MYHA 2008-09 Squirt Tryout Information

Tryouts

General Information

Any youth player who meets the eligibility requirements as determined by the Minnkota District and the MYHA board are invited to participate in MYHA tryouts. Tryouts are mandatory for all players whose objective is to play at an “A” or “B” team level.  Tryout fees will be assessed (included in registration fees) to all players who participate in tryouts.  A player may elect not to participate in tryouts in which case they will be automatically assigned to a “C” team or the lowest team level fielded at their appropriate level. Players who elect to not participate in tryouts will not be assessed tryout fees.       

Attendance

In order to insure a balanced number of participants on the ice, each player is assigned a specific tryout schedule. Players are required to attend their assigned tryout sessions. Players who attempt to attend a tryout session that they are not assigned to without the level coordinators permission will be asked to attend their scheduled session.    

Schedule Conflicts

If a player is unable to attend one of their scheduled tryouts, they must notify the level coordinator prior to the start of that tryout.  The coordinator will determine whether the player will be assigned to a make-up session if one is available.  Players who attempt to attend a tryout session that they are not assigned to without the level coordinators permission will be redirected to their scheduled session.

Tryout Injury / Absence Guidelines (will miss entire tryouts)

Parent /guardian of an injured player must approach the MYHA Team Director with an appeal for a tryout waiver with a written doctor’s excuse, prior to tryout sessions.

An injured/ill player must be expected to return to 100% of his/her playing capabilities by December 1^st, based on a doctor’s estimation, to be eligible for a spot on any “A” or “B” team level.  This date is based on Minnesota Hockey Roster deadlines.  Players who cannot be expected to perform at their full playing potential by December 1^st can be placed on a “C” team or lowest level offered, provided there are openings.

The matter will be discussed between the player’s previous year’s coach and the Hockey Development Committee members with full consideration being given to coaches recommendations.

Players Injured or Absent During Tryouts

When a player misses a tryout session for an excused absence the MYHA board reserves the right to assign that player to a team on a case-by-case basis. Players that desire the board to review their team assignment due to an excused absence must notify the Team Director in writing. The notification must state the specific reason for the absence and any remaining tryout sessions they will be unable to attend.  The Team Director will review the information with the Hockey Development Director/Committee to determine which team the player will be assigned to. In considering which team a player will be assigned to, the Hockey Development Director/Committee will review the following:

1. The total number of tryout sessions missed and the player’s current ranking result in any completed tryout sessions.
2. The player’s prior year evaluation and the level they played.
3. Last year’s coaches recommendation.

Decisions regarding assigning players due to missing tryouts are final and not subject grievance committee appeals.

Tryout Process

Tryouts schedules are posted on-line as soon as they become available. Depending on their level, players will be asked to attend three to five evaluation sessions. Each tryout session will be approximately 50 to 60 minutes in length and is designed to limit the number of players on the ice to a manageable number per session.  The initial tryout groups will be established by placing all registered players at the particular level in alphabetical order and divided at the points that will allow the groups to have an equal number of skaters and goalies.  After the first session players will be assigned to a specific tryout scrimmage pool.   Scrimmage pool assignments will be posted on-line at www.tonkahockey.org website. Tryout pool assignments are designed to help the evaluators better evaluate players of comparable skill level. Participating in a specific pool does not guarantee players will be assigned to teams drawn from that pool. Players may be asked to attend more than one tryout pool on the same day.  If they are asked to participate in another pool, this does not guarantee they will be placed in that pool the following day.

Goalie Only Session

During the tryout some levels will have a separate goalie only evaluation session with only goalies, shooters, and evaluators allowed on the ice.  All goalies must attend this session in addition to their assigned groups.  The shooters will be players not trying out at that level.  The two goalie specific evaluators will grade this session.

