Downtown Mens Hockey League (DMHL) | Reviews and information

May 14, 2018 – 10:04am — Davey J (non member)

Wow what a disaster and jerk that **** **** (commissioner) is. All he cares about is your money – not the safety of anyone in the league. I hope a good league takes over these rinks and actually runs it professionally

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May 15, 2018 – 9:30am — Paul Ash (non member)

I have to agree with your comments, but it seems to be the only league in downtown TO. We tolerate the league convenor, knowing that he’s just a paid employee with a job to do.
You’d likely be miserable if you were stuck with dealing with all of us dumb hockey players LOL

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April 18, 2018 – 6:08pm — Adrian Gho (non member)

This league is brutal.
21 games and 2 playo games or $2000/team more than other leagues that play up to 26 games plus minimum 4 playoff games.
Of those 21 games, other team defaulted 3 times, my team no-showed once.
Games scheduled at 630pm at Ricoh and 6pm at Mattamy are impossible to get to on a good day…..add snow and forget it.
Add in 3 11pm games that are too late and you have a very expensive hockey season on a cost per game basis

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January 18, 2018 – 1:04pm — Plug (non member)

Broken bones, fights, goons, no roster ID checks, no upholding of rules or suspensions, Checked out Refs, and one guy paralyzed. Throw in a little “hockey” and that about sums it up.

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April 4, 2018 – 1:28pm — Joey H (non member)

Rules: http://www.dmhl.ca/hockey/rules.aspx
Your cheque clears the bank….you’re in…thats the only rule
Out on bail—-ok
Thrown out of every league in GTA —-ok
Tried to behead a guy last week —ok

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January 26, 2018 – 5:06pm — Adrian G (non member)

Sounds like the DMHL Tuesday night league at MLG!
#gongshow

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February 7, 2018 – 9:25am — Sammy (non member)

So many bad reviews and a low rating for this league.
Do they get everyone for one season?
Isnt there anywhere else to play in downtown Toronto?
There should be a Better Business Bureau for hockey.

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March 30, 2018 – 1:37pm — Callum M (non member)

Theres much better leagues around.\
Monday nights at Upper Canada College.(Toronto Sports and Social Club)
Bill Bolton men league
ScotiaBank Pond
Chesswood
Westwood
Pavilion
Google them and get out of this league LOL

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May 31, 2017 – 7:53pm — Hugh G (non member)

This league in one word?

BRUTAL

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June 1, 2017 – 5:20pm — Hal (non member)

Discouraging?

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June 2, 2017 – 9:41am — Tim R (non member)

Sad

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June 17, 2017 – 1:42pm — Rick Borg (non member)

Goldmine!

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August 18, 2017 – 12:33pm — Ian M (non member)

Dangerous

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November 15, 2017 – 3:02pm — Adrian G (non member)

Cashgrab

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November 30, 2017 – 6:32pm — Oren E (non member)

Infuriating!

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April 20, 2017 – 6:24pm — Justin V (non member)

Just finished our first (and last) season in DMHL. We thought the ASHL was bad. Three or four players didn’t finish the season due to injury as a result of deliberate actions by opposing players. One of them suffered fractured vertebrae and will never play again (the opposing player got a two minute penalty)
Good luck if you are considering this league #buyerbeware

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February 16, 2017 – 9:41am — Sam R (non member)

Quit bitching about this league.
Just go play somewhere else better.
There are much better, much cheaper leagues, playing more games at better rinks with better game times and better refs.
Just look around.

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October 29, 2015 – 6:18pm — Sid R (non member)

This league has a problem! Its BYOB every night
AA for all players Saturdays 8pm at St Lukes Church!
Any alcoholic beverages on the team bench will result in ‘Team Expulsion’ from the league. No glass bottles of any sort are allowed on the bench. Alcohol is prohibited in all arenas. Any problems resulting from alcohol on arena property will lead to expulsion from the league without refund. All arenas have requested that the DMHL ensure that teams playing in the DMHL will not bring alcohol to the arenas. Tailgating is considered drinking on the property and is strictly forbidden. If any one single player or group of players is found to have had alcohol in the dressing room or out on the property grounds, they will be given a warning and issued a 4min team penalty for Abuse of Facility to start the next game. Automatic. A second offence will have the players in question reprimanded and/or suspended depending on the situation. This second offence will also see a 4min team penalty for Abuse of Facility to start each period for the next 2 games. Automatic. There is no discussion regarding this decision. Over and above this, should the arena management decide to further enforce some form of disciplinary action, they are entitled to do so and the DMHL will support this decision. Your cooperation in this sensitive area is appreciated

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November 24, 2015 – 11:24am — James L (non member)

The league only does this because the arenas they use have threatened to cancel their ice due to beer cans and bottles in dressing rooms, players drinking in lobby and parking lot etc. Especially bad when kids teams are in the arenas at the same time.

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August 26, 2014 – 11:51am — Amy (non member)

TOTAL BS!!!!!
Welcome to the DMHL website, the Downtown Men’s (and Women’s) Hockey League. The premier recreational hockey league in Toronto and the GTA for those hockey starved male and female athletes out there looking for an organized league with plenty of options that lets them play their favourite game.

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August 10, 2016 – 8:54pm — Sandra S (non member)

How this league is still in business is beyond me. I played in the womens league and it was a disaster. Players all quit and they were forced to cancel the womens league. Yet, they still advertise it on their site.
Mens league continues despite high price, crazy schedule and arrogant staff.

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June 7, 2016 – 11:40am — Gina (non member)

Mens AND womens…..don’t think so

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April 21, 2015 – 8:56am — Sandra (non member)

Its true. They couldn’t keep a womens league going.
You dont just collect the money and throw together a schedule.
No goalies.
Teams unbalanced.
Players paid big money and were so pissed they quit showing up.
We tried to get our money back but it wasnt happening

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June 23, 2014 – 11:13am — Lorne G (non member)

ARROGANCE TO THE EXTREME

CANT EVEN RUN A WOMENS WINTER PROGRAM

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May 15, 2014 – 4:49pm — Sam S (non member)

$8500 per team for 22 games is criminal.

