TRYOUT PROCESS 2024-2025 U10 - U18
EVALUATION PROCESS
For each competitive team, the Head Coach, plus a minimum of 2 additional evaluators, assigned by the Coaching Convenor and approved by the Tryout Committee, will evaluate the players during the tryout process. At least one of the evaluators must be a member of the SDMHA Executive Board. This Board Member will be designated as the “Age Group Champion” for the entire tryout process for that age group (including both Rep A and B).
SDMHA Board will decide team sizes and final teams will be selected based on the evaluation sheets, input from the Head Coach, the Age Group Champion, and approval of the Tryout Committee.
Positional player evaluation forms will be comprised of 4 categories (Skating, Drive/Aggression, Play Making/Puck Control, and Hockey Sense).
Goalie evaluation forms will be comprised of 5 categories (Skating/Movement, Positioning, Save Selection/Rebound Control, Tracking, and Hockey IQ/Competitiveness)
Evaluation sheets are returned each night and tabulated.
Players cut from Competitive Teams that would like feedback concerning their tryout can request additional information from the Head Coach and Age Group Champion. This feedback is intended to provide the players with an idea of specific areas of focus for further improvement. Feedback can be requested by emailing the Coaching Convenor ([email protected]) who will coordinate an electronic response with the Head Coach and Age Group Champion.
REP A TEAM TRYOUT PROCESS
STEP 1 – SKILLS EVALUATION & INTERSQUAD GAME(S)
Players will be initially assessed through one 50 min sorting skate and one intra-squad. These on ice sessions may be comprised of skill based drills, inter-squad scrimmage, or some variation such as half-ice 3 on 3 as determined by the Head Coach.
On-ice sessions will be led by Head Coach of division (or assigned designate) and assisted as needed by certified SDMHA Coaches chosen by the Head Coach
Goalies are to attend these sessions to support shooting drills, and participate in the inter-squad scrimmages. Although Goalies will not be formally evaluated during this process, the Head Coach will be observing goalie performance, effort, etc. during the Inter-squad sessions to determine effectiveness in game-like scenario.
Referees may be scheduled for U15, U16 and U18 Divisions if deemed necessary for Intra-squad scrimmages.
Selection Process
- Initial cuts will be made such that no greater than 23 positional players advance to the Exhibition Games
- The number of Goalies advancing will be determined by Tryout Committee and will be based on the skills evaluations, Head Coach assessment of inter-squad performance, and the overall number of Goalies registered per division within each division
- Lists of players advancing will be posted on the SDMHA website Rep team page www.sdmha.org
- Players cut at this step in the process, will proceed to the Rep B Tryouts
Step 2 - EXHIBITION GAMES
Step 2 of the Rep Tryout process will be comprised of up to 2 Exhibition Games
In order to comply with OMHA's ruling of the number of players allowed to be listed on the game sheet, the Head Coach may be required to sit players. This will be done in consultation with the Tryout Committee and the Age Group Champion.
Game sheets will be completed and submitted. Game length will be determined by league game standards.
At a minimum, there must be a designated Head Coach (actual Head Coach or certified non-affiliated delegate) and a certified non-affiliated Trainer on the game sheet and the bench. Additional bench staff can be used provided they are non-affiliated.
Referees and Timekeepers to be scheduled
Selection Process
- All games will be evaluated with evaluation sheets being signed, returned and tabulated after each game.
- Cuts can be made after each Exhibition Game
- Lists of players advancing will be posted on the SDMHA website Rep team page www.sdmha.org
- Players cut at this step in the process, will proceed to the Rep B Tryouts
REP B TEAM TRYOUT PROCESS
STEP 1 – PLACEMENT OF FINAL REP CUTS
The Head Coach will have the option of placing up to 3 Forwards and 2 Defensemen on the AE team. These players would be selected from the Players cut last from the Rep tryout process. This will require formal review and approval by the Tryout Committee. This group of placed players will not be required to participate in the AE tryout process. The intent of this is to allow more players to participate in the remaining part of the process. It also aids in the evaluation process.
STEP 2 – SKILLS EVALUATION / INTERSQUAD GAME
Inter-Squad Scrimmage and/or Player Skill Evaluation
Players assessed 50 min ice time. A portion of this may include skill based drills, an inter-squad scrimmage, or some variation such as half-ice 3 on 3 as determined by the Head Coach.
On-ice activities will be led by Head Coach (or assigned designate) and assisted by two or three certified SDMHA Coaches as chosen by the Head Coach
Goalies will participate and will be evaluated
Goalie Specific Skills Evaluation U11 - U18
There will not be a separate AE goalie evaluation process. Instead, the evaluations from the initial Rep Goalie Specific Skills Session will be used as part of the selection process
Selection Process
- Initial cuts may be made such that no greater than 23 positional players advance to the Exhibition Games
- The number of Goalies advancing will be determined by Tryout Committee and will be based on the skills evaluations, and the overall number of Goalies registered per division within each division
- Lists of players advancing be will posted on the SDMHA website AE team page www.sdmha.org
- Players cut at this step in the process, will proceed to the Local League Sorting Skates
STEP 3 – EXHIBITION GAMES
Step 3 of the Rep B Tryout process will be comprised of up to 2 Exhibition Games
In order to comply with OMHA's ruling of the number of players allowed to be listed on the game sheet, the Head Coach may be required to sit players. This will be done in consultation with the Tryout Committee and the Age Group Champion.
Game sheets will be completed and submitted. Game length will be determined by league game standards.
At a minimum, there must be a designated Head Coach (actual Head Coach or certified non-affiliated delegate) and a certified non-affiliated Trainer on the game sheet and the bench. Additional bench staff can be used provided they are non-affiliated.
Referees and Timekeepers to be scheduled
Selection Process
- All games will be evaluated with evaluation sheets being signed, returned and tabulated after each game.
- Cuts can be made after each Exhibition Game
- Lists of players advancing will be posted on the SDMHA website Rep B team page www.sdmha.org
- Players cut at this step in the process, will proceed to the Local League Sorting Skates
LOCAL LEAGUE SORTING SKATES
The Head Coaches of each Local League Team within a Division will evaluate during the sorting skates - three evaluators per division; divisions with only two Local League Teams will be assigned an additional evaluator (individual to be determined by Coaching Convener)
Local League Sorting Skate #1 consists of 1 hour skill based skate led by one or two certified SDMHA Coaches (Coaching Convener to assign)
Simplified evaluation form with three categories are returned and tabulated
Forwards and Defense Players ranked top to bottom; Coaches divide players based on rankings from Sorting Skate #1 into equally balanced teams with Local League Convener
Local League Sorting Skate #2 consists of an intra-squad scrimmage (length determined by league game lengths) with one Referee and one Timekeeper; Head Coaches with their potential bench staff will assume bench positions, including Trainer
Any inequalities between the teams will be adjusted following the inter-squad scrimmage
Final Teams will be posted on the website LL team page www.sdmha.org