Welcome, and thank you, all parents, guardians, and players for taking part in our 2024/2025 “U16AA” team tryout. My name is Ryan Smith, and I will be your head coach for the 2024-25 season.
We are thrilled to invite you to participate in our upcoming hockey tryouts! As a highly competitive team, we are constantly seeking skilled players who are passionate about the game and dedicated to improving their abilities.
Our tryouts will begin held on April 30th, May 1st and for those players selected for the final tryout, there will be an exhibition game against Newmarket on May 3rd. During the tryouts, you will have the opportunity to showcase your skills and compete with other talented players. We encourage you to bring your best effort and enthusiasm to every drill, exercise, and scrimmage.
Selecting a team from all the talented players is very difficult on everyone. Let's remember that this is a game, we are all volunteers and selecting a team of players is a tough decision to make, and unfortunately, we can not select every player who tries out. It is important for parents to help manage their child’s expectations during this process. A roster position on this team should never be assumed. Let’s all make the tryout process an enjoyable one!
I am aware that some players (and/or their parents) may experience anxiety during this process. PLEASE kindly reinforce with your child that they perform at their best when feeling relaxed and confident.
We believe that hockey is more than just a sport; it's a community of individuals who share a common love for the game. By participating in our tryouts, you will not only have the opportunity to demonstrate your skills, but also to meet and connect with fellow hockey players who share your passion.
We hope that you are excited about this opportunity and are looking forward to seeing you at our tryouts. Please don't hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns.
Good luck, and we'll see you on the ice!
Coach Ryan
Head Coach – U16 AA
Please see the below information on details for the upcoming season.
Tryout Schedule:
1. Tryout 1: Tues, April 30th: 7:45pm – 9:15 pm Aurora CC (2-McAlpine Lincoln) Arrive 45min before
2. Tryout 2: Wed, May 1st: 8:45pm – 10:15pm Aurora CC (2-McAlpine Lincoln) Arrive 45min before
3. Tryout 3: Fri, May 3rd: 9:00pm – 10:30pm Aurora CC (2-McAlpine Lincoln Arrive 60min before
For Final Rostered Player Selected Important Dates:
1. Tigerware / Jersey Fitting (Mandatory)
Date: Thursday May 9th: 7:30pm
Location: Lion Share Marketing, 16610 Bayview Avenue, Unit 8.
Located one light south of Mulock on the west side of Bayview.
Tryout Process:
The first two tryouts will consist of a variety of drills and scrimmage time, the third tryout will be an exhibition game against Newmarket. Body contact will be included in our tryout sessions.
1. You must pre-register your child online (AMHA Website) for the upcoming season & purchase a tryout passport.
2. You will see your child’s passport number on the U16 AA – Tryout Player List page on the website. If your passport number is present, you are welcome to come to the tryout. If the number is not there, please contact the AMHA.
3. Please arrive at least 45 minutes before tryout 1,and 2, and 60 minutes prior to tryout 3.
4. When you arrive at the lobby of the ACC rink #2, please go to the AMHA table to sign-in and receive your child’s tryout jersey. THIS JERSEY MUST BE RETURNED AT THE END OF EACH TRYOUT. It does not go home.
5. Full protective gear is mandatory, including neck and mouth guards – players without, or missing such equipment, will NOT be allowed on the ice.
6. You MUST attend the first tryout in order to be invited back to the second, or third tryout unless provided permission by the Head Coach. If for whatever reason you are unable to attend, please email me to discuss.
Please note, the AMHA has lifted the guaranteed 3rd tryout protocol for incumbents.
Drills and Evaluations
The tryouts will be an anxious time for all of us while the players are evaluated.
It will be an extremely difficult task choosing players (15 or 16 players, 2 goalies) for the team from a large group of hardworking athletes. Player selection will be based on their individual abilities within these categories
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Skating
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Work Ethic
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Team Play
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Passing/Shooting
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Positional Play
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Coachability
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Hockey Sense
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Compete Level
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Checking
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Evaluation Team
Several INDEPENDENT and experienced coaches will act as evaluators and/or on ice instructors. Their opinions together with my own and the AMHA’s independent evaluators will select the U16 AA team. Please do not approach evaluators, all questions should be directed towards me through the 2024/2025 U16AA webpage email link.
During and after the tryout, please do NOT approach the evaluators, as they have a job to do.
The first on ice session will be open to any 2009 registered AMHA players. The second session will include all candidates asked to return from the first ice session. The Third and final session will include all candidates asked to return from the second tryout.
All players attending the 3rd tryout exhibition game, must be at the exhibition game 60 minutes prior to game time in order to sign-in, complete a warmup and be prepared for the game.
Selection or Release Process
Communication of my decisions after each tryout will occur via the website and NOT in person. Your child’s passport submission ID number is the code that identifies them on the website (look at the U16 AA website for the team and the tryout page).
· After the 1st tryout, results will be posted after 11pm on April 30th
· After the 2nd tryout, results will be posted after 6pm on May 2nd
· After the 3rd tryout, results will be posted after 11pm on May 3rd
Parents/Guardians of ‘released’ players are welcome to reach out via email to the Head Coach but please respect the OMHA protocol of waiting 48 hours after the final tryout, should you have specific questions or desire additional feedback.
A parent meeting for those selected to the team will be scheduled in the near future.
Team Expecations:
There will be a financial commitment from each family. The estimated financial commitment will be approximately $2,800 to 3,200. We will be looking for sponsorships and fundraising to help reduce the cost per family.
There will also be a time commitment required of each family. We will be on the ice 3 to 4 times per week with practices and games. It is expected that all players attend all practices and games.
We will be attending approx. 3 to 4 tournaments (at least one being an away tourney)
Coaching Staff
I will be selecting the remainder of the coaches/staff after the final tryout once the team is selected.
I will be looking for the following parent positions:
· 2-3 assistant coaches
· 1-2 practice coaches
· Team Manager
· Team trainer (I would prefer more than 1 as a backup)
· Other roles (videographers, fundraising, on-ice helpers during practices, etc.)
Positions:
All decisions about player positions are at the discretion of the coach and will most likely change during the season based on the needs of the team.
Attendance:
Once selected, players are expected to fully commit to the U16AA team by attending all regular practices, games, and tournaments, unless there is a valid reason for absence.
Tiger Jersey Fitting Day:
If your child makes the team, they MUST attend the Tigerware fitting on May 9th at 7:30pm. Lion Share Marketing, 16610 Bayview Avenue, Unit 8.
Ryan Smith
Head Coach –U16 AA