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February 13, 2017 – 10:43am — Syl S (non member)

Agreed….but if teams will pay…they can charge what they want

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January 10, 2014 – 12:41am — Team Canada … next time? (non member)

So for all you anon haters with all your mighty power and glory … please explain this:
After asking around … some teams have been in the league 20+ years … and about 10 years ago the league had around 52 teams. The league now has around 120 teams. I guess they’re doing lots of things wrong. Please explain … using your infinite wisdom.
Much appreciated.

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January 3, 2014 – 6:28pm — Team Canada Rocks! (non member)

At least one guy posted his intelligence. This going back about 2 years, but from my experience, it is similar now.

October 18, 2011 – 8:54am — TIM S

Most of the current pricing for a well organized league with enough teams that you don’t have to play the same team every second week is around $7700 taxes in. The DMHL is right in the same ballpark. Of note:

I can’t talk about how things “used to be” in this league but I can certainly tell you how it is now.

Think about this: Having an open forum like this where faceless/nameless people can come and bash it is bad for business UNLESS you really are doing the best job possible and have the customers best interest at heart. Sure, you will get the odd person come on and give kudos in an open forum but most people who use these types of boards use them mostly for negative reasons. They like to bash and act big when they are Anonymous and for that reason alone having an open forum like this is not normally good for any business. Kudos to **** for that.

The Refs in this league, or any league for that matter, have a thankless job and they get blamed for everything. The winning team always says “good game ref” and the losing team always gripes about bad calls, missed off sides and mistaken gender issues. Players think it’s part of the game but it’s really a product of bad sportsmanship and being so competitive that it couldn’t possibly be their fault that they lost 10-0. They whine about things that hurt their chances of winning. Can you say “ice soccer?” Most of the Refs in this league have 10+ years of experience and do as good a job as can be expected given the nature of this particular game of Hockey… that also means they understand where the whining comes from and what the teams expectations are prior to the game starting… They expect the winning team to say “good game ref” and the losing team to say ” you suck ref “. We only need to worry when the WINNING TEAM says “Your brutal Ref”.. and until that happens, it’s all good.
:))
The League is well balanced and well managed.

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January 4, 2014 – 10:04am — freddie

“Going back 2 years…” – despite many comments below that are far more current.

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January 6, 2014 – 1:27am — Lol. (non member)

What’s going back 2 years Freddie?
Your comment lacks a reference … but that seems to be the trend on this little bloggy thingy of yours.

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November 4, 2013 – 9:58am — Graham (non member)

So much negative feedback for one league. Doesnt anyone have anything good to say about it?

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January 3, 2014 – 6:13pm — Team Canada Rocks! (non member)

I’ve got good things to say about the league.
There’s a weekend league that has known for years their games will be scheduled between Friday Night 7:00-11:00 (finish time), Saturday 3:00-11:00 (finish time) and Sunday 10:30-6:00 (finish time). There are no 11:00 games as so many commenters whined about. The games are balanced out as much as possible, and take special requests into consideration. Other leagues, from what I hear, post the entire schedule up front. This league tries to create more parity, after about 5 games, to make it more competitive. This is inclusive of all levels (A thru C)

There are also weeknight leagues: Tues, Thur/Fri for various levels and at various premium locations in the dt core. Games can start as early as 6:30 and run to 11:30 at the latest. Some of the commenters must think the league owns the rinks it plays out of with the all the scheduling comments.

RICOH, UCC, De La Salle, St. Mikes, Ryerson (MLG) are the locations, and it’s all great ice. Most weeknight hockey is more expensive everywhere and is played mainly at Ricoh and MLG … 2 sweet arenas if you ask me.

I have played in Burlington (Wave), and Brampton (True North). These are mainly played out of 1 location because of Twin Pad and Quad Pad facilities, respectively.

I also worked for one of the leagues before and fees were due up front, but they are team fees. If you quit, and want your money back, you need to ask your team rep, and you still might not get it back. It’s not the leagues’ concern, unless there’s something fishy about it.

The officiating could be better, but as many guys have stated, it is comparable to other leagues. My main concern is always getting home and working the next day, and have not seen any of the stupid acts that are posted in other comments.

I think it would be great if the site creator actually policed the comments a little for validity, thereby making these comments believable or not.

TCR

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January 4, 2014 – 9:57am — freddie

So. Much. Knowledge. It’s as if this is DMHL commenting here (cough). Commenter “Team Canada Rocks” is also commenter “LOL” commenting below, FYI.

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January 12, 2014 – 1:50am — Team Canada Rocks! (non member)

Also Freddy boy … when I pay to be part of something, I have the right to know what I’m paying for, so I like to ask a lot of questions. This prevents me from making ignorant comments like so many of your posters on here. One guy said something about the league not imposing suspensions … and yet, there’s a tab on the top of the homepage that shows all the suspensions … but you’d have to click on it first. Kdsdd

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January 5, 2014 – 12:54am — Lol. (non member)

Freddie … as you can read, hopefully more than one line, I have a team in the DMHL. It shouldn’t have been too difficult to decipher that.

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October 31, 2012 – 2:20pm — Richard N (non member)

444 people rate this league “POOR”
That’s not good.

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September 19, 2012 – 5:11pm — Charles (non member)

I’ve played net in this league for a few years.
Yes, it’s very expensive for the number of games, and even more expensive when you consider all the games that are poorly attended because the schedule is all over the map.
Friday 7pm, Saturday 10pm, Sunday 3pm, bye weeks and double-up weeks. My team was lucky to have 6 players at some games and had numerous games where opposing teams had to borrow players and/or goalies from the previous games just to field a team.
Chaos is the only word for it.
But I dont pay to play and games are close to home.

