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Fall Tryouts

2023-2024 Tryouts

 Fall 2023-2024 Tryouts

All tryouts are closed to families

All dates/Times subject to change

 


Tryout Factors Other than Talent

There are several factors that coaches consider when making team decisions other than talent.  The talent aspect is obvious -talented players are what coaches look for on the ice when it comes to performance, but there are other aspects coaches use to make their final decisions.   Here is a list of a few:

1. Skill The primary skill coaches look at is skating. If you can excel at starting and stopping, turning and crossovers well, the rest of the game comes easier. Good skaters will consistently win races to pucks, win battles in the corner and put themselves in the better positions. There isn’t a single hockey skill more important than skating. Puck control, passing and receiving, shooting as well as offensive and defensive tactics are the fundamentals of the game that all coaches will evaluate when selecting players for their team.

2. Coachability -  can the  player  take  direction, or does the player think he/she “knows it all?”  This is arguably the most important quality of a player - even above talent.

3. Work Ethic/ Attitude - is the player inherently lazy, or do they give you full effort every time they're on the ice? Lazy players make coaching more difficult and decreases the efficiency of  the coach - he/she will  need  to  focus  more  on  getting  an  honest  effort, rather than teaching. Just Because you were successful in making a team last year doesn't guarantee your spot for the upcoming season. Nothing is secured and you need to prove yourself all over again. Simple going through the motions won't be enough. Show why you'll be a good teammate.

4. Accountability - does the player have a good track record to showing up to all the practices, games, and team functions...or is there always a reason they can't make it? When players miss practices, coaches are forced to revisit old topics instead of being able to build off them.

5. Club History - has the player been in the association for an extended period of time, or are they known for jumping  from club  to club  every season? Coaches concerned about player development want players who will likely be with them for multiple years.

6. Team Fit does  the  player's  style   of  play  fit  in  with  what  the  team  needs?  Teams don't need  20  players  who have amazing hands but  will  never  go  into  a corner  or  finish  a check. Good teams have players that fit  different  roles  within the  team. This is  often where players  with  more  talent  can  be  passed  by  in favor  of a player  who possesses the skills needed to round out a team.

7. Other Coaches Recommendations - hockey is a small world. Coaches often look to previous coaches for advice. If a player was nothing but a pain for another coach, there's a good chance the next coach down the road will know about it as well.

8. Parents - believe it or not, this can factor in to decisions.   Are the player's parents known for being a bit "crazy"? Did they openly bash the club,   team, or coaching staff when things were not going well? Coaches are humans - like it or not, most coaches will take a player with a bit less talent, but a family who is supportive over a player with more talent, but has crazy parents.

Leadership Qualities Coaches Look For

All coaches look to their team leaders for the same 6 essential qualities that can mean the difference between a good season and a bad season.  While it is believed that some people are born leaders, leadership can be developed through practice and conscious effort.

Parents spend countless hours and thousands of dollars developing the physical skill of their children to excel in their chosen sport. Coaches know that physical skill is only one essential quality in selecting key playersIt's the intangible, sometimes immeasurable qualities that make a player invaluable to an organization.  Parents, players and coaches who work to develop these  6 essential qualities will see their efforts pay off.

  1. Responsibility:    Leaders assume the responsibility of representing the coaching staff. During a game, players are often out of the earshot of the coaching staff.  The team's leaders never lose control of the communication that occurs on the ice, especially between face offs. They take charge, remain positive, encouraging, aggressive and decisive.  Leaders make good decisions on and off the ice.  They dissuade teammates from engaging in unsportsmanlike activities. They associate with other "good kids" and resist common temptations that others cannot.
  2. Morale:  Leaders have insatiable morale. This doesn't mean just leading the team chant or keeping a smile on your face when the team is down by 10. Morale can be heard in the voice of a player who is determined not to give up.  Morale is a tall, confident posture with actions to match. Morale is a "must win", cheerful, vigorous and passionate attitude that a player brings to every practice and every game.
  3. Work Ethic:   It's not uncommon for a coach to be criticized for "playing favorites.” The truth of the matter is hard work and the right attitude will gain players the opportunity to prove themselves that players of the same skill and lesser determination will never see.  Team leaders should possess an amazing work ethic.  The actions and behaviors of the team’s leaders are contagious.  A team leader who is complacent with his skill level is a malignancy. Leaders are the first to practice and last to leave.  They seek assistance from the coaching staff on a regular basis.  They ask what they can do to improve their ability. They are visible during the off-season.  Leaders give it their all.  They push themselves and others to do more.
  4. Skill: Skill is an undeniable trait of a leader. However, skill is broader than the general notion of physical talent. Leaders possess both physical talent and the mental edge for the game. An excellent player must also be a smart player.  He/she must become a student of the game. Their intimate knowledge will allow them to tum opponents’ mistakes into opportunities to score. The smart player is able to pull off the unexpected without it being a gamble.  The physically skilled player works on their craft constantly. The leader reads, attends camps, watches videos, practices and trains specific to the sport.  It is their passion and focus even in the off-season which elevates their game. Some players are born with skill, but a leader works tirelessly to improve their skill and the skill of their teammates.
  5. Respect:  Respect must be earned.  It's often said that it takes time to "earn" the respect of others. This is not necessarily true.   A player should look to earn the respect of this coaches and fellow teammates on the first day of practice. Showing up early, demonstrating an exemplary work ethic, a winning morale, exhibiting tremendous skill and a sense of responsibility are things that will win the respect of your teammates and coaches immediately. Maintaining this respect day after day, week after week, season after season separates the leaders from the other players. Respect is tenuous. A player can lose the respect of his teammