2025-2026 U18A Upcoming tryouts, News, U18 A, Rep A (Aurora Minor Hockey)

U18 Hockey is back in Aurora! Hello, my name is John Kalpakis and I am proud to be head coach for the 2025-2026 U18A hockey club. I would like to welcome everyone to our tryouts and thank you for taking the time to attend. I wish every participant the best of luck!

TRYOUT SCHEDULE:

Tryout #1:         Monday May 5^th – ACC #1 – 8:00 pm – 9:30 pm 
Tryout #2:         Wednesday May 7^th – ACC #2 – 6:15 pm – 7:45 pm

Tryout #3:         Friday May 9^th – ACC #2 – 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm


TRYOUT PROCESS:  

1. Players are no longer required to try out for the level above what they played the previous year.
2. All 3 tryouts will be contact/bodychecking.
3. On the day of each tryout, AMHA representatives will be present to help with the tryout registration process. Registration will take place at ACC prior to the tryout. Every player should have registered for a Tryout Passport prior to the first tryout. 

   2025 Evaluations/ Tryout Registration Information (Aurora Minor Hockey)

4. Please arrive at least 30-45 minutes before the tryout begins.
5. When you arrive at the ACC, 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.
6. Please have an extra jersey in your bag with no name on it in the event we run out of assigned practice jerseys.
7. Full protective gear is mandatory, including neck and mouth guards – players without, or missing such equipment, will NOT be allowed on the ice.
8. There will be independent evaluators who will be assisting me with assessing the players. The AMHA will also assign independent evaluators.
9. During and after the tryout, please do NOT approach the evaluators.
10. Communication of my decisions after each tryout will occur via the website and NOT in person at the arena. Your players passport submission ID number is your code that identifies you on the website (Look at U18A for the team and then to the Tryout Player List page).

      
After the 1st tryout, results will be posted after 4:00 pm the next day.       
After the 2nd tryout, results will be posted after 4:00 pm of the next day.     
After the 3rd tryout, results will be posted after 11:00 am the next day.  


IMPORTANT:

 

Returning players should not expect to automatically proceed to the third tryout. All tryouts will be weighted equally and redirects will happen as seen fit. Players will be released accordingly to provide every opportunity should they seek to play for another center. Players who might be redirected from the level above should not expect a spot on the team as well. Evaluations will be conducted based on performance during the tryout process.
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. Let’s all make the tryout process an enjoyable one! (For a good read visit Parents, Remember These 7 Tips During the Tryout Process (omha.net)


TRYOUT EXPECTATIONS:  

The following is a list of what I am looking for during the tryouts:   
Skating · Coachability  · Hockey sense
Puck handling · Shooting · Attentiveness
Attitude  · Battling  · Team play     

WHAT TO EXPECT:

• There will be an extra practice session once per week located at Pickering College Arena
• Practices are fast paced and will focus on compete, improving weaknesses, building hockey IQ and decision making
• A practice plan sent to players before every practice
• The team will hold team building sessions prior to the season
• Possibility of CrossFit training for the players
• We will be attending 3-4 tournaments (One of these will be an overnight)
  • We have already reserved a spot at the Winter Classic Tournament in Oakville

Practice Philosophy

• Create a High - Energy/passion/Compete/Fun practice
• Put players in positions to compete constantly throughout practice
• Challenge the skill level of individuals and team (Failure is growth)
• Put players in positions to make decisions and problem solve on their own
• Allow for creativity and mistakes
• Have practice plan drive identity of the team
• Goalies are hockey players – don’t forget about them
• Practice allotment:
  • 75% dedicated to skills/decision making/small area games
  • 25% dedicated to team structure
• “Win the long game, not the next game”
• Instill a mentality that “The puck is Gold, outwork and over desire”
• Teach good fundamentals and good habits

   

TEAM BUDGET EXPECTATIONS:  

• There will be a financial commitment from each family. The estimated financial commitment will be approximately $3,500 to $4,000
• We will be looking for sponsors and fundraising to help reduce the cost per family.

 

I will be looking to fill the following positions: Assistant coaches, Practice coaches, goalie coach, Team manager, Team trainer and assistant trainer as well as other roles (fundraising, social, 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.

APPAREL FITTING DAY

 

If your child makes the team, they MUST attend the Tigerware fitting on Thursday May 15, 2025 @ Lion Share Marketing, 16610 Bayview Avenue, Unit 8, Newmarket.  

If you have a question for me, then please email me. If you have a concern, then please respect the OMHA protocol of waiting 24 hours to contact the coach. Please contact me via email after this time. If I receive an email before this time, I will respond when the 24 hour wait period has expired.    

THANK YOU and I look forward to seeing you at the rink. 


John Kalpakis
Head Coach U18A
jkalpakis@hotmail.com