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April 20, 2012 – 5:15pm — Ted (non member)

Damn….summer league cancelled. Does anyone know any other summer leagues in the downtown area?

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April 16, 2012 – 11:59pm — Bill M (non member)

My team signed up for the DMHL summer league and just found out the season has been cancelled and its too late to go back to last years league because it’s full. I wish I had found this website sooner.

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March 28, 2012 – 10:27am — John T (non member)

League run by people who can’t do the job and have brutal attitudes.
Ignorance and arrogance is a bad combination

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February 22, 2012 – 3:32pm — Anth (non member)

Fact is that Men’s leagues are about making money. They don’t run these leagues NOT to make money. Ref’s generally through my 20 years of playing in these Rec leagues, don’t really care. There are exceptions of course and my hat’s off to the referees who do care.

I know a lot of guys who just quit playing in leagues altogether because of the nonsense that goes on. Too many meatheads in these leagues playing like Brian Burke is scouting them or something. It’s actually pathetic how some people act on the ice and don’t realize that most of the people playing have day jobs and families to take care of financially.

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January 17, 2012 – 5:08pm — Sid (non member)

118 people give this league a rating of poor.
Not so good

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October 1, 2012 – 8:02am — Dale N (non member)

400+

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February 6, 2012 – 10:00am — Steve Thuringer (non member)

I can do ya one better than that.
Sunday 130pm game at UCC, with approx 100 children and their parents watching, waiting for public skating to start.
Team is down by 3-4 goals with 2 minutes to go.
Off the faceoff (no pun intended), centre on losing team crosschecks opposing centre in the face.
Bench clearing brawl. blood all over the ice.
Parents of private school parents watching were horrified
Nuff said

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October 12, 2012 – 12:18am — jake (non member)

Definitely McSorley’s, those guys are a bunch of idiots, they need to be kicked out of the league.

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February 22, 2012 – 11:19am — Johnny (non member)

Not sure what team it was… but I heard about that one too

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February 24, 2012 – 1:08pm — Sandy M (non member)

We are playing McSorleys tomorrow at 9pm at St Mikes.
I think I will stay home and watch the Leaf game.
It will be safer.

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November 24, 2011 – 12:53pm — Sammy (non member)

Seems like this league is on its way out.

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October 25, 2011 – 4:50pm — Gilles (non member)

My second year in this league..and the last.
Last Saturday night, showed up for our game and the other team defaulted. Third time this year!
What a waste of time. Missed the Leafs/Habs game for nothin’!

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October 17, 2011 – 6:52am — Sam N (non member)

Just over $8,000 for 21 + 1 playoff game.
Others are in the $7,200 range for 26 + playoffs

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October 18, 2011 – 8:54am — TIM S

I can’t talk about how things “used to be” in this league but I can certainly tell you how it is now.

This is a no-nonsense league, suspensions ARE handed out and upheld. You can’t have a hockey league in today’s world without management being responsible and dealing with customers with respect and the DMHL Management does that better then most I have seen. Think about this: Having an open forum like this where faceless/nameless people can come and bash it is bad for business UNLESS you really are doing the best job possible and have the customers best interest at heart. Sure, you will get the odd person come on and give kudos in an open forum but most people who use these types of boards use them mostly for negative reasons. They like to bash and act big when they are Anonymous and for that reason alone having an open forum like this is not normally good for any business. Kudos to **** for that.

:))

The League is well balanced and well managed

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October 19, 2011 – 1:30pm — John L (non member)

Just found this site…there’s some very unhappy players in this league. I played there for 3 years and have since left.
Prices are high on a per game basis (7700/21) vs (7200/28) elsewhere, coupled with schedule that is all over the map. Friday, Saturday, Sunday, bye weeks, double header weeks, other team not showing up, goalies not showing up and games defaulted. It was a GONG SHOW.

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September 26, 2011 – 11:38pm — Joey (non member)

Theres a very good reason why this league doesnt put their league fees or number of games on their website.
Most expensive and least number of games of any league in the GTA.

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September 28, 2011 – 11:17pm — Elliott (non member)

That’s correct, but what other option do we have in the downtown area. There is no ice available or I’d be first in line to start my own league and get out of the DMHL.

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September 28, 2011 – 11:16pm — Elliott (non member)

That’s correct, but what other option do we have in the downtown area. There is no ice available or I’d be first in line to start my own league and get out of the DMHL.

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September 14, 2011 – 2:43pm — Rick (non member)

the league is still around. Bigger and more popular than ever.

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September 4, 2011 – 1:50pm — Karen (non member)

If the mens league is anything like the womens league, I have just one word DISASTER.
Played in that league in October 2009, it fell apart by january and I quit going. No goalies, unbalanced teams.
A total waste of almost $500.
I understand they have abandoned the womens league..GOOD IDEA

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September 14, 2011 – 2:45pm — Rick (non member)

Too bad you feel that way. Remember it is a brand new league and we have ironed out the bugs. We now have full teams and goalies and all is a go.

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October 4, 2011 – 4:16pm — Karen (non member)

****….if you’re still involved….your haven’t “ironed out the bugs”. nuff said

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September 1, 2011 – 4:03pm — Kelly (non member)

This league isnt the worst league around, it is better than the ASHL, but thats not saying much.
It is too bad that money is the only concern. Watch the damn games, get rid of the refs who dont belong and the players who cause problems. Saw a major brawl at Upper Canada College, the police were called and charges laid. Refs had let the game go, and the team that started the fight were repeat offenders.

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September 14, 2011 – 2:48pm — Rick (non member)

We try to eliminate problem teams. Not sure if what you mentioned was in my league or not. But if it was, they would have been policed and the issue eliminated. We do not want that sort of team around. But again, i’m not sure if it was from our league.