Evaluators

Typically three (3) outside evaluators and one (1) coach/staff (non-parent) will evaluate each level.  In addition, two (2) goalie specific evaluators will evaluate the goalies.  All players, both skaters and goalies, will receive scores from a total of four (4) evaluators.

The Hockey Development Committee/Hockey Development Director’s expectations will be set with the evaluators prior to tryouts defining evaluation criteria, tryout format, how to complete forms, evaluation scale, comments, etc.

The outside evaluators and coach/staff will sit separately and evaluate the players individually (not as a group).  No discussion regarding players shall occur between the outside evaluators, the coaches, or the general MYHA membership.  

Scoring for All Levels

Evaluators will use a new evaluation sheet for each session. 

A scale of 1-10 points using a LEVEL grade to represent points will be used for scoring players as follows:

A++ =10, A+=9,  A=8,  B+=6, B=5, B-=4, C+=3, C=2, C-+1 

All sessions carry equal weight and each evaluators scores carry equal weight.  The player’s placement for the next day’s session is based on the cumulative score after each session.  For example, each player will receive an individual score from each evaluator.  The total of these scores will determine their placement for the next day.  This continues until the end of the final day.  Evaluators will score players based on the following areas:  Skating skills, Passing skills, Stick Handling skills, Effort, Attitude, Team Play, Checking skills, Mobility, etc.

Goalies will be scored by evaluators on the following areas:  Use of stick, gloves, pads, and skates, Positioning, Control of Rebounds, Passing skills, Puck control, Hustle, Effort, Team play, Attitude, Mobility, etc.

Evaluations

Squirts:

Day 1 - Players split into 3 or 4 groups based on alphabet.  Warm up drills followed by 5 on 5, 4 on 4 or 3 on 3 scrimmage based on size of group.

Day 2 – 3 or 4 pools based on grading from day 1.  Scrimmage 5 on 5, 4 on 4 or 3 on 3 based on size of group.

Day 3 – 3 or 4 pools based on grading from the first 2 days.  Scrimmages, 1 on 1, 2 on 2, etc. to help determine the cut between A and B, B and C.

The HDC believes that the scrimmage format is the best format to use in making our team selections.  This format allows the evaluators to rate the skills of the players under game conditions.  Some important factors that will affect scoring are listed below.

Player playing forward position:

-          quickness

-          forchecking ability – hustle, proper angling, finishing a check

-          backchecking – coming back hard and picking up the open player

-          bodychecking – proper use of body check.

-          team play – head man the puck, make passes when it is called for (don’t hog the puck).

-          ability to work a 2 on 1 situation

-          puck protection ability

Player playing defensive position:

-          backward skating ability

-          lateral mobility

-          transition skating

-          gap control

-          quick puck movement up to forwards

-          angling and checking ability in defensive zone

-          does player jump up into offensive play

-          proper play of a 2 on 1 and 1 on 1 situation

-          puck protection ability

Player playing goalie position:

-          movement (lateral, in/out, agility)

-          save selection/execution

-          rebound control

-          mental focus/competitiveness

-          angles/square to puck

Team Selection

Teams are selected based on the cumulative scoring achieved throughout the try out process.  Rosters will be filled and based on performance at tryouts.  At the conclusion of the tryout sessions the evaluators will select the teams based on cumulative score and tryout ratings.  The “A” team will have 13 skaters.  The 11 highest rated players per cumulative score will automatically earn a position on the “A” team.  The “A” level coach may select the final two skaters provided that these two skaters are ranked no lower than the 16^th in cumulative score.  If the “A” level coach is a parent he/she will not be involved in the evaluation process and the top 13 rated players will automatically be placed on the “A” team.  The process will continue for each level until all players are assigned to a team.  If there are two teams at the same level, i.e. two B teams, the level coordinator along with the evaluators will create teams of equal ability in their best judgment.  Head coaches will be assigned to these teams after the team rosters have been determined.  All things being equal, a 2^nd yr player will be given preference over a 1^st yr player.  Final rosters will be posted on-line and Pagel 24 – 36 hrs after tryouts have concluded.  Selection to a team as a first year player will not entitle a player to a roster spot in subsequent years.  If a player is going to be moved down a level from the previous year, the reasons for doing so will be communicated directly to the player and parents during or immediately after tryouts.

