Chris Tanev Interview with Mark Masters (TSN)

Tanev talks 'Where It All Began' Tour and long road back from injury-plagued Leafs season

Chris Tanev will meet and greet fans during an event Sunday at Victoria Village Arena, which is where he played minor hockey. The 36-year-old defenceman, who underwent core muscle surgery in March, is hoping to be on the ice next week when the Leafs open training camp. Tanev spoke to TSN about the "Where It All Began Tour" and a challenging summer of rehab.

TSN Video Interview

MEET TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS CHRIS TANEV AT VICTORIA VILLAGE ARENA

Date: Sunday September 13^th

Location: Victoria Village Arena (Doors open at 10am, ends at 2pm)

Cost of ticket: $90 (Only 500 tickets available)

Ticket includes: 1. Meet and Greet with Chris Tanev, 2. Personally Signed 8"x10" Photo by Chris Tanev (NHLPA Certified), 3. Goodie Bag from Sponsors (up to $200), 4. Digital Picture Taken with Chris Tanev Emailed to Ticket Holder (Priceless)

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Where it All Began Tour

Home is where your heart is. For Chris Tanev, the Toronto Maple Leafs powerhouse defenseman, his first home was with the Victoria Village House League (VVHL).

Chris laced up his first pair of skates with Victoria Village at just 5 years old. There, he gained the confidence and skill to jump from house league to select to rep hockey. From ages 9-15, Tanev played with some of the top GTHL teams of the time (North York Canadiens, Toronto Red Wings, and Mississauga Reps). But being the smallest on the ice meant he was often overlooked by coaches and scouts.

It was Chris’ grit and determination that pushed him to never give up on his dream of playing in the NHL. Where most players make it to the pros through the draft. At under 5’10”, Tanev was never drafted. Instead, he played NCAA hockey at RIT University on a US scholarship.

It was during his first year there that his prowess on the ice caught the attention of NHL scouts. In 2010, Chris's dream of playing in the NHL finally came true, and he signed as a free agent with the Vancouver Canucks. The smallest guy on the ice had made it.

In his 16 years of NHL hockey, Tanev has grown, not just into his 6’3 stature but also into an elite defenseman known for his hockey IQ, his positional awareness and his fearless shot-blocking skills.

From learning to skate at Victoria Village HL to playing on hockey’s biggest stage, Chris’s journey hasn’t been easy. Despite adversity and not fitting the traditional mold of a hockey player, his love of the game has never faltered. He is a devoted team player, who remains proof that with hard work, anything is possible.

About

The Vikings House League Program is a not-for-profit program offering hockey development for ages 4 up to 17. Our season runs from the middle of October until the beginning of April. We focus on developing player skills and fostering a fun and inclusive environment for all hockey players.

Players play 1 House League game a week and have 1 House League practice per week. Optional special skills and goalie training sessions are available to all registered players.

Sharpen your skates. The puck drops on the 2025/2026 season October 15th.

Player Divisions

Our House League divisions are organized by your player’s birth year and each division is a grouping of two or more age groups. Depending on registration numbers, we may alter age groups and practice or game times for the best player experience. If you would like to request a different age group for your player, please speak with us before registering.

NEW for the 2026/2027 Season: All U7-U15 division practices and games will rotate weekly between time slots.

Saturday House League Practice times: 8am, 9am, 10am, or 12noon.

Sunday Game Day times: 7am, 8am, 9am, 10am, 11am, 12pm, or 1pm

House League fees are prorated for players who register after the start of the regular season.

House League Team Practices

Welcome Valkyrie Hockey!

We’re excited to partner with Valkyrie Hockey to bring professional skill development to all our House League players. Valkyrie Hockey will be leading our U7 Learn to Play program as well as working with all our division house players in monthly special skill sessions. These special skill sessions will focus on power skating, stick handling, and shooting.

Our regular House League Program follows the Initiation Program requirements set out by Hockey Canada and the Ontario Hockey Federation to support the development of your hockey player and promote a lifelong love of this sport. This program features cross-ice and half-ice modifications for the HIP/U7 and U9 divisions that was mandated for all House League Programs in 2019/2020.

Players in the U7-U15 divisions will have weekly division-wide Development Skates/Practices. (Players in the U18 division have optional bi-weekly skates). These skates are a balance of age-appropriate drills and skills, team tactics and FUN. Our practices are designed by a trained coach and led by our volunteer Vikings Coaches.

Player Skills and Drills and Goalie Training

Develop your player’s skills and confidence with our weekly skills and drills sessions for skaters or goalie training sessions - at no extra cost. These weekly sessions are available in addition to House League practices and are for all registered players in the U7-U15 age groups.

Schedule and Standings

All House League players will play 1 game per week in either a full-ice, half-ice or cross-ice format, depending on their age/division.

Remember, getting game-ready takes time, so we ask Viking Families to come at least 30 minutes before their ice time for players to get dressed.

Thank You Sponsors

As a not-for-profit organization, we rely on generous support from community and corporate sponsors. Their donations help us build our hockey village and develop the next generation of hockey players.

U18 Sponsors

U15 Sponsors

 

 

 

U13 Sponsors

 

 

U11 Sponsors

U9 Sponsors

Timbits U7 Sponsors

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Timbits U7 - LEARN TO PLAY [HIP]

What is HIP? HIP is a Learn to Play program for our 'new to hockey' players. The goal of HIP is to enhance a player's first experience with hockey through modified ice environments and age-appropriate progressive learning.

What does that mean for your player? It means they develop their skills and love for the game on an ice surface that’s the right size for them. This means more puck time, more chances to develop their skills and more time working as a team. Isn’t that more fun?

Who is HIP for? Everyone! HIP is a Learn to Play program that is for players of all ages.

Not sure what program is right for your player? Shoot us an email, we'd be happy to help.

Financial Support and Bauer's First Shift Program

At Victoria Village, we believe everyone should have the opportunity to play hockey. If your family requires financial support, there are programs available to help offset the cost of hockey and get your player on the ice. Here are links to a few programs available to families. If you have questions, please reach out to us.

The First Shift Program is a 6-week hockey program that introduces new players to the game of hockey with a focus on FUN and Learn to Play. Each player is outfitted with full hockey gear and has the opportunity to join the Victoria Village House League Program at end of the 6-weeks.

PA Day Hockey Camp

Our PA DAY Camps are finished for the 2025/2026 Season.

Grow your players' skills and register them for a Vikings PA Day Hockey Camp. The camp is 3 hours of on-ice time devoted to building hockey skills, growing confidence, strengthening their hockey IQ and having FUN. Open to players in the U9-U15 division. Goalies welcome too!

Date: TBD

Time: 9:00am - 12:00m (Drop off: 8:30am Pick up: 12:00pm)

Cost: $75

Location: Victoria Village Arena

FAQ

Victoria Village Executive Members and Board of Directors

The Victoria Village Executive and Board of Directors are volunteers from our local hockey community. They volunteer their time and effort to support our organization, build our community and develop the next generation of hockey players.