With tryouts for this year's team just a week away, I thought now was a good time to send out some reminders and an overview of what can be expected from the program this year.
Please remember to have one parent complete the Respect in Sport "parent" version before the first ice time. There is a link directly from the website home page. This is a mandatory requirement before your child will be allowed on the ice.
This is the first year our kids will be body checking. The checking clinic is also mandatory so please make sure your child is in attendance. Goalies are not required.
I am very excited about the tryouts. We will be running 4 skates and one exhibition game. The 2002 age group has been amongst the strongest in the West London organization. I know that there are more than 15 skaters and 2 goalies that could play on this team. As you know, 15 skaters and 2 goalies are all that we are allowed to roster. What does this mean for our tryouts? It means we have 17 spots available this year. And it makes no difference where you played last year. Seeded MD or HL. Below are some of the criteria we will look for.
I will have 6 independent evaluators during the tryout process, including some that will be focusing just on the goalies. The gentlemen helping have no affiliation with this age group, and they all possess excellent hockey IQ's. I am anticipating lots of dialogue between the evaluators as they share their individual insights and opinions. We will be looking for attitude, work ethic, teamwork, discipline, and ability. Throughout the tryouts we want to have to make tough decisions. This means that the process works.
Tryouts are a stressful time for the kids, and as parents you can help your child by being positive and supportive. Additional pressure away from the ice adds no value to this process. I am happy to provide feedback to players after tryouts are completed, if requested. I do plan on carrying kids in AP roles for the club all year. This will be decided after tryout completion. Immediately after the team is confirmed, I will hold a parent meeting. At least one parent must attend. We will be going over the season in more detail, but below is an overview that you are welcome to discuss with your child to ensure it is a good fit for your family.
The MD program has a large time and financial commitment. Most, if not all of our events are mandatory. We will have two away tournaments and two local, and hopefully Alliance at the end of the year. A full commitment is required. If you feel like this is a commitment that you cannot make, feel free to discuss it with me over the tryout period, before final team selections are made.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THIS HOCKEY PROGRAM:
- Fun. Competitiveness and fun do not have to be mutually exclusive.
- An opportunity to learn fundamentals, techniques, strategies and skill development of hockey.
- Players will learn and develop by repeatedly playing in competitive and highly pressurized situations. These skills will help with confidence, and can be applied to their lives away from the ice.
- Accountability. Having a place on a supportive team where they will be able to contribute to other's success and have others contribute to their success.
- An opportunity to learn the life skill of dealing with tough loses and individual setbacks, and how to respond to both.
- Individual mid year reviews where the player can have a understanding of their strengths, and areas where they can focus to improve. This will be done in a constructive and positive way.
- Kids will be allowed to shoot and encouraged to do so. But most importantly they will be allowed to miss. Mistakes are an opportunity to educate and develop.
- High tempo practices that will be well prepared based on continued skill development and related to improved game play.
- Real time game instruction. All done in a calm and a positive manner for maximum player retention.
- The opportunity to win with class, and the chance to display excellent sportsmanship.
Most kids do not go on to play university or college, let alone professionally. Youth sports should be a platform to develop character in our youth. I love to win, but the "win at all costs" attitude puts kids at risk. This program is about development, and putting kids in situations where they can succeed and move on to the next level.
I look forward to seeing everyone at the rink next week.
Derek