EVALUATIONS & COMPETITIVE TRYOUTS

We encourage everyone to become familiar with the information below, as we hope it will answer most of your questions. This can be a stressful time for players and families, so please do your part in making this as positive an experience as possible for everyone involved.

NSDMH is an association that offers various levels of competitive hockey, as well as recreational teams; therefore, it is imperative you prepare for all possible outcomes.

Building unrealistic expectations prior to the process can have negative effects and spoil what could be a positive year for your player.

All players U11 and up are required to participate in player evaluations at the beginning of the season. These evaluations are a tool used for group selection, recreation team selection and competitive tryout invitation if required.

EXPECTATIONS FOR COMPETITIVE HOCKEY

We understand that many players are involved in other sports or activities, and we would like to encourage that whenever we can. However, hockey is a team sport and coaches and teammates expect that all parents and players will be committed to their NSDMH team. Our coaches will strive to deliver a fair play program that provides an opportunity for all players to develop. For this to happen, we expect players to attend all practices and team sanctioned events. Of course, there will be situations that will lead to missed practices or events. Please understand that players who regularly miss practices will also miss out on development opportunities, which could lead to reduced playing time during games.

In addition, the following are possible, and often expected at the competitive level so players/parents should be prepared to be involved/participate in:

·       Early morning practices (weekday and/or weekends)

·       Possibility of up to 4 tournaments (max of 2 outside the CBRM) and associated costs that go with them such as registration, hotel, gas, meals

·       2 games and 1-2 practices per week with the possibility of more as ice time and league schedule permits

If you and/or your child are not able to commit to the expectations of competitive hockey, you may wish to explore NSDMH Recreational hockey.

OVERVIEW OF EVALUATIONS & COMPETITIVE TRYOUT PROCESS

The evaluation process will be run by NSDMH’s Evaluation Coordinator. Evaluators will be chosen by the Coordinator and NSDMH’s Tryout Coordinator will act in an advisory role. NSDMH will ensure a non-biased evaluation process for all divisions. Notification of any adjustments to the groupings will be posted after each session. No adjustments will take place to groupings once the group has stepped on the ice. Adjustments can be made right up until a player participates with that group’s session.

It is the players/parent’s responsibility to check the NSDMH website and/or Team Snap for their next scheduled session, as new lists may be posted following each session. All information will be posted to the website and/or Team Snap. We will attempt to provide all players at least 24 hours advance notice of their next ice session; however, this may not always be possible.

Parent Head Coaches will not be appointed until their child has secured a spot on a specific team. This can be determined by evaluations, returning player, or based on the level the player participated in the previous season.

It is NSDMH’s goal to provide our players with more time on the ice in appropriate sized groupings, allowing more opportunities to accurately assess each players capabilities and strengths.

The NSDMH tryout process will run through 2, possibly 3 phases, depending on the division.

Evaluations will be conducted by independent evaluators and NSDMH will make every attempt possible to keep 3 consistent evaluators for each group. In situations where an evaluator is not able to make a session, the Evaluation Coordinator will appoint a non-biased member to fill in for that session.

All goalie evaluations will have 2 independent evaluators.

If you begin the competitive tryout process and wish to discontinue during the process, please contact the NSDMH office immediately.

PHASE 1 (EVALUATIONS)

Phase 1 will be the evaluation phase that all players U11 and above will participate in. This phase is for progress tracking and grouping purposes only; scores from this phase will not be carried over for the remaining 2 phases of competitive tryouts. Phase 1 will consist of 1 drills session and 1 intrasquad game. Groupings for this phase will be randomly created with a mix of all skill levels. After this phase, depending on division sizes, it is possible that competitive tryout invitations (AA/A/B) will be issued.

PHASE 2 (COMPETITIVE TRYOUTS)

This phase is the beginning of competitive tryouts. During this phase groups will be participating in drills and games. This phase will include 3 ice times. They will include 1 drills practice and 2 intrasquad games. Upon completion of this phase, the evaluations will be reviewed, and player reassignment or team selection will occur.

Phase 3 (U15/U18 Only)

Phase 3 will require approval from the Tryout Coordinator. It may consist of a 1-1.5 hour intrasquad game or an exhibition game(s) vs teams from neighboring associations. The timing of these ice times will be reviewed in the approval process to allow for completion of this phase in a timely manner. Evaluations from phase 2 will be carried over. Upon completion of this phase, the evaluations will once again be reviewed, and final player selection will occur.

Please note, team selection occurs from the highest level first (AA à A à B, etc) Players reassigned to a lower level will participate in the tryout process for that level. Exceptions can be made based on when the player was reassigned (ex: last player reassigned from AA may not be required to participate in full tryout process for lower level). This will be decided on a case by case basis.

Please note: No in person meetings will be held with anyone during the tryout process and e-mails will only be accepted after 24 hours have passed from the time of the placement posting. (As per Hockey Nova Scotia 24 hour Rule)

Should you initiate contact regarding placement of your child within the 24 hour period, your inquiry will not be heard. If you make an inquiry after the 24 hour period and if the NSDMH Evaluation and Tryout Coordinators feels the matter requires further review, they will then consult with the persons involved and in extreme cases may refer the matter to the NSDMH Board of Directors for final decision.

Harassing or threatening communication will not be tolerated. They will be reported to the NSDMH Disciplinary Committee and action will be taken immediately. Long hours have been dedicated by volunteers to provide a fair process and to choose the NSDMH teams. While we understand not everyone agrees with every decision, the organization is committed to this process and believe it places athletes in the best position for an enjoyable season.

EVALUATION PROCESS GUIDELINES FOR ALL DIVISIONS

• The process is designed to evaluate the fundamental skill set of a player and give each player an opportunity to display these skills in game competition.

• Evaluators are not given players’ names; are encouraged not to share opinions; and are not provided with the other evaluators’ scores.

• Major discrepancies between evaluators are rare; however, if this occurs, it will be investigated and, if needed, a player’s history may be used and/or feedback from the Evaluation Coordinator will be taken into account.

• As per Hockey Nova Scotia regulations, players may participate in congruent tryouts at U13 level and up. Should a player be selected to a team withing their home association, they must accept that roster placement and are not eligible to play for the same level in another association.

• Players need approval from HNS Regional Director to attend tryouts for another association

• Players must attend a minimum 60% of sessions to be considered for a competitive team. It is advised to attend all sessions to receive a fair and accurate evaluation. Exceptions can be made for uncontrollable situations that can arise.

INJURED PLAYERS

Inevitably, and unfortunately, some players become injured or ill during the process and/or sometimes before tryouts begin. This can result in a very difficult situation for everyone involved (injured players, parents, players the child is competing with, evaluators and Board of Directors). When this happens, we attempt to place the player at the appropriate level based on a number of qualitative factors, such as:

• Where did the player play last season?

• How did they develop during that year?

• How was the injured player’s performance at the end of the previous season

relative to the other players on their team?

• Discussion with prior coaches for other qualitative factors.

Because this is a competitive process, this often leads to disappointment on the part of the injured player if they thought their development was greater; or disappointment on the part of another player who placed on a lower level than that of the injured player. It is very difficult to place an injured player to a higher level when they are unable to display the skills against other players at that level; however, this can occur.

Injured players must be able to return to play by Dec 1 to be placed on a competitive team. This means a player with an injury must provide a note from a physician that includes the expected date of return to play.

If you have any questions prior to tryouts, please contact the NSDMH via e-mail nsminorhockey@bellaliant.com. Once the tryouts begin, please follow the process as outlined above.