U16 AA, Rep AA (Aurora Minor Hockey)

Dear Parents/Players:

Hello, my name is Andrew Kerr and I am the head coach for the 2025/2026 U16 AA hockey team. I am excited about the upcoming season and having Graham Hovius join me on the bench as Assistant Coach. I would like to welcome everyone to the evaluations and thank you for taking the time to attend. I wish everyone a successful tryout and the best of luck! 

TRYOUT SCHEDULE: 
Tryout #1 = Monday April 28th – ACC #2 (McAlpine Lincoln) – 7:30pm – 9pm 
Tryout #2 = Wednesday April 30th – ACC #2 (McAlpine Lincoln) – 6:15pm – 7:45pm 
Tryout #3 = Thursday May 1st – ACC #2 (McAlpine Lincoln) – 8:15pm – Exhibition Game

TRYOUT PROCESS:

1. You must register for the U16AA tryout at least 24-hours before evaluations begin on the AMHA website.  Full details on Tryout Registration HERE. Please email [email protected] if you have any difficulty.
2. Your child’s passport number will be the last 5-digits of your passport invoice.
3. Please arrive at least 45 minutes before the tryout begins.  
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.
5. Full protective gear is mandatory, including neck and mouth guards.
6. An impartial evaluation will be conducted by a team of independent evaluators with experience coaching and playing hockey at a high level (no association to U16AA). I will be using the full panel of evaluators to make decisions about which players will make the team. I am also bringing in goalie experts to conduct evaluations of the goalies.  The AMHA will also assign a team of independent evaluators.
7. During and after the tryout, please do NOT approach the evaluators, as they have a job to do.
8. Communication of my decisions after each tryout will occur via the U16AA website’s ‘Tryout Player List’. Your child’s passport submission ID number is the code that identifies them on the website.

-          After the 1^st tryout, results will be posted by 11:59 pm on April 28^th 

-          After the 2^nd tryout, results will be posted by 11:59 pm April 30^th 

-          After the 3^rd tryout, results will be posted by 6 pm on May 2^nd 

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. It is also important for parents to help manage their child’s expectations during this process. A roster position on this team should never be assumed. The process is designed to fairly pick the top 15 players and 2 goalies based on objective criteria. 

TRYOUT EXPECTATIONS (Criteria) 

This tryout will be full contact. The following is a list of what I am looking for during tryouts and throughout the season: 

-Skating

-Coachability

-Hockey sense & play intensity

-Puck handling/Shooting/Passing

-Angling/contact

-Positive attitude

-Team play

TEAM EXPECTATIONS:

-There will be a financial commitment from each family. The estimated financial commitment will be approximately $3,500 - $4,000.  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.  

-We will be attending approx. 3 to 4 tournaments (2 local and potentially 2 out of town)

I will be looking for the following parent positions:

2 assistant coaches       

1 practice coach       

Team Manager

Team trainer (I would prefer more than 1 as a backup)

Treasurer ( A financial background and knowledge of spreadsheets is preferred)

Charitable lead/Fundraising

Other roles (on-ice helpers during practices, photography/videography, etc.)

-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.

-If your child makes the team, a mandatory Tigerware fitting will take place on May 8th at 6 p.m. at Lion’s Share, 16610 Bayview Ave, Newmarket, ON L3X 1X3

If you have a question for me, then please email me. If you have a concern, please respect the OMHA protocol of waiting 24 hours and contact me via email after this time lapse. 

Thank you and I look forward to seeing you at the rink.

Andrew Kerr

Head Coach – U16 AA

Email: [email protected]