HOCKEY 101

1. HOCKEY 101 TEAM SELECTION & ORGANIZATION ADAM HAYDUK, Executive Director Vancouver Thunderbirds MHA execdirector@vancouvertbirds.ca 604.839.6731

2. Introduction • Adam Hayduk • 3rd year as the Vancouver Thunderbirds Executive Director • Previously Asst Hockey Coordinator at the Hollyburn MHA in West Vancouver, BC for 3 years • 12 years coaching experience • Including all levels of minor hockey (initiation, house, rep, and AAA), former Head Coach of Simon Fraser University Men’s team, and current assistant coach with the Delta Ice Hawks Junior B team • 6 years as a coach in the BC Hockey High Performance Program (U16 & U17 levels) • HCOP Level 4 official - 13 years of officiating experience, including 5 years at the Junior and CIS levels • HCOP Course Conductor

3. Vancouver Thunderbirds • 930 registered minor hockey players (ages 5-20) • 220 players on a waiting list • 3 full time paid staff and 1 part time seasonal staff • Executive Director, Director of Hockey Operations, Administrator/Registrar, and Ice Scheduler • 8 board members • (President, Past President, VP Admin, VP Rep, VP House, VP Initiation, Treasurer/Secretary, Coach Coordinator) • VP Rep responsible for all rep teams (Atom to Juvenile) • VP House and VP Initiation direct the Division Managers, which are appointed positions • All other positions are appointed • RIC, Fundraising, Risk Mgmt, Division Managers, Sponsorship, Equip Mgr, Tournament Dir, Ref Assigners, etc

4. Team Selection • Rep Tryouts – most contentious • House Team Selections • Initiation Team Selections

5. Rep Tryouts • VTMHA Rep Tryout Mission Statement • “To challenge, motivate, teach, and inspire every Rep Hockey player to reach their unlimited potential by providing them with a well defined and structured program. To give each and every player the opportunity to be the best they can be by having an organization that is committed to professionalism, integrity, respect, and sportsmanship.”

6. Rep Tryouts - Communication • Before current season ends • Set standard and expectations in March for the coming season via letter or email to parents • Expectation is that players come ready for tryouts and don’t use first sessions to get their skating legs back • Harder and more competitive each season – come prepared! • Provide dates of next season’s rep tryouts • Allows families to schedule hockey camps and vacations

7. Rep Tryouts - Communication • In the summer (late July or early August) • Email all families with specific dates and times when rep tryout sessions are • Post information online • Provide with phone numbers and email addresses of people at the association that are available to field questions about tryouts. • Frustrating for parents when they can’t get a hold of anyone over the summer months

8. Rep Tryouts - Communication • Mid to late August • Meeting with the Head Coaches and non-parent evaluators • Explain to them the tryout process • Provide schedule of ice times • Set expectations • No excessive discussions and conversations with parents at the rink during tryouts • Polite “Hello” or “Sorry but I can’t talk now” is expected

9. Rep Tryouts - Communication • Onsite meeting with each divisions’ parent group on Day 1 of tryouts • Welcome everyone to another season • Outline the rep tryout process • Introduce the evaluating committee • Introduce the coaching staff or each rep team in that division • Outline how tryout selections will be communicated with hard time lines associated with each round of selections • Initial grouping posted online after 3rd tryout session • Final team selections handled by each team’s coaching staff • Discuss expectations of parents during first round of tryouts • All communication or inquiries to be directed to VP Rep • Keep your distance from the evaluators • Let parents know that evaluators aren’t being rude if they don’t enter into long conversations at the rink during tryouts

10. Rep Tryouts - Communication • Outline Player Feedback Process during tryouts • Results from 1st round of tryouts posted online • Parents must observe the 24-hour rule on the day after these announcements • On the second day after these announcements, parents can call the VP Rep and request a “Feedback Exchange” meeting • Such a meeting happens on the 3rd day after the announcement • Meeting will include our Director of Hockey Operations, VP Rep, the player, and one parent to observe the exchange of information • Parents are there only to observe the exchange of information • In 2008/09, only 4 out of 220 players took advantage of a meeting at this stage

11. Rep Tryouts - Communication • Explain the Appeal Procedure • Only applicable if: • The decision under appeal was influenced by bias; • Irregularities in the process leading up to the original decision are such that an unjust result may have resulted; or, • The decision was patently unreasonable. • Taking a pound of flesh from the Director of Hockey Operations or Executive Director will not change the outcome • Questions/Answers • Wish everyone luck

