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Toronto is a sports city – and hockey is close to its heart.

In a new video, members of the ������Ƶ community reflect on how U of T’s Varsity Blues hockey program inspired the Toronto Maple Leafs – and how the future of hockey is diverse and inclusive.

“I’m excited about the future of hockey because I think we’ve never been in a better place – especially with the creation of a professional women’s league,” says Jayna Hefford, a five-time Olympic medallist in women’s hockey who is now senior vice-president of the Professional Women’s Hockey League and a former Varsity Blues Player.

“If we want Canada and hockey to thrive, we need as many people playing as we can.”

Cole Purboo, a fourth-year student at Rotman Commerce and captain of the Varsity Blues men’s hockey team, says he, too, believes the future of the game is one that is “more diverse and more accessible for more people.”

The video also explores how the at U of T and Sinai Health is shaping the future of athletics and ensuring that sports are for everyone. 

“We saw an opportunity to encourage engagement, drive performance and accelerate recovery through groundbreaking and globally recognized research,” says Larry Tanenbaum, philanthropist and chair of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, “allowing athletes of all levels and ability to reach their maximum potential.”

Interviews in this video include: 

• Larry Tanenbaum, chair of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, philanthropist behind the U of T Tanenbaum Institute for Science in Sport at U of T and Sinai Health 
• Bruce Kidd, professor emeritus, sport and public policy, Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education
• Cole Purboo, fourth-year student at Rotman Commerce, Varsity Blues men’s hockey team Captain 
• Jayna Hefford, senior vice-president hockey operations for the Professional Women’s Hockey League, Varsity Blues Women’s Hockey 1996-97