Pure Maple - About

About Pure Maple

Pure Maple, National team development program.  

What is Pure Maple ?

WHAT IS PURE MAPLE?

For years, Roller Hockey Canada and Canada Inline have heard the same question from players and families across the country:

"How can I play more roller hockey? My local league doesn't offer the opportunities I'm looking for."

The answer to that question has evolved into something bigger than ever before.

With the merger of the Pure Maple and True North development programs under the Roller Hockey Canada banner, we are creating a unified national pathway that gives players from every region of Canada access to elite tournaments, high-level competition, and fun, inclusive, development opportunities that may not exist within their local communities.

Canada is home to many outstanding roller hockey leagues that provide athletes with opportunities to learn, compete, and grow. Those local programs remain the foundation of our sport. However, many players are looking for more. They want to compete against top talent, experience major tournaments, travel with teammates who share their passion, meet new friends and continue developing throughout the year.

Historically, assembling enough players from a single city or region to attend major events was often difficult. Talented athletes who were eager to compete were frequently left on the sidelines simply because there weren't enough local players to form a team.

Our Pure Maple program changes that.

By bringing together athletes from across the country, Pure Maple creates opportunities where geography is no longer a barrier. If there is a tournament that provides a great experience for player development and competition, Pure Maple can assemble teams from coast to coast, giving athletes the chance to represent one of Canada's premier roller hockey development programs on some of the sport's biggest stages.

The journey began in 2018 when Canada Inline sent its first Pure Maple Men's Pro Team to the NARCh Winternationals as a pilot project. The team competed admirably and demonstrated the potential of a national club model.

In 2019, the program expanded significantly, sending multiple teams across various age divisions to the NARCh Finals in California. The response from players and families was overwhelmingly positive, and the program quickly established itself as a unique opportunity within Canadian roller hockey.

Today, the next chapter begins.

By combining the strengths, resources, and communities of both the Pure Maple and True North programs, Roller Hockey Canada is building a stronger, more inclusive national development platform than ever before. Together, we are creating more opportunities, more events, stronger teams, and a clearer pathway for athletes who want to take their game beyond the local level.

This is more than a tournament team.

This is a national community of players, families, coaches, and leaders working together to grow roller hockey in Canada and provide athletes with unforgettable experiences both on and off the rink.

Welcome to the next generation of Pure Maple. 🍁🏒🇨🇦

PURE MAPLE ROSTERS :

We will carry a minimum of 8 players on a team plus 1 goalie
We will carry a maximum of 12 players on a team plus 2 goalies ( only 2 goalies if they would agree to share the net ) 

SPRING / SUMMER TIME EVENTS : 

Players interested in participating with Pure Maple will be considered through the program's player assessment and roster selection process.

Our goal is to create opportunities for as many athletes as possible while ensuring teams are assembled in a way that provides a positive, competitive, and enjoyable experience for everyone involved. Player placement decisions will be based on a combination of playing experience, skill level, positional requirements, team balance, and overall roster needs.

Where participation numbers allow, multiple teams may be formed within an age division. In these situations, players will be placed on the roster that best matches their current stage of development and competitive level, helping to create an environment where all athletes can contribute, grow, and succeed.

Pure Maple is committed to providing inclusive opportunities for players from across Canada while building teams that are positioned for both player development and tournament success.

WINTER TIME EVENTS : 

For winter events such as NARCh Winternationals and State Wars Winter Wars, Pure Maple will utilize previous player assessments and new information-gathering process to help us build the most competitive and balanced teams possible.

Player placement will be based on a combination of historical player evaluations, previous Pure Maple and True North participation, coach feedback, tournament performance, and other relevant information gathered throughout the year. This approach allows our staff to make informed roster decisions while recognizing players' development and growth over time.

Rather than relying solely on a single tryout or evaluation session, we believe in taking a broader view of each athlete's abilities, experience, and potential contribution to the team. This process helps ensure interested players are placed in an environment that supports both individual development and team success.

Coaching Philosophy

Pure Maple coaches are selected based on their experience, leadership, communication skills, commitment to player development, and dedication to growing the sport of roller hockey in Canada.

Our coaching staff may include experienced players, former athletes, community leaders, and hockey professionals from a variety of backgrounds. All coaches are expected to uphold the values of the Pure Maple and Roller Hockey Canada programs by providing a positive, inclusive, and development-focused environment for athletes.

To support consistency across the program, coaches work closely with Roller Hockey Canada and Pure Maple leadership on player development, team culture, and roster management. This collaborative approach helps ensure athletes are evaluated fairly, supported appropriately, and provided meaningful opportunities to develop both on and off the rink.

As a national program, our focus is on creating opportunities for players from across Canada while maintaining a transparent and athlete-centered approach to team selection and development. We believe strong coaching is built on preparation, mentorship, accountability, and a commitment to helping every player reach their potential.

As a national program, our focus is on creating opportunities for players from across Canada while maintaining a transparent and athlete-centered approach to team selection and development. We believe strong coaching is built on preparation, mentorship, accountability, and a commitment to helping every player reach their potential.

The Uniforms : 

Pure Maple has established a consistent program identity and brand. Players will purchase a Pure Maple uniform package designed to represent the program across multiple events and seasons whenever possible.

While updates and refinements may occur from time to time, our goal is to maintain consistency, reduce unnecessary costs for families, and provide athletes with a recognizable uniform they can proudly wear as they represent Pure Maple in competition. By creating a lasting club identity rather than a one-time event team, players can continue building their connection to the program year after year.

Team Formation & Player Placement

Most major roller hockey tournaments utilize tiered divisions such as Platinum, Gold, and Silver to help ensure teams compete against opponents of similar ability. This structure creates a more competitive, enjoyable, and development-focused experience for all participants.

Depending on registration numbers and player assessments, Pure Maple may form multiple teams within an age division. Our goal is to place athletes on the roster and in the division that best matches their current level of play, creating opportunities for both individual growth and team success.

The number of teams formed in any age category will vary from season to season based on player interest, tournament availability, and overall roster composition. As a result, placement on a particular team or competitive level cannot be guaranteed.

To support a fair and transparent process for all participants, players who accept a roster position are expected to be willing to compete on the team to which they are assigned. Roster placements are made with careful consideration of player development, team balance, positional needs, and competitive opportunities.

Pure Maple and Roller Hockey Canada are committed to an objective and athlete-centered evaluation process designed to provide the best possible experience for players while ensuring teams are positioned for success at their respective levels of competition.

Looking Ahead

We are incredibly excited to launch this next chapter of Pure Maple and continue growing the game of roller hockey across Canada.

The merger of the Pure Maple and True North programs represents more than a partnership. It is a shared commitment to creating more opportunities for players, strengthening development pathways, and building a thriving national roller hockey community from coast to coast.

Our mission is simple: to help as many athletes as possible experience the game we love, compete at meaningful events, build lasting friendships, and create memories that will stay with them for years to come.

Whether your goal is to challenge yourself against top competition, represent Canada at premier tournaments, or simply be part of an incredible team experience, we look forward to welcoming you to the Pure Maple family.

Go Canada Go! 🍁🏒🇨🇦

If you have any questions regarding the Pure Maple or True North programs, please contact us at:

nick.ruigrok@rollerhockeycanada.ca