Our Story

Kalley Armstrong is the granddaughter of Toronto Maple Leaf captain George Armstrong. Nicknamed “the Chief” by the Stoney Plains First Nation reserve, he is considered one of the trailblazing Indigenous hockey players in the National Hockey League. George is the longest-serving captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs. He played a total of 21 seasons in the NHL between 1950-1971, winning a total of 4 Stanley Cups and is the last Leaf captain to hoist the cup in 1967. Inspired by her grandfather, Kalley went on to captain the Harvard Women’s Hockey Team and finished her senior year with the Crimson ranked as the 2nd best NCAA Division 1 team in the country. 

In 2019, Kalley launched Armstrong Hockey in honor of her grandfather and the stories and values he passed down to her. Armstrong Hockey focuses on coaching and mentoring young Indigenous hockey players, with a specific focus on girls. Too often, Indigenous girls are overlooked in sport—especially in hockey. Armstrong Hockey wants to change that. We believe that when girls are supported to lead, play, and grow in ways that reflect who they are, they thrive. And when they thrive, entire communities thrive with them. 

Kalley has since run hockey camps in First Nations across Ontario and is expanding across Canada. She takes pride in establishing meaningful and lasting relationships with communities and their youth. 

Our Mission

Armstrong Hockey is deeply committed to fostering community engagement and providing supportive environments for the growth and development of Indigenous youth through the sport of hockey. We value empowerment and mentorship of Indigenous youth, specifically girls, and connection to community and culture.

Our Values

  • Honoring Legacy, Building Futures

    Armstrong Hockey was founded by Kalley Armstrong, inspired by the legacy of her grandfather, George Armstrong, a pioneering Indigenous hockey player and the longest-serving captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Known affectionately as “the Chief” and celebrated for his leadership and integrity, George Armstrong's remarkable career in the NHL, including four Stanley Cup victories, reflects the values we strive to embody and promote.

  • Commitment to Community

    We are deeply committed to fostering community engagement and providing supportive environments for the growth and development of Indigenous youth. Kalley proudly continues this commitment, coaching youth from the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation, Munsee-Delaware First Nation, and Oneida Nation of the Thames.

  • Empowerment Through Sports

    We believe in the power of sports to empower individuals and communities. We provide specialized hockey development programs for Indigenous girls and youth, aiming to instill confidence, resilience, and leadership skills through the spirit of fair play and teamwork.

  • Inclusivity and Accessibility

    Our programs are designed to be inclusive and accessible, ensuring that all young athletes, regardless of their background or skill level, have the opportunity to participate. Our initiatives are crafted to break down barriers and open doors for all aspiring hockey players.

  • Legacy of Excellence

    Inspired by George Armstrong’s excellence on and off the ice, we uphold the highest standards in all our endeavors. We strive for excellence not only in developing hockey skills but also in cultivating the personal growth of each athlete who joins our programs.

  • Respect for Culture and Heritage

    Respecting and integrating Indigenous cultures and heritages into our programs is fundamental to our mission. We honor the rich histories and contributions of Indigenous communities by creating spaces that celebrate and educate about these traditions within our hockey camps and events.

Player Bio

Kalley played 4 years at Harvard University, captaining the team in her senior year and helping the Crimson to win the 2015 Ivy League Championship, the 2015 ECAC Season Championship, the 2015 ECAC Tournament Championship, the 2015 Beanpot Championship, and finish as the 2015 Frozen Four Runner-Up. As a junior she was selected to the All-Ivy League Second Team and named the ECAC Best Defensive Forward. Kalley led the team in game winning goals for two seasons. Kalley suffered a severe concussion at the conclusion of her junior year in 2013 and after recovering a year later and returning to play for the Crimson in 2014, she decided to retire from hockey and pursue coaching.