12. Rep Tryouts – THE PROCESS • Modeled after BC Hockey High Performance Program U16/U17 • Endorsed by Hockey Canada • Allows our players to become familiar with the process • One less thing to stress about when the time comes to tryout for U16/U17 • Tryouts conducted by a “Selection Committee” • VTMHA Director of Hockey Operations • Head Coaches of teams in that division • Up to 4 paid non-parent evaluators with hockey backgrounds • In 2008/09, VTMHA used UBC Men’s Varsity Team members • All ratings are reviewed by the Executive Director and VP Rep after each session (and entered into a spreadsheet)

13. Rep Tryouts – THE PROCESS • Two stages • 1st stage run by association and evaluating committee (approximately 7 days) • 2nd stage run by coaching staff • (approximately 14 days) • 1st Stage • 3 sessions per player – must attend all three sessions • Heavily weighted in favor of scrimmages (85/15) • Players are divided into four colour groups • Each ice time is with/against a different colour group to ensure a true tryout

14. Rep Tryouts – THE PROCESS • Colour groups are done alphabetically • First 6 defensemen on one team, next 6 on the other, and so on. Same steps for forwards and goalies until four equal groupings are created • To make it easier on evaluators: • Goalies have numbers on front and back • Defensemen are numbered 2 to 9 • Forwards are numbered 10-99

15. Rep Tryouts – THE PROCESS • At each ice session, every player is given a rating (1-5) by each evaluator: • 5 • An excellent elite-level player • Player executes effectively at position and within role on team • Clearly outperforms counterparts at some position or on opposing teams • This player had a lasting dominant effect throughout the camp • Player can definitely play and impact at this level • 4 • An above-average performance • Good plays and decisions clearly outnumber poor ones • Factors not allowing performance to be a “5” might include: playing time lost to game circumstances, slightly skill deficiency compared to a “5”, and slightly inconsistent in terms of effort, grittiness, lapse in discipline or emotional control as examples. • Player can definitely play at this level with only limitation being in depth at a similar position • 3 • A good performance • Player made his share of mistakes/poor decisions, but they were countered by an equal number of good ones • Factors within the game may have inhibited achieving a satisfactory evaluation on this player • Clearly an average performance requires more observation • Player warrants consideration as a candidate for this level ….continued

16. Rep Tryout – THE PROCESS • …rating definitions continued • 2 • A below average performance • Bad plays/decisions outnumber good ones • Player may have lacked effort and hustle • Made errors costly to the team • Attitude, behavior and performance questionable • Physical and mental components were deficient and below average • This player shows some potential but has definite limitations, which would not allow them to play at this level • 1 • Unacceptable performance • Well below acceptable standards. Not approaching level of competition • Required or expected • Significant, blatant deficiencies in all areas • Player does not show signs of any potential to play at this level.

17. Rep Tryouts – THE PROCESS • After each session, the ratings are entered into a spreadsheet and averages are created for each player. Any irregularities are discussed immediately after the ice time and usually doesn’t affect the final placement.

18. Rep Tryouts – THE PROCESS • Separate goalie-only evaluation session is also used with an independent goalie evaluator • Be aware not to hire one of the mainstream goalie consulting companies as their “clients” may be trying out • Director of Hockey Operations and head coaches are given some freedom to determine the size of their teams • Based on: • Number of players trying out • Skill depth at tryouts • Where will players have the best chance of succeeding

19. Rep Tryouts – THE PROCESS • After 1st round of tryouts, teams keep the following number of players for the last stage of tryouts: • A1: roster size + 5 skaters, 3 goalies • A2: roster size, 2 goalies • A3: roster size, 2 goalies • The rest of the players are released to “C” evaluations • Next and final round of player selections are determined by the Head Coaches of each team • Director of Hockey Operations is in close contact with coaches to monitor selections and provide support if needed • Each team has enough time and players for practices and exhibition games • Coaches are trusted and given the freedom to make the final decisions to shape the type of team they want • Each HC at each level needs to release 5 skaters and 1 goalie. Players released are automatically placed on the team below

20. Rep Tryouts – THE PROCESS • Benefits • Well-perceived by parents – perception of a fair process not influenced by just one individual • Limits the number of times that a player is released in the tryout process • Involves the Head Coaches and still gives them the ability to have input as to the “style” of team they want • Many people involved in the process to insure players are initially placed where they should be • Allows the association to take full ownership and control over the entire process • Extremely efficient – 22 days from start to finish • Allows more time for teams to begin skating as a team and prepare for the coming season

