2016-2017 Squirt
Tryouts
Who Is Ready for some
Hockey?
Welcome to the 2016-2017 Squirt Tryouts. Tryouts can be an uncertain and anxious
time for you as players and families.
You can eliminate some of that by simply knowing what to expect and being as
ready as you will ever be.
Therefore, this document can be your guide. We’ll highlight some changes this
year, along with key dates to be at the rink.
You will find information on what to do before the tryout sessions, what the
association is looking for during tryouts and what to expect once they are
complete.
Beyond that, remember to have fun. That is probably the only way to guarantee
you will put your best skate forward this fall.
What to do:
 Before Tryouts
Pre-Tryout Clinics
Tryout Schedule
Tryout Process
 During Tryouts
Tryout Evaluations
Team Selection
Team Structures
 After Tryouts
Team Communication
Before Tryouts
• Pre-Tryout Clinics
– OMGHA offers a pre-tryout clinic to all OMGHA skaters and
goalies to help them prepare for tryouts and the upcoming
season.
– Drills similar to those used during tryouts will be reviewed and
practiced on the final 2 days.
– You must register with OMGHA and USA hockey to participate in
the pre-tryout clinics
– Attendance to the pre-tryout clinics is optional and your
participation is not used in your evaluation in any way.
– The Pre-Tryout Schedule can be found on OMGHA.COM using
the following link:
http://www.omgha.com/page/show/51166-omgha-squirt-tryout-info
Squirt Tryout Schedule
• See Website for Tryout Schedule and
group assignments
Tryout Process
Tryouts start with a pre-skate for skaters and goalies. In these pre-skates, the
tryout drills will be reviewed and practiced with the players.
After pre-skates, you will be randomly assigned to initial skill sessions on day 1
and scrimmages on day 2.
Throughout Tryouts, each days player scores will have equal weighting.
The results from day 1 and day 2 will be used to group players for day 3. After day
3, you may move up or down between groups heading into day 4.
If after day 4, you rank in the top group of players, you will be invited to participate
in the extended tryout.
Session assignments will be posted to the OMGHA website the night before each
tryout day.
It is your responsibility to monitor the website and understand which session you
must attend.
The final day of tryouts will not include every player. You will be notified in
advance if you need to participate in this final day.
Tryout Process
Practices/Skill Sessions: Tryouts will include Practice/Skill evaluation sessions.
Your overall skill proficiency will be evaluated in a set of drills to focus on specific
skills and tactics. Practice plans and specific drills will be posted to the tryout
page in advance of practice sessions.
Scrimmages: Tryouts will include internal refereed scrimmage sessions that are
either 3x3, 4x4 or 5x5.
External Scrimmages: Scrimmages vs an outside associations utilizing D3
referees may be scheduled as part of the Extended A Tryout Process in order to
help make final player selection.
Tryout Process
During each tryout session, a panel of 4 independent evaluators will score you on
a preset scale, following a common scoring structure.
Evaluators are chosen for their hockey knowledge, do not have a player
participating within 2 years of this level and are trained on the process to
consistently evaluate the participants.
Evaluators look for complete hockey players with strengths balanced across:
Skills, Hockey Sense, and positive contribution to team play.
Scores from each evaluator are recorded, averaged and used for subsequent tier
assignment and final team selection.
You are also evaluated for negative team contributions to play as well.
Inappropriate conduct, penalties, poor effort, use of foul language on or off the ice,
and play intended to injure will result in a decrease in scoring.
Keep in mind that scores from each session are added together to create a final
score for final team selection. In addition, each player has the opportunity to move
up or down based on each night’s performance. Therefore – each and every
session matters.
Tryout Process
The flow chart below visually lays out the Squirt Tryout Process
Tryout Policy
If you are too sick or injured to participate in tryouts, your parent is responsible for
contacting the Level Director BEFORE tryouts begin. See OMGHA handbook for
Injury and Sickness policy
A jersey with your tryout number will be provided to you when checking in for the
first tryout. You will reference this number throughout tryouts to determine your
players group assignment each night. THE TRYOUT JERSEY MUST BE TURNED
IN ON THE LAST DAY OF TRYOUTS
You should arrive 30-45 minutes prior to your first tryout session and must be
ready to get on the ice 15 minutes prior to start time.
Please remove all helmet decals All skaters must wear OMGHA colors for all days
of tryouts.
Team Selection
After all tryouts have been completed and evaluators scores finalized, team
selection will occur.
Based on preliminary numbers, OMGHA will have 11 teams in the 2016-2017
season:
2 A teams (Upper and Lower)
3 B1 (balanced)
3 B2 (balanced)
3 C (balanced)
Tryout Scores will be used to make the B1, B2 and C teams balanced
Team selections will be made in accordance with OMGHA tryout policy and are
final.
After team selections are complete, you will be able to check the OMGHA website
to find your team assignment for the season.
You will also be contacted by coaches and/or managers providing information
regarding team assignment and date of first practice or team meeting.
Try-out Stress
OMGHA recognizes that tryouts can be a stressful time for both players and parents. Here are some
helpful guidelines as you and your player prepare for tryouts.
•
Ask questions if you are unsure (i.e., tryout drills, tryout process, team formation, coach selection,
etc.)
•
OMGHA follows the Positive Coach Alliance (PCA) program and strives to put our players in a
safe, encouraging environment, so that they can be successful at any level of play.
•
PCA encourages parents to be “Second Goal” parents who concentrate on his/her child’s
character development while letting athletes and coaches focus on the first goal of winning on the
scoreboard.
•
Encourage each player to do the best they can and know that hockey is meant to be fun while
learning valuable life lessons of hard work, team play, and sportsmanship.
•
Upon team placement be sure to praise your player for their effort and if your player is
disappointed try not to place blame but rather use this as a learning opportunity for character
development. A parents actions and words will have the biggest impact on how a child will react
to adversity.
•
It is ok for parents and players to feel excited or upset about the tryout results but remember to
keep everything in perspective. We are all here to support each other and enjoy the great game
of hockey.
Questions/Concerns
Questions or concerns and the tryout process must go through a member of our
travel committee (Level Directors or VP of traveling). Do not bring those questions
or concerns to travel coaches or evaluators.
The OMGHA Parent Code of Conduct applies to all tryout situations
Thank you for participating in OMGHA and
playing the great game of hockey. Our goal
is to provide a great experience for all
OMGHA players.
Good luck in your upcoming season!