2021-22 Rep Player Selection Process
All Thunderbird players in the U11, U13, U15 and U18 divisions have the opportunity to try out for a rep team. All players that were registered for the tryouts will be included in the process.
The full process by division is outlined below, however there are a handful of key messages we want to ensure all participating players are aware of:
- The tryout process will adhere to the requirements laid out in Policy 9 - Rep Selection Process.
- Players MUST attend all tryout sessions they are assigned to attend.
- We do understand there are some exceptional circumstances that arise and may be accommodated with permission. However all steps in Policy 9 Section 2 must be followed.
- U15 or U18 players who are still part of tryout camps for other programs are required to be in regular communication with TBirds throughout the process to ensure they do not forfeit their place with our program.
- Players are evaluated solely on their performance during the tryout sessions.
- The evaluation team is comprised of non-parent coaches and external evaluators. Parent coaches will be asked to support during games and on-ice practices but are not involved with providing evaluations. Parent coaches will not be assigned to any roster until after players are assigned to teams.
- It is our goal to ensure that every player, no matter where they start in the process, has an opportunity to make the A1 team. No player is guaranteed a spot on a rep team based on their performance on any one day. The assessment process involves player movement upward, lateral (staying in same group), and downward options at each stage. This movement is based on the player's performance during each session.
The Process:
Hockey Canada outlines the following objectives of any player evaluation process:
♦ To provide a fair and impartial assessment of a player's total hockey skills during the skating and scrimmage sessions.
♦ To ensure that players have a reasonable opportunity of being selected to a team appropriate to their skill levels as determined during the on-ice evaluations of the current year.
♦ To provide coaches with the opportunity and flexibility to build a team based in part on their own coaching philosophy and knowledge of player skills and attitude.
♦ To provide uniformity and consistency in the evaluation process such that a player and parent expectations are consistent from year to year as players move through the various levels of the association's programs.
♦ To provide feedback in order to develop players.
Following the new Hockey Canada U11 Pathway, assessments for any U11 player cannot begin until after the first week of school in order to give players the opportunity to be on the ice prior to evaluations. TBirds has the following opportunities for players to be on the ice prior to the start of the tryouts:
- TBirds Summer camps specifically for U11 players:
- August 16-20: Positioning and Scrimmage Camp and Power Skating with Karen Kos
- participants can register in each one individually or in both back to back sessions to mimic the August 30 rep prep camp
- August 23-27: Scrimmage with Defensive Skills focus with former NHL Defenceman Rick Lanz
- all players will rotate between forward and defence during tryouts and will be evaluated overall
- August 30-September 2: Rep Prep camp
- August 16-20: Positioning and Scrimmage Camp and Power Skating with Karen Kos
- Open skates between September 7-10 will be available to register for starting later in August. A goalie training session will occur on Tuesday late afternoon with ProFormance Goalie School. Registration will be required with no additional charge.
Process
Phase 1: Internal Sessions
Dates: September 11 & 12
# Sessions per skater: 3
# Sessions per goalie: 4
In this phase, each player will participate in a skills session and two scrimmages. Goalies will also participate in a goalie evaluation session.
- Stage #1: Skills session - Saturday morning
- Players will be assigned to the initial skills session alphabetically on Saturday morning.
- Evaluation team will assign players to three groups.
- Stage #2: Goalie evaluation and Scrimmage - Saturday afternoon
- Evaluation team will identify players to move between groups for next stage.
- Stage #3: Scrimmage - Sunday afternoon
Players will be assigned to four practice rosters and initial assignments to the recreational division may occur. While numbers may be adjusted to best assess the players moving forward to Phase 2, the anticipated number of players per roster will be as follows:
-
- A1 - 18 skaters, 3 goalies
- A2 - 15 skaters, 2 goalies
- A3 - 15 skaters, 2 goalies
- A4 - 15 skaters, 2 goalies
Each practice roster will participate in one weekday morning practice during the following week. Goalies will have a training session with ProFormance Goalie School on Wednesday evening.
Phase 2: Exhibition Game Series Round #1
Dates: September 17-19
# Games: Target 2
- TBirds are in communication with other MHAs regarding exhibition games. The goal is to set up 2 exhibition games over the Friday to Sunday period for each of the four U11 teams.
- Movement may occur between practice rosters following either of the exhibition games.
Each practice roster will participate in two weekday morning practices during the following week. Goalies that register for the Thunderbird Goalie School will begin the series on Wednesday evening.
Phase 3: Exhibition Game Series Round #2
Dates: September 24-26
# Games: Target 2
- TBirds are in communication with other MHAs regarding exhibition games. The goal is to set up 2 exhibition games over the Friday to Sunday period for each of the four U11 teams.
- There will not be moves between practice rosters during this weekend.
Following the last exhibition game, season rosters will be finalized whereby, assuming practice roster numbers are assigned as per above, 3 skaters and one goalie will be released from each team and assigned to a lower tier team or the recreational division. All final placements will be emailed to the participants.
Schedule information is available on the Participant Information Page.