Player Information

1. Players attend your assigned tryout session.

2. At the first tryout session check in with the level coordinator. They will give you a tryout jersey to keep for the duration of tryouts and answer any questions.

3. Players shall wear a black or blue helmet and a plain black or white jersey with typical Tonka blue, black and/or white colored socks.  Both socks should be the same color.  NO NAME on the jersey or helmet.  Wear all your standard hockey equipment including mouth and neck guards.

4. Check your hockey bag each day before tryouts.

5. Arrive at the rink ½ hour early before each session.

6. If you are sick or injured or otherwise unable to participate in tryouts, notify the level coordinator as soon as possible.   

Parent Information  

The MYHA board strongly discourages parents and spectators from attending tryouts sessions in respect to all the players trying out.  Parents may assist a player as needed, but MYHA would prefer that you leave the arena before the tryout session begins.

1. No player will be allowed to tryout if their account is not current.  This means the     registration fee and any past due amounts must be paid.   Please contact Jackie Fallon (treasurer@tonkahockey.org) if you have any questions regarding your account.

2. Players should be dropped off ½ hour before their scheduled tryout session.

3. The Hockey Development Director, Coaches or Level Coordinators will not discuss or communicate any ranking, standing, or grading of any player or players to any player or parent during tryouts.

4. Parents should not discuss or communicate any ranking, standing or grading of any player or players with the Hockey Development Director, Coaches or Level Coordinators during tryouts.

5. Questions during the tryouts should be addressed with the level coordinator.

6. If the level coordinator is unable to provide a satisfactory response, concerns should be escalated the Team Director, Grievance Committee and finally the MYHA board. Under no circumstances should parents have direct contact during tryouts with the Hockey Development Director or head coaches.

7. Team selections will be posted no sooner than 24 hrs after the last tryout session.

Post Tryout Process

1. A post tryout evaluation form will be made available for feedback/comments from parents about the tryout process.

2. Player final ranking or score WILL NOT be shared with players/parents.  However comments from the evaluators can be made available by submitting the request in writing (including a self addressed envelope) to the level coordinator.  The response may take up to 3 weeks and will be in writing.  No emails.

3. After tryouts, a 48-hour cooling off period applies during which neither the parents nor players may initiate contact with coaches, level coordinators or MYHA  Board members.

4. Concerns regarding tryouts and team placement once tryouts are complete, must be submitted in writing (no emails) to the level coordinator.  Please drop off written concern/request at Pagel Arena with the appropriate level coordinator’s name on it.

Contacts:

MYHA Squirt Tryout Schedule 2008

All Sessions are at Pagel

** Please note number of pools, length and time are subject to change

Important notes

Team Estimates: A (13,2), 3 B teams and 3 C teams with approx 12/11 skaters and 2/1 goalies per team.

Attend only your designated tryout session.

Arrive early the first day to sign-in and receive your tryout pullover.

Players may be asked to attend multiple sessions.

Players asked to stay for another session are not guaranteed to stay in that pool.

Day 2 pools will be posted online by 8pm Saturday, November 1^st.

Day 3 pools will be posted online by 9pm Sunday, November 2^nd.

Final Teams will be posted online by 7pm Tuesday, November 4^th.

Any changes will be posted online.

Questions should be directed to the Squirt Level Coordinator Tom Fleck at SquirtLevelCoordinator@tonkahockey.org or 612-618-8091.

Concerns regarding tryouts and team placement once tryouts are complete, must be submitted in writing (no emails) to the level coordinator.  Please drop off written concern/request at Pagel Arena with the appropriate level coordinator's name on it.