2013-2014 AA -
Major Atom AA Tryout Schedule
Sat, Apr 20 4:00 PM-5:00 PM Morgan Firestone "A" Pad
Sun, Apr 21 1:00 PM-2:00 PM Morgan Firestone "A" Pad
Wed, Apr 24 6:00 PM-7:00 PM Morgan Firestone "A" Pad
Sat, Apr 27 12:00 PM-1:00 PM Morgan Firestone "A" Pad
Sun, Apr 28 11:00 AM-12:00 PM Morgan Firestone "A" Pad
2013-2014 AE -
Major Atom AE Tryout Schedule
Tue, Apr 30 6:30 PM-7:30 PM Morgan Firestone "B" Pad
Thu, May 02 5:30 PM-6:30 PM Morgan Firestone "B" Pad
Fri, May 03 6:30 PM-7:30 PM Morgan Firestone "B" Pad
Click Read More for the tryout policy details.
Rep Tryout Policies (excerpted from the AMHL Manual of Operations)
Eligibility
There shall be a player tryout fee. The mandatory, and non-refundable, try-out fee is to be paid in full to the Ancaster Minor Hockey League prior to the beginning of the first try-out.Tryouts are open to all registered Ancaster Residents and qualified Non-Resident Players (NRP’s). Player residency and eligibility rules will apply as set forth by the OMHA guidelines, policies, and rules. Proof of residency is required at the first tryout. Acceptable forms of proof of residency are a valid driver’s license, property tax assessment or home residence utility bill. NRP’s are required to provide an OMHA NRP Passport approved by their home centre.
Tryout Process AA
Each AA team will be given five (5) on-ice evaluation sessions. Exhibition games may be scheduled by coaches during the tryout period. In scheduling such games, the total number of on-ice evaluations during the tryout period (ie: tryout skates plus games) cannot exceed six (6). In scheduling exhibition games, coaches must obtain a valid Travel Permit from the Director of Rep Hockey.
Each player attending AA tryouts is guaranteed a minimum of 2 on-ice evaluations after which he may be released at the discretion of the head coach.
Tryout Process AE
All players attending AE tryouts MUST have previously attended the AA tryout for their age group.
Each AE team will be given three (3) on-ice evaluation sessions. Exhibition games may be scheduled by coaches during the tryout period. In scheduling such games, the total number of on-ice evaluations during the tryout period (ie: tryout skates plus games) cannot exceed four (4). In scheduling exhibition games, coaches must obtain a valid Travel Permit from the Director of Rep Hockey.
Each player attending AE tryouts is guaranteed a minimum of 1 on-ice evaluation after which he may be released at the discretion of the head coach.
Attendance at Tryouts
In order to be eligible for selection to the team, a player must attend a minimum of three (3) on-ice evaluations for AA or two (2) on-ice evaluations for AE.
Exceptions may be made for situations such as temporary medical conditions (a Doctor’s note may be requested by the head coach and/or the AMHL). If a player does not attend the minimum number of on-ice evaluations but is awarded a position on the team, the coaching staff must inform all players making the team, and their parents, of this fact immediately upon completion of the tryouts. When such situations arise, the head coach should contact the Director of Rep Hockey and/or the Director of Coach and Player Development prior to making any roster decisions regarding the player.
Conflicts with the Tryouts
The AMHL will make every effort to ensure the AAA Jr. Bulldogs tryouts and the AA tryouts do not conflict. The AMHL takes no responsibility for scheduling conflicts with tryouts in other AAA centres, including the AAA Hamilton Huskies.Players are expected to attend AMHL tryouts during the time they are trying out for the AAA Jr. Bulldogs. It is the player's responsibility to ensure they notify the head coach of their intention not to attend a schedule AA on-ice evaluation.
Independent Evaluators
As part of the tryout process, the head coach must have a minimum of two (2) independent, non-parent evaluators to assist with on-ice evaluations. An independent evaluator is defined as an individual (a non-parent and not related to a player in the tryout process) who has adequate hockey knowledge, experience and expertise. Independent evaluators will work with the head coach in the selection of players who will be offered positions on the team.
In addition, the AMHL will assign two (2) separate evaluators/observers to each team’s tryout to support the player selection process. This will allow for the AMHL to respond to any concerns from parents and/or players as to the impartiality and transparency of the tryout process.
Non-parent assistants who are not related to any player in the tryout process can work in conjunction with the head coach during the tryout process. The head coach is to provide a list of assistants to the Director of Rep Hockey prior to the start of the tryout process.
Communication with Parents
At no time during the tryout process will the head coach, independent evaluators or AMHL evaluators discuss players and their performance with any parent.
Player Releases
Players will be notified of their release via letter that is to be opened after departing the arena.
If a player/parent wishes to discuss their individual evaluation the request to do so must come after 24 hours of their final tryout. The objective of such requests should be to obtain feedback regarding on-ice performance for the purpose of facilitating player improvement.
If it becomes apparent that the purpose of such a request is to challenge the judgements made by the head coach and evaluators during the selection process, the meeting should be immediately terminated and referred to the Director of Rep Hockey and/or the Director of Coach and Player Development for follow up and resolution.
Offers of Positions
Players will be offered positions on the team via a letter that is to be opened after departing the arena.
AMHL player that is offered a position on an AMHL Representative Team is required to sign an OMHA Letter of Commitment within 14 days of the commencement of tryouts. If the Letter of Commitment is not signed, the head coach, at his/her discretion, may release the player from the team and offer the position to another player previously released.
If a player is offered a position with an AA team and refuses that position, the player is released directly to Houseleague and is not eligible to tryout for the AE team at his age level. Players who refuse AA positions remain eligible to tryout with the closest A centre to Ancaster under the OMHA NRP rules. However, if they return to Ancaster, they again are released directly to Houseleague.
Selection of Bench Staff
The Head coach shall select his/her bench staff (assistant coaches, trainer and manager) only after the final roster has been determined
Player Selection for Representative Teams
Player selection is the responsibility of the Head Coach working in conjunction with the Director of Coach and Player Development and/or the Director of Rep Hockey.
The Board is responsible for providing guidelines to the Head Coaches for the selection of players according to pre-determined criteria and using a fair, equitable and unbiased process.
The AMHL reserves the right to combine the Minor and Major age group to form one AE team or continue with only a minor or major AE team. Every division must first enter a Major AA Team per OMHA rules.
The Ancaster Minor hockey League reserves the right to apply exceptions to the tryout rules at their discretion.