The Shift Forward expands for second season

Home for national education and training courses grows by seven Members

NR.018.26

March 31, 2026

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CALGARY, Alberta – Following a successful pilot during the 2025-26 season, Hockey Canada’s learning and development culture program, The Shift Forward: Evolving Hockey Culture, has expanded by seven Members for its second phase.

Coaches, rostered staff, officials, and parents and guardians with 12 Hockey Canada Members will have access to the program and its modules, which were designed following an extensive consultation process to understand how education and training can better support participants and define healthy behaviours in hockey.

“The expansion of The Shift Forward is an exciting milestone as part of our shared commitment to creating safe and inclusive environments through a national education and training program that is age appropriate, modernized, hockey specific and engaging as participants progress through their hockey journey,” said Denise Pattyn, senior vice-president of people, culture and inclusion for Hockey Canada. “After piloting the program with our four Atlantic Members and Hockey North, we look forward to scaling our efforts with the additional seven Members to provide a broader impact and equip their participants to model the behaviours we want to see in the game on and off the ice.”

The second phase of The Shift Forward will launch on April 1 to participants with BC Hockey, Hockey Alberta, Hockey Saskatchewan, Hockey Northwestern Ontario, the Ontario Hockey Federation, Hockey Eastern Ontario and Hockey Quebec, with new modules available for those with Hockey North, Hockey New Brunswick, Hockey Nova Scotia, Hockey PEI and Hockey Newfoundland and Labrador.

As part of the initiative’s multi-year rollout, Hockey Canada and its Members will continue to recognize existing training programs until the conclusion of the 2027-28 season, at which time it is expected The Shift Forward will become mandatory for participants in Hockey Canada-sanctioned programs.

More information about The Shift Forward can be found here, along with an updated Frequently Asked Questions.