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August 30, 2011 – 8:49am — Elliott (non member)

Have to agree with Andrew.
I have had a team in the B division for years in the DMHL.
Most expensive and fewest games of any league in the GTA.
But if you want to play downtown, its your only option.
Great rinks…we don’t mind the schedule, Saturday works for my team.
We pay upfront, so no money worries.
If the league spent as much time on worrying about bad refs and upholding suspensions, as they do about making a shitload of money off the backs of hockey players, they would be a lot better off.

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September 14, 2011 – 2:53pm — Rick (non member)

Making the kind of money your talking about means i could quit my day job. I keep it low and if you check around the city, you will see that my rates are pretty good and competitive. remember that i use private rinks that charge an arm and leg. And the rink fee’s have to get paid otherwise you would be forced to play outside that city in an organized league. The ref’s? well it is what it is for mens hockey and we try to find the best we can. I have had a few of them that have moved on to the NHL. So i guess they are not that bad.

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July 3, 2011 – 1:52pm — jay jay (non member)

yeah this league blows teams never show up and u get shitty refs all the time

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September 27, 2011 – 2:15pm — Joseph (non member)

All leagues have shitty refs…but yes when the teams dont show up for those Saturday night late games,that is bad

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September 14, 2011 – 2:55pm — Rick (non member)

Then sir, if you don’t like it so much, why do you play in it and why do i have teams that rave about it? And teams on a waiting list? You don’t have to play in it. But you can always go outside the city.

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March 10, 2011 – 5:02pm — Bob (non member)

I am a 5 year veteran of the league.

The league is pretty good. Ricoh is a fantastic place to play – plus DMHL only uses downtown arenas. Awesome if you live in the core.

You can choose your level of play and weekday or weekend games. I don’t think it’s perfect, but I have yet to find a better league. Also, I have played an 11pm game, but it happens at most once in a season, and that’s only if your team is unlucky.

Lastly, Referees are like Parking Meter Maids – they always suck, but it’s not always their fault.

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September 14, 2011 – 3:00pm — Rick (non member)

Well said, Bob. I’m not saying we are perfect. Nothing is. But i try to make it a different and enjoyable club, if you want to call it that. And you’ll never get anywhere that caters to the teams as much as i do. And the ref’ing is always a tough situation. We can never please everyone. But we keep working on pleasing everyone. Thanks for your comments.

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August 20, 2010 – 5:38am — Andrew S (non member)

Played in the league for 4 years.
Played B1 and then A.
Decent level of hockey…A division was really good.
Refs were brutal..but its like that in all leagues.
Organizers were only concerned about chasing people for money, luckily my team always paid up front.
If there was any other alternative in the downtown area, teams would leave in droves.
Thats my 2 cents worth

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September 14, 2011 – 3:03pm — Rick (non member)

You mention that my guys are always working on collecting. If they don’t, how do the rinks get paid and how do we get the funds nesc. to keep you on the ice? I doubt that all the teams would leave. No one would treat them the way we do.

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January 8, 2011 – 11:49am — ron (non member)

You would not know good refereeing. Do you know several NHL and AHL and OHL ref’s have came out of that league.

You know there are other leagues you can play in. All over this city.

SO instead of bitching you should just find another league.

You are like so many average players trying to relive some hockey dream that never took place. Because You just were not good enough. It is that simple.

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September 14, 2011 – 3:04pm — Rick (non member)

Easy boy…I understand what your saying. Most don’t, but if you get it, then thats all that counts. Thanks for the comments.

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September 24, 2010 – 9:02am — Joseph (non member)

Check other leagues and then make that same statement. Why do people say things without doing research. I have played in that league since the late eighties. You can’t find anything better anywhere and the price is right in line with the leagues in the burbs. Realistically, being downtown? it should be more expensive.

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September 14, 2011 – 3:07pm — Rick (non member)

I have said that exact thing to everyone too. I could probably charge 40% more and get it. But thats not what hockey is about. And I am trying to keep guys on the ice…not scare them away from the game. You have the right attitude !! Thanks for your comments.

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April 22, 2010 – 11:43am — Rick (non member)

Your an idiot. games are not at 11pm. last game always starts at 10pm. There are not only weekend games. the league is made up of weekend and weeknight divisions. Check the price from outside the city and you’ll see who is actually more expensive. Check your facts first bud, before you make accusations.

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March 20, 2010 – 4:24pm — Matt (non member)

You can choose what ever night you want to play, Stupid.

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April 22, 2010 – 11:44am — Rick (non member)

Good response, Matt. !!!

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July 13, 2010 – 11:10am — Ricky Bobby (non member)

I have to agree – this is a horrible league

5 reviews of “Downtown Mens Hockey League (DMHL)”

Chris Short

December 15, 2018 at 5:33 am

Can someone tell me who actually runs this league?
We realize that **** and his fellow flunkies are just hourly employees and that there must be someone else in charge.
I was told the owners of the league are never around.
When serious issues arise, it would be nice to get a straight answer.
Joe

November 15, 2018 at 10:03 pm

Well said! Needs to be repeated!!!

