Hello Players and Parents.
Welcome, to the Aurora Tigers U13 AA team page.
My name is Jon Wilson and I am proud to be the Head Coach of this team. I am also excited about this upcoming season and expect the team will have tremendous success. As a team we will work hard to achieve our best, to be well connected both on and off the ice, and equally as important - to have a great time!
I have worked with many head coaches over the years with my kids and in the past couple of years, had success coaching spring/ summer 2013 girls elite hockey (Pro Hockey, NLH).
I recognize that the tryout process can be stressful for many players (and parents as well) so please encourage your players to bring their very best effort and attitude. Remind them to skate hard, finish their drills and try to be as relaxed and confident as possible so they perform at their best.
Please know that a rostered position on this team should never be assumed - it must be earned! And know that I am a strong believer that a player’s “will and determination” is as equally as important as their hockey skills.
I wish everyone the very best of luck!
Outlined below please find information relating to the tryout process, evaluation criteria and the upcoming season.
TRYOUT SCHEDULE
• Tryout #1 Sat April 26 11:45am - 1:15pm (ACC-2)
• Tryout #2 Sun April 27 3:15pm - 4:45pm (ACC-2)
• Tryout #3 Thu May 1 8:00pm - 9:30pm (ACC-1)
The first two tryouts will consist of a variety of hockey drills and scrimmage time, whereas the last session will be a game format.
TRYOUT PROCESS
• You must pre-register your player on the AMHA website for the upcoming season and purchase a Tryout Passport.
• Please arrive 45-minutes before Tryouts #1, #2 and #3.
• When you arrive, please go to the AMHA sign-in table located in the main lobby outside ACC-2. There you will be given an assigned tryout jersey to use that day. Please note that THIS JERSEY MUST BE RETURNED AT THE END OF EACH TRYOUT SESSION. It does not go home.
• Full protective gear is mandatory, including neck guard and mouth guards. Players without proper equipment will not be permitted on the ice.
• You must attend the first tryout to be invited back to the second and third tryouts, unless provided with permission by the Head Coach. Rare exceptions to this may be permitted under certain circumstances, if need be, please email me in advance to discuss.
• To ensure fairness and impartiality, there will be a team of independent evaluators who will assist me with player assessment, including representatives from the AMHA.
• During and after the tryout, please do NOT approach the evaluators.
RESULTS
After each tryout, decisions will be communicated on the “Tryout Player List” page of the Aurora Tigers U13 AA team website. Your player's tryout passport submission ID number is the code that identifies your player on the website.
Players advancing to the next round of tryouts will find their passport ID number listed.
TRYOUT EXPECTATIONS
Several independent and experienced coaches will function as evaluators during the tryout process, as well as the on-ice instructors. Their opinions, together with my own, plus input from the independent AMHA evaluators, will select the 2025/2026 U13 AA team.
Please know that this combined feedback will be used to help select the maximum of 15 skaters and 2 goalies for the team.
There will be many factors considered in this decision-making process including the following:
1. Skating
2. Puck Handling
3. Shooting
4. Coachability
5. Battling
6. Hockey IQ
7. Attentiveness
8. Team Play
9. Attitude
During the tryout process it is important to not approach the evaluators as they are focused on the task at hand. Instead, please direct any questions to me through the U13 AA website email link.
TEAM EXPECTATIONS
Before committing, please take the following into consideration.
• The financial commitment for each player is estimated to be between $2,500 - $3,500, although we will be looking for sponsorships to help offset these costs.
• A significant time commitment will be required. On average we will be on the ice 3-4 times per week and players are expected to attend all practices and games. When players miss practices and/or games it impacts the whole team.
• All decisions about player positions are at the discretion of the Head Coach/Coaching Staff, and player positions can change throughout the season.
• We will be attending approximately 3-4 tournaments, of which at least 1 will be an away tournament.
• If your player makes the team, they MUST attend a MANDATORY Tiger Wear Team fitting on Tuesday, May 6, 2025 @ 7:30pm. Fittings are held at the Lion's Share Hockey, 16619 Bayview Ave, Newmarket.
• Our season will begin immediately following tryouts with a Parent Meeting during which essential information about the upcoming season will be shared in greater detail. Date and time TBD.
Finally, should you have any questions please feel free to send me an email. If you are emailing with a concern, please respect the OMHA protocol of waiting 24-hours before emailing and know that if I receive a concern prior to this 24-hr period that I will not respond until the protocol period has expired.
Thank you, and once again good luck to everyone!
Jon Wilson
Head Coach – U13 AA