PHP > Junior Panthers (Central York Girls Hockey Association)

Registration for rep tryouts is now open. The registration link and other tryout-related information is available here.

Tryouts are fast approaching and will begin April 21, 2025. Specific information including schedules, cost, Permission to Tryout (PTT) request forms, plus more details on the tryout and team selections processes, will be available as we get closer to the start date. Pantherwear fitting will take place on May 10, 2025.

Announcing our rep coaches for the upcoming 2025/2026 hockey season. Thank you to everyone who applied and was willing to volunteer their time to help our players. We are confident that these dedicated individuals will guide our teams to success both on and off the ice.

Mark your calendars for Sunday, January 26, 2025 at 2:30 p.m. and join us at the Aurora Community Centre – McAlpine Ford Arena to cheer on our very own Junior Panthers as they face off against the Chinese Women's National Hockey Team. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. Join us for face painting and a poster-making before the game. This is a fantastic opportunity to witness high-level hockey and support our local athletes.

Applications for 2025-2026 rep team coaches are now being accepted.

Team Staff

Cell Phone

Steve Dempsey

Head Coach

Steve Dempsey

Bio

Steve Dempsey will be going into his fifth season with the U22 AA team and is taking over the U18 AA program as of May 2023. Steve has a similar approach with each team as both teams are within the CYGHA Panthers High Performance program. For the past five years he has focused his energy on both recruiting and building an elite homegrown high performance program that offers players the opportunity to train and practice in a unique pre-university setting. Steve has focused his energy on both recruiting and building an elite homegrown high performance program that offers players the opportunity to train and practice in a unique pre-university setting. Focusing on family core values like accountability, selflessness, attitude, and respect he is determined to build a program that resonates with like minded character focused players.

Previous to taking on this position, he was an assistant coach for 12 years with the York University Lions women's hockey team beginning in 2009 working with Dan Church, the former Canadian Olympic Coach.

Steve was responsible for taking the lead role with the defense and the penalty kill units. Under Steve's guidance he has helped several defenders receive Ontario and Canadian First and Second Team All-star positions. The penalty kill unit was ranked as one of the top 5 penalty kill units in the country twice during his time at York.

In addition to his work with the Lions, Steve has been a Head Coach with the Ontario Women's Hockey Association High Performance U16 and U18 programs. In 2014 and 2019 his team went undefeated during the summer development camp.

Internationally, he has also worked with the New Zealand National Women's team program as a mentor coach. In 2012 he helped New Zealand to their best IIHF World ranking and their best finish at the IIHF World Championships.

Steve Dempsey is a fully certified NCCP HP1 and HP2 level coach and has been certified in Hockey Canada's High Performance Program.

He has been coaching for over 35 years in competitive, house league, and high school settings in hockey, soccer, and softball.

[email protected]
416-550-7779