May 14, 2018 – 10:04am — Davey J (non member)

Wow what a disaster and jerk that **** **** (commissioner) is. All he cares about is your money – not the safety of anyone in the league. I hope a good league takes over these rinks and actually runs it professionally
John V

November 1, 2018 at 6:09 pm

Great to see so many comments and spreading the word about this league.
Stonehands

September 1, 2018 at 12:44 am

It’s hard to say what I think of the league. It’s a hr a week of puck right ? But the problems I have is the mix of people and their respective hockey backgrounds. A career house leaguer lined up with old ohl talent happens alot and it’s brutal.
Reviews from sportaholik.com 1.0

May 21, 2018 at 10:21 am

May 14, 2018 – 10:04am — Davey J (non member)

Wow what a disaster and jerk that **** **** (commissioner) is. All he cares about is your money – not the safety of anyone in the league. I hope a good league takes over these rinks and actually runs it professionally

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May 15, 2018 – 9:30am — Paul Ash (non member)

I have to agree with your comments, but it seems to be the only league in downtown TO. We tolerate the league convenor, knowing that he’s just a paid employee with a job to do.
You’d likely be miserable if you were stuck with dealing with all of us dumb hockey players LOL

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April 18, 2018 – 6:08pm — Adrian Gho (non member)

This league is brutal.
21 games and 2 playo games or $2000/team more than other leagues that play up to 26 games plus minimum 4 playoff games.
Of those 21 games, other team defaulted 3 times, my team no-showed once.
Games scheduled at 630pm at Ricoh and 6pm at Mattamy are impossible to get to on a good day…..add snow and forget it.
Add in 3 11pm games that are too late and you have a very expensive hockey season on a cost per game basis

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January 18, 2018 – 1:04pm — Plug (non member)

Broken bones, fights, goons, no roster ID checks, no upholding of rules or suspensions, Checked out Refs, and one guy paralyzed. Throw in a little “hockey” and that about sums it up.

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April 4, 2018 – 1:28pm — Joey H (non member)

Rules: http://www.dmhl.ca/hockey/rules.aspx
Your cheque clears the bank….you’re in…thats the only rule
Out on bail—-ok
Thrown out of every league in GTA —-ok
Tried to behead a guy last week —ok

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January 26, 2018 – 5:06pm — Adrian G (non member)

Sounds like the DMHL Tuesday night league at MLG!
#gongshow

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February 7, 2018 – 9:25am — Sammy (non member)

So many bad reviews and a low rating for this league.
Do they get everyone for one season?
Isnt there anywhere else to play in downtown Toronto?
There should be a Better Business Bureau for hockey.

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March 30, 2018 – 1:37pm — Callum M (non member)

Theres much better leagues around.\
Monday nights at Upper Canada College.(Toronto Sports and Social Club)
Bill Bolton men league
ScotiaBank Pond
Chesswood
Westwood
Pavilion
Google them and get out of this league LOL

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May 31, 2017 – 7:53pm — Hugh G (non member)

This league in one word?

BRUTAL

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June 1, 2017 – 5:20pm — Hal (non member)

Discouraging?

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June 2, 2017 – 9:41am — Tim R (non member)

Sad

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June 17, 2017 – 1:42pm — Rick Borg (non member)

Goldmine!

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August 18, 2017 – 12:33pm — Ian M (non member)

Dangerous

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November 15, 2017 – 3:02pm — Adrian G (non member)

Cashgrab

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November 30, 2017 – 6:32pm — Oren E (non member)

Infuriating!

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April 20, 2017 – 6:24pm — Justin V (non member)

Just finished our first (and last) season in DMHL. We thought the ASHL was bad. Three or four players didn’t finish the season due to injury as a result of deliberate actions by opposing players. One of them suffered fractured vertebrae and will never play again (the opposing player got a two minute penalty)
Good luck if you are considering this league #buyerbeware

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February 16, 2017 – 9:41am — Sam R (non member)

Quit bitching about this league.
Just go play somewhere else better.
There are much better, much cheaper leagues, playing more games at better rinks with better game times and better refs.
Just look around.

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October 29, 2015 – 6:18pm — Sid R (non member)

This league has a problem! Its BYOB every night
AA for all players Saturdays 8pm at St Lukes Church!
Any alcoholic beverages on the team bench will result in ‘Team Expulsion’ from the league. No glass bottles of any sort are allowed on the bench. Alcohol is prohibited in all arenas. Any problems resulting from alcohol on arena property will lead to expulsion from the league without refund. All arenas have requested that the DMHL ensure that teams playing in the DMHL will not bring alcohol to the arenas. Tailgating is considered drinking on the property and is strictly forbidden. If any one single player or group of players is found to have had alcohol in the dressing room or out on the property grounds, they will be given a warning and issued a 4min team penalty for Abuse of Facility to start the next game. Automatic. A second offence will have the players in question reprimanded and/or suspended depending on the situation. This second offence will also see a 4min team penalty for Abuse of Facility to start each period for the next 2 games. Automatic. There is no discussion regarding this decision. Over and above this, should the arena management decide to further enforce some form of disciplinary action, they are entitled to do so and the DMHL will support this decision. Your cooperation in this sensitive area is appreciated

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November 24, 2015 – 11:24am — James L (non member)

The league only does this because the arenas they use have threatened to cancel their ice due to beer cans and bottles in dressing rooms, players drinking in lobby and parking lot etc. Especially bad when kids teams are in the arenas at the same time.

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August 26, 2014 – 11:51am — Amy (non member)

TOTAL BS!!!!!
Welcome to the DMHL website, the Downtown Men’s (and Women’s) Hockey League. The premier recreational hockey league in Toronto and the GTA for those hockey starved male and female athletes out there looking for an organized league with plenty of options that lets them play their favourite game.

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August 10, 2016 – 8:54pm — Sandra S (non member)

How this league is still in business is beyond me. I played in the womens league and it was a disaster. Players all quit and they were forced to cancel the womens league. Yet, they still advertise it on their site.
Mens league continues despite high price, crazy schedule and arrogant staff.

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June 7, 2016 – 11:40am — Gina (non member)

Mens AND womens…..don’t think so

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April 21, 2015 – 8:56am — Sandra (non member)

Its true. They couldn’t keep a womens league going.
You dont just collect the money and throw together a schedule.
No goalies.
Teams unbalanced.
Players paid big money and were so pissed they quit showing up.
We tried to get our money back but it wasnt happening

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June 23, 2014 – 11:13am — Lorne G (non member)

ARROGANCE TO THE EXTREME

CANT EVEN RUN A WOMENS WINTER PROGRAM

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May 15, 2014 – 4:49pm — Sam S (non member)

$8500 per team for 22 games is criminal.

