I am
excited to welcome all players and families to the Aurora Minor Hockey
Association (AMHA) U14 BB Aurora Tigers Tryouts for the 2025-2026 season.
This is an exciting opportunity for athletes to showcase their skills, compete
at a high level, and become part of a competitive and development-focused team.
Tryout Schedule:
Tryout # 1
Saturday May 10th , 1:15 PM to 2:25 PM Aurora Community Centre
ACC 2 – McAlpine Lincoln
Tryout # 2
Monday May 12thth , 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM Aurora Community Centre
ACC 1 – McAlpine Lincoln
Tryout # 3
Wednesday May 14thth , 8:00 PM to 9:30 PM Aurora Community Centre ACC 1 – McAlpine Lincoln
Meet Your Head Coach – Dan Orrett
Coach BIO: Coach Dan brings a wealth of experience and passion for the game. With a strong background in coaching minor hockey, Dan has dedicated years to developing young athletes, fostering teamwork, and instilling strong hockey fundamentals. His coaching philosophy emphasizes skill development, hockey IQ, and work ethic, ensuring each player maximizes their potential. Coach Dan recently received the AMHA Frank Jones HL Coach of the year award for the 2024-25 season.
TRYOUT PROCESS:
1. On the day of the 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. Details can be found at: https://auroraminorhockey.com/Pages/29237/2025_Evaluations_Tryout_Registration_Information/
Please arrive at least 45 - 60 minutes before the tryout begins.
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.
Full protective gear is mandatory, including neck and mouth guards – players without, or missing such equipment, will NOT be allowed on the ice.
There will be a team of independent evaluators who will be assisting me with assessing the players. The AMHA will also assign independent evaluators.
During and after the tryout, please do NOT approach the evaluators, as they have a job to do.
Communication of my decisions after each tryout will occur via the website and NOT in person at the arena. Your child’s passport submission ID number is your code that identifies you on the website (Look at U14 BB for the team and then to the Tryout Player List page).
· After the 1st tryout, results will be posted NO LATER than 10:00 pm the SAME day.
· After the 2nd tryout, results will be posted NO LATER than 10:30 pm the SAME day.
· After the 3rd tryout, results will be posted AFTER 10:00 pm (but no later than 11:00pm) the SAME day.
There is a mandatory team fitting for apparel, jerseys, etc, after the tryouts:
MAY 21, 2025 – 6:00 pm at Lion's Share Hockey - 16610 Bayview Ave., Unit 8 Newmarket
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!
TRYOUT EXPECTATIONS:
Players will be assessed on the following key areas during tryouts:
🏒 Skating – Speed, agility, edge work, and balance
🏒 Puck Handling – Control, dekes, and confidence with the puck
🏒 Passing & Shooting – Accuracy, strength, and decision-making
🏒 Hockey Sense – Positioning, awareness, and game strategy
🏒 Work Ethic & Attitude – Effort, coach-ability, and teamwork
I encourage all players to give their best effort, have fun, and showcase their skills! We look forward to an exciting tryout process and wish everyone the best of luck.
TEAM EXPECTATIONS:
There will be a financial commitment from each family. The estimated financial commitment will be approximately $3,500 - $4,000 (this does not include the Registration Fee OR the Tryout Passport Fee (which are both required to attend the tryouts), or accommodation fees for our one away tournament (see below)).
· We will be looking for sponsors 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 3-4 tournaments:
o One Early-Bird tournament in the GTA
o One in-season GTA-based tournament
o One away tournament (location TBD)
o One Season-End tournament in the GTA
Our season extends all the way to the middle of April, 2026. Please make your vacation plans accordingly.
I will be looking for some or all of the following parent positions:
o 2-3 Assistant coaches
o Team manager
o Team trainer
o Backup trainer
o Safety Ambassador
o Other roles (stat keepers, videographer, photographer)
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 you have a question for me, then please email me at [email protected]. If you have any concerns, 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.
See you at the rink!
Dan Orrett
Head Coach AMHA U14 BB Aurora Tigers 2025-26 Season