletic. He received a good number of positive responses, including that from Connor McDavid and Sidney Crosby. Through his experiences, he learned that it starts with creating and providing support, showing both the hockey world and the queer athletes within that hockey can be a more welcoming and safer space if we can all learn to coexist and support one another. That’s why he and a group started Alphabet with Brock McGillis—the first openly gay pro-level hockey player—in 2023.

The Pacific Cup - Vancouver Cutting Edges

Founded in Vancouver and hosted by the Cutting Edges, the Pacific Cup is an annual LGBTQ+ hockey tournament that uses the sport to celebrate Pride Month and build community. Unlike most standard tournaments, players don’t register on teams, but enter into a “draft.”

Players and goalies sign up and are “drafted” to different teams based on skill level (self-evaluated between 6-1) and position. A Team Skill Rating (TSR) is assigned and maintained throughout the draft, ensuring each team is as balanced as possible. Some players may be moved between teams during the team evaluation step if rebalancing is necessary. Same with their regular season teams, the Cutting Edges include skill level descriptions for self-evaluation during balancing.

Of course, drafts and the anticipation of seeing your placement can be exciting by themselves, but the organizers also want their players to be as comfortable as possible. As such, athletes are allowed to register with a “Buddy,” which is a player you want to be assigned on a team with, and/or a “Wishlist group,” which is a small group you would prefer to stick with (please note that nothing is guaranteed).

The Western Cup - Calgary Flare and Apollo

The Western Cup is a queer multi-sport festival run by the Calgary Flare and Apollo Friends in Sports every spring long weekend in Calgary, AB, with sports ranging from hockey to soccer, and even to dodgeball and functional fitness. Social events are held at night, adding extra excitement and fun to the celebration. Hockey players receive swag bags, and uniforms are provided. Similar to the Pacific Cup, the hockey events include draft-style rosters.

Apollo is a volunteer-run non-profit that brings 2SLGBTQ+ athletes together to compete and connect in a safe, inclusive environment. The team was founded in 1981 by a small group who wanted an athletic social group where participants could simply show up and be themselves, at a time when sport rarely felt like a safe space for queer people. Apollo has expanded enormously since their first meeting, now as an organization with over 400 members.

Canada Cup - CAN/AM, Dragons de Montréal, and TGHA

The Canada Cup is an annual LGBTQ+ hockey tournament that takes place in October around Canadian Thanksgiving, organized by either the Dragons de Montréal or the Toronto Gay Hockey Association (TGHA). The two leagues alternate on hosting duties depending on the year, and may co-host with other groups. The tournament has brought together not just Canadian teams, but American teams as well to participate. Unlike the Western and Pacific Cups, the Canada Cup registration is by team.

The tournament is open to adult teams and includes multiple divisions, depending on skill and competition desired, and every division's Gold Medal team receives a banner to hang in their respective home arenas. Similar to the previously mentioned tournaments, the Canada Cup includes options and packages for hotel accommodations, along with a featured hotel.

Other Canadian tournaments and initiatives to look out for

HFX Pride Cup - Halifax, NS

NHL Unites Pride Cup

Final Thoughts

Inclusion is more than just saying “hockey is for everyone.” It’s putting it into action—that means catching yourself before saying something potentially disrespectful in the dressing room, opening up your mind to other people’s realities and hardships, and bringing others into your circle, regardless of their skill, race, sexual orientation, or gender identity. When we shift the focus away from our differences to the game itself, hockey becomes much more enjoyable for everyone.

We hope everyone has had a wonderful Pride Month!

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