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February 13, 2017 – 10:43am — Syl S (non member)

Agreed….but if teams will pay…they can charge what they want

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January 10, 2014 – 12:41am — Team Canada … next time? (non member)

So for all you anon haters with all your mighty power and glory … please explain this:
After asking around … some teams have been in the league 20+ years … and about 10 years ago the league had around 52 teams. The league now has around 120 teams. I guess they’re doing lots of things wrong. Please explain … using your infinite wisdom.
Much appreciated.

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January 3, 2014 – 6:28pm — Team Canada Rocks! (non member)

At least one guy posted his intelligence. This going back about 2 years, but from my experience, it is similar now.

October 18, 2011 – 8:54am — TIM S

Most of the current pricing for a well organized league with enough teams that you don’t have to play the same team every second week is around $7700 taxes in. The DMHL is right in the same ballpark. Of note:

I can’t talk about how things “used to be” in this league but I can certainly tell you how it is now.

This is a no-nonsense league, suspensions ARE handed out and upheld. You can’t have a hockey league in today’s world without management being responsible and dealing with customers with respect and the DMHL Management does that better then most I have seen.

Think about this: Having an open forum like this where faceless/nameless people can come and bash it is bad for business UNLESS you really are doing the best job possible and have the customers best interest at heart. Sure, you will get the odd person come on and give kudos in an open forum but most people who use these types of boards use them mostly for negative reasons. They like to bash and act big when they are Anonymous and for that reason alone having an open forum like this is not normally good for any business. Kudos to **** for that.

The Refs in this league, or any league for that matter, have a thankless job and they get blamed for everything. The winning team always says “good game ref” and the losing team always gripes about bad calls, missed off sides and mistaken gender issues. Players think it’s part of the game but it’s really a product of bad sportsmanship and being so competitive that it couldn’t possibly be their fault that they lost 10-0. They whine about things that hurt their chances of winning. Can you say “ice soccer?” Most of the Refs in this league have 10+ years of experience and do as good a job as can be expected given the nature of this particular game of Hockey… that also means they understand where the whining comes from and what the teams expectations are prior to the game starting… They expect the winning team to say “good game ref” and the losing team to say ” you suck ref “. We only need to worry when the WINNING TEAM says “Your brutal Ref”.. and until that happens, it’s all good.
:))
The League is well balanced and well managed.

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January 4, 2014 – 10:04am — freddie

“Going back 2 years…” – despite many comments below that are far more current.

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January 6, 2014 – 1:27am — Lol. (non member)

What’s going back 2 years Freddie?
Your comment lacks a reference … but that seems to be the trend on this little bloggy thingy of yours.

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November 4, 2013 – 9:58am — Graham (non member)

So much negative feedback for one league. Doesnt anyone have anything good to say about it?

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January 3, 2014 – 6:13pm — Team Canada Rocks! (non member)

I’ve got good things to say about the league.
There’s a weekend league that has known for years their games will be scheduled between Friday Night 7:00-11:00 (finish time), Saturday 3:00-11:00 (finish time) and Sunday 10:30-6:00 (finish time). There are no 11:00 games as so many commenters whined about. The games are balanced out as much as possible, and take special requests into consideration. Other leagues, from what I hear, post the entire schedule up front. This league tries to create more parity, after about 5 games, to make it more competitive. This is inclusive of all levels (A thru C)

There are also weeknight leagues: Tues, Thur/Fri for various levels and at various premium locations in the dt core. Games can start as early as 6:30 and run to 11:30 at the latest. Some of the commenters must think the league owns the rinks it plays out of with the all the scheduling comments.

RICOH, UCC, De La Salle, St. Mikes, Ryerson (MLG) are the locations, and it’s all great ice. Most weeknight hockey is more expensive everywhere and is played mainly at Ricoh and MLG … 2 sweet arenas if you ask me.

I have played in Burlington (Wave), and Brampton (True North). These are mainly played out of 1 location because of Twin Pad and Quad Pad facilities, respectively.

I also worked for one of the leagues before and fees were due up front, but they are team fees. If you quit, and want your money back, you need to ask your team rep, and you still might not get it back. It’s not the leagues’ concern, unless there’s something fishy about it.

The officiating could be better, but as many guys have stated, it is comparable to other leagues. My main concern is always getting home and working the next day, and have not seen any of the stupid acts that are posted in other comments.

I think it would be great if the site creator actually policed the comments a little for validity, thereby making these comments believable or not.

TCR

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January 4, 2014 – 9:57am — freddie

So. Much. Knowledge. It’s as if this is DMHL commenting here (cough). Commenter “Team Canada Rocks” is also commenter “LOL” commenting below, FYI.

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January 12, 2014 – 1:50am — Team Canada Rocks! (non member)

Also Freddy boy … when I pay to be part of something, I have the right to know what I’m paying for, so I like to ask a lot of questions. This prevents me from making ignorant comments like so many of your posters on here. One guy said something about the league not imposing suspensions … and yet, there’s a tab on the top of the homepage that shows all the suspensions … but you’d have to click on it first. Kdsdd

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January 5, 2014 – 12:54am — Lol. (non member)

Freddie … as you can read, hopefully more than one line, I have a team in the DMHL. It shouldn’t have been too difficult to decipher that.

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October 31, 2012 – 2:20pm — Richard N (non member)

444 people rate this league “POOR”
That’s not good.