21. Rep Tryouts – THE PROCESS • …Benefits continued • Saves time along the way • Utilizes ice in a very efficient way • Allows players to become familiar with this tryout structure • One less thing to stress out about when trying out for U16 • Don’t need to start before Labour Day • Allows for family vacation or extra hockey camps

22. Rep Tryouts – THE PROCESS • Things to be aware of during tryouts • Don’t be so quick to hire an “external consultant” to handle the tryouts • Consultants typically also have skill development camps and hockey schools – their “clients” may be trying out • Charge association $75-$100 per evaluator per hour, but only pay the evaluator $20-$40 • KEEP THAT MONEY IN THE ASSOCIATION • Consultants won’t take the care and ownership of the process like the association will • Can lead to complaints and a rushed process: lack of attention to detail • No such thing as too much communication to parents about tryouts

23. Rep Tryouts – The Process • …Things to be aware of during tryouts continued • Have enough people to help with set-up of tryouts (sign in, getting jerseys ready, creating evaluation sheets, etc) • Go into the community to find evaluators • Former junior, college, or pro players that live in the community • Check with the local sports stores for such leads • Potential source of future non-parent coaches • Too much ice is wasted as a result of inefficient tryout processes • A longer tryout process doesn’t make it better • Important to follow the process as outlined in the Policies and Procedures • Avoids appeals and unhappy parents • Try to answer every possible objection or question a parent may have before tryouts • Email communications, website postings, parents’ meeting

24. House Team Selections • Division Managers begin the search of head coaches in July and August • All teams are staffed before player evaluations • Communicate player evaluation dates and times in August via email and website posting • House player evaluations start immediately after the 1st stage of Rep Tryouts ends • That way players released from rep tryouts take part in the evaluation skates • Won’t put stress on the number of available volunteers within the association • Within a 2-3 day period, two evaluation skates are given each player in each division • Head coaches and one or two independent evaluators rate each player using the 1-5 method

25. House Team Selections • Everyone’s ratings are shared with all Head Coaches • The Division Manager with the support of the VP of House hold a player draft • Once teams are drafted, “balancing” games commence to make sure all “C” teams within association are somewhat close in skill level • Coaches try to manipulate the balancing process to make their teams appear weaker then they are. Ways around that include: • Not allowing coaches to run their own benches during balancing games • Rolling lines or timed shifts • Making sure all players are present • Judging to see if the top players are “holding back” • The 5 skaters and 1 goalie in rep tryouts cannot be drafted • DM’s place these players on the teams they deem to be less skilled during the balancing game process • Limits the number of players that need to be moved to create balanced teams after the “C” draft

26. Initiation Team Selections • Three part process • Part 1 – Spring Assessments • Part 2 – Summer Planning & Communication • Part 3 – Fall Assessments

27. Initiation Team Selections • Part 1 – Spring Assessments • At the end of the season in March, each Head Coach ranks their players • A group of Head Coaches get together to create one Master List of players for the entire division in March

28. Initiation Team Selections • Part 2 – Summer Planning & Communication • VP of Initiation beings to place/find head coaches and assistant coaches for each team • Use “Call For Volunteers” list as a tool • An example of some of the information we gather from families during the minor hockey registration process • Schedules are created for the initiation assessments and for the regular season – communicated via email and website • Try not to conflict with local soccer association schedules • End of August skate – extra ice, not mandatory • September player assessments • Regular season game and practice times • 3.5 hours each week of extra power skating and skill development sessions • For all players • 40-50 kids on the ice at a time • Run by our Director of Hockey Operations and teams’ coaches

29. Initiation Team Selections • Part 3 – Fall Assessments • All players are required to participate • The spring assessment master ranking list is affirmed or adjusted where necessary • The Division Managers take the updated lists and create “scrimmage groups” for further assessments • Teams participate in “balancing games” to make sure teams are close in skill level • Balancing changes (at the discretion of the Division Managers) are made if necessary • Head Coaches are consulted throughout • Teams are then finalized

30. Initiation Team Selections • Initiation hockey is about “FUNdamentals” • Teaching the fundamentals of the game • Keeping hockey fun for all the kids • Allow them to play with friends

31. Sample start-of-season schedule (tryouts & evaluations) By the 23rd or 24th, all rep teams would have made their final player selections. Those players released to “C” can then be place on “C” teams, based on how the balancing games have been going.

32. Conclusion • Take ownership of the tryout process • Communicate as much as possible with parents about tryouts and team selections • Give as much notice as possible • Emails, online, parent meetings, summer newsletters, etc. • Make tryouts and team selections as efficient as possible • Leaves more ice time for teams to get going • QUESTIONS? • THANK YOU!