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September 19, 2012 – 5:11pm — Charles (non member)

I’ve played net in this league for a few years.
Yes, it’s very expensive for the number of games, and even more expensive when you consider all the games that are poorly attended because the schedule is all over the map.
Friday 7pm, Saturday 10pm, Sunday 3pm, bye weeks and double-up weeks. My team was lucky to have 6 players at some games and had numerous games where opposing teams had to borrow players and/or goalies from the previous games just to field a team.
Chaos is the only word for it.
But I dont pay to play and games are close to home.

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April 20, 2012 – 5:15pm — Ted (non member)

Damn….summer league cancelled. Does anyone know any other summer leagues in the downtown area?

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April 16, 2012 – 11:59pm — Bill M (non member)

My team signed up for the DMHL summer league and just found out the season has been cancelled and its too late to go back to last years league because it’s full. I wish I had found this website sooner.

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March 28, 2012 – 10:27am — John T (non member)

League run by people who can’t do the job and have brutal attitudes.
Ignorance and arrogance is a bad combination

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February 22, 2012 – 3:32pm — Anth (non member)

Fact is that Men’s leagues are about making money. They don’t run these leagues NOT to make money. Ref’s generally through my 20 years of playing in these Rec leagues, don’t really care. There are exceptions of course and my hat’s off to the referees who do care.

I know a lot of guys who just quit playing in leagues altogether because of the nonsense that goes on. Too many meatheads in these leagues playing like Brian Burke is scouting them or something. It’s actually pathetic how some people act on the ice and don’t realize that most of the people playing have day jobs and families to take care of financially.

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January 17, 2012 – 5:08pm — Sid (non member)

118 people give this league a rating of poor.
Not so good

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October 1, 2012 – 8:02am — Dale N (non member)

400+

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February 6, 2012 – 10:00am — Steve Thuringer (non member)

I can do ya one better than that.
Sunday 130pm game at UCC, with approx 100 children and their parents watching, waiting for public skating to start.
Team is down by 3-4 goals with 2 minutes to go.
Off the faceoff (no pun intended), centre on losing team crosschecks opposing centre in the face.
Bench clearing brawl. blood all over the ice.
Parents of private school parents watching were horrified
Nuff said

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October 12, 2012 – 12:18am — jake (non member)

Definitely McSorley’s, those guys are a bunch of idiots, they need to be kicked out of the league.

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February 22, 2012 – 11:19am — Johnny (non member)

Not sure what team it was… but I heard about that one too

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February 24, 2012 – 1:08pm — Sandy M (non member)

We are playing McSorleys tomorrow at 9pm at St Mikes.
I think I will stay home and watch the Leaf game.
It will be safer.

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November 24, 2011 – 12:53pm — Sammy (non member)

Seems like this league is on its way out.

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October 25, 2011 – 4:50pm — Gilles (non member)

My second year in this league..and the last.
Last Saturday night, showed up for our game and the other team defaulted. Third time this year!
What a waste of time. Missed the Leafs/Habs game for nothin’!

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October 17, 2011 – 6:52am — Sam N (non member)

Just over $8,000 for 21 + 1 playoff game.
Others are in the $7,200 range for 26 + playoffs

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October 18, 2011 – 8:54am — TIM S

Most of the current pricing for a well organized league with enough teams that you don’t have to play the same team every second week is around $7700 taxes in. The DMHL is right in the same ballpark. Of note:

I can’t talk about how things “used to be” in this league but I can certainly tell you how it is now.

This is a no-nonsense league, suspensions ARE handed out and upheld. You can’t have a hockey league in today’s world without management being responsible and dealing with customers with respect and the DMHL Management does that better then most I have seen. Think about this: Having an open forum like this where faceless/nameless people can come and bash it is bad for business UNLESS you really are doing the best job possible and have the customers best interest at heart. Sure, you will get the odd person come on and give kudos in an open forum but most people who use these types of boards use them mostly for negative reasons. They like to bash and act big when they are Anonymous and for that reason alone having an open forum like this is not normally good for any business. Kudos to **** for that.

The Refs in this league, or any league for that matter, have a thankless job and they get blamed for everything. The winning team always says “good game ref” and the losing team always gripes about bad calls, missed off sides and mistaken gender issues. Players think it’s part of the game but it’s really a product of bad sportsmanship and being so competitive that it couldn’t possibly be their fault that they lost 10-0. They whine about things that hurt their chances of winning. Can you say “ice soccer?” Most of the Refs in this league have 10+ years of experience and do as good a job as can be expected given the nature of this particular game of Hockey… that also means they understand where the whining comes from and what the teams expectations are prior to the game starting… They expect the winning team to say “good game ref” and the losing team to say ” you suck ref “. We only need to worry when the WINNING TEAM says “Your brutal Ref”.. and until that happens, it’s all good.

:))

The League is well balanced and well managed

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October 19, 2011 – 1:30pm — John L (non member)

Just found this site…there’s some very unhappy players in this league. I played there for 3 years and have since left.
Prices are high on a per game basis (7700/21) vs (7200/28) elsewhere, coupled with schedule that is all over the map. Friday, Saturday, Sunday, bye weeks, double header weeks, other team not showing up, goalies not showing up and games defaulted. It was a GONG SHOW.

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September 26, 2011 – 11:38pm — Joey (non member)

Theres a very good reason why this league doesnt put their league fees or number of games on their website.
Most expensive and least number of games of any league in the GTA.

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September 28, 2011 – 11:17pm — Elliott (non member)

That’s correct, but what other option do we have in the downtown area. There is no ice available or I’d be first in line to start my own league and get out of the DMHL.

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September 28, 2011 – 11:16pm — Elliott (non member)

That’s correct, but what other option do we have in the downtown area. There is no ice available or I’d be first in line to start my own league and get out of the DMHL.

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September 14, 2011 – 2:43pm — Rick (non member)

the league is still around. Bigger and more popular than ever.

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September 4, 2011 – 1:50pm — Karen (non member)

If the mens league is anything like the womens league, I have just one word DISASTER.
Played in that league in October 2009, it fell apart by january and I quit going. No goalies, unbalanced teams.
A total waste of almost $500.
I understand they have abandoned the womens league..GOOD IDEA

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September 14, 2011 – 2:45pm — Rick (non member)

Too bad you feel that way. Remember it is a brand new league and we have ironed out the bugs. We now have full teams and goalies and all is a go.

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October 4, 2011 – 4:16pm — Karen (non member)

****….if you’re still involved….your haven’t “ironed out the bugs”. nuff said

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September 1, 2011 – 4:03pm — Kelly (non member)

This league isnt the worst league around, it is better than the ASHL, but thats not saying much.
It is too bad that money is the only concern. Watch the damn games, get rid of the refs who dont belong and the players who cause problems. Saw a major brawl at Upper Canada College, the police were called and charges laid. Refs had let the game go, and the team that started the fight were repeat offenders.

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September 14, 2011 – 2:48pm — Rick (non member)

We try to eliminate problem teams. Not sure if what you mentioned was in my league or not. But if it was, they would have been policed and the issue eliminated. We do not want that sort of team around. But again, i’m not sure if it was from our league.

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August 30, 2011 – 8:49am — Elliott (non member)

Have to agree with Andrew.
I have had a team in the B division for years in the DMHL.
Most expensive and fewest games of any league in the GTA.
But if you want to play downtown, its your only option.
Great rinks…we don’t mind the schedule, Saturday works for my team.
We pay upfront, so no money worries.
If the league spent as much time on worrying about bad refs and upholding suspensions, as they do about making a shitload of money off the backs of hockey players, they would be a lot better off.

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September 14, 2011 – 2:53pm — Rick (non member)

Making the kind of money your talking about means i could quit my day job. I keep it low and if you check around the city, you will see that my rates are pretty good and competitive. remember that i use private rinks that charge an arm and leg. And the rink fee’s have to get paid otherwise you would be forced to play outside that city in an organized league. The ref’s? well it is what it is for mens hockey and we try to find the best we can. I have had a few of them that have moved on to the NHL. So i guess they are not that bad.

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July 3, 2011 – 1:52pm — jay jay (non member)

yeah this league blows teams never show up and u get shitty refs all the time

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September 27, 2011 – 2:15pm — Joseph (non member)

All leagues have shitty refs…but yes when the teams dont show up for those Saturday night late games,that is bad

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September 14, 2011 – 2:55pm — Rick (non member)

Then sir, if you don’t like it so much, why do you play in it and why do i have teams that rave about it? And teams on a waiting list? You don’t have to play in it. But you can always go outside the city.

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March 10, 2011 – 5:02pm — Bob (non member)

I am a 5 year veteran of the league.

The league is pretty good. Ricoh is a fantastic place to play – plus DMHL only uses downtown arenas. Awesome if you live in the core.

You can choose your level of play and weekday or weekend games. I don’t think it’s perfect, but I have yet to find a better league. Also, I have played an 11pm game, but it happens at most once in a season, and that’s only if your team is unlucky.

Lastly, Referees are like Parking Meter Maids – they always suck, but it’s not always their fault.

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September 14, 2011 – 3:00pm — Rick (non member)

Well said, Bob. I’m not saying we are perfect. Nothing is. But i try to make it a different and enjoyable club, if you want to call it that. And you’ll never get anywhere that caters to the teams as much as i do. And the ref’ing is always a tough situation. We can never please everyone. But we keep working on pleasing everyone. Thanks for your comments.

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August 20, 2010 – 5:38am — Andrew S (non member)

Played in the league for 4 years.
Played B1 and then A.
Decent level of hockey…A division was really good.
Refs were brutal..but its like that in all leagues.
Organizers were only concerned about chasing people for money, luckily my team always paid up front.
If there was any other alternative in the downtown area, teams would leave in droves.
Thats my 2 cents worth

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September 14, 2011 – 3:03pm — Rick (non member)

You mention that my guys are always working on collecting. If they don’t, how do the rinks get paid and how do we get the funds nesc. to keep you on the ice? I doubt that all the teams would leave. No one would treat them the way we do.

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January 8, 2011 – 11:49am — ron (non member)

You would not know good refereeing. Do you know several NHL and AHL and OHL ref’s have came out of that league.

You know there are other leagues you can play in. All over this city.

SO instead of bitching you should just find another league.

You are like so many average players trying to relive some hockey dream that never took place. Because You just were not good enough. It is that simple.

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September 14, 2011 – 3:04pm — Rick (non member)

Easy boy…I understand what your saying. Most don’t, but if you get it, then thats all that counts. Thanks for the comments.

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September 24, 2010 – 9:02am — Joseph (non member)

Check other leagues and then make that same statement. Why do people say things without doing research. I have played in that league since the late eighties. You can’t find anything better anywhere and the price is right in line with the leagues in the burbs. Realistically, being downtown? it should be more expensive.

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September 14, 2011 – 3:07pm — Rick (non member)

I have said that exact thing to everyone too. I could probably charge 40% more and get it. But thats not what hockey is about. And I am trying to keep guys on the ice…not scare them away from the game. You have the right attitude !! Thanks for your comments.

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April 22, 2010 – 11:43am — Rick (non member)

Your an idiot. games are not at 11pm. last game always starts at 10pm. There are not only weekend games. the league is made up of weekend and weeknight divisions. Check the price from outside the city and you’ll see who is actually more expensive. Check your facts first bud, before you make accusations.

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March 20, 2010 – 4:24pm — Matt (non member)

You can choose what ever night you want to play, Stupid.

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April 22, 2010 – 11:44am — Rick (non member)

Good response, Matt. !!!

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July 13, 2010 – 11:10am — Ricky Bobby (non member)

I have to agree – this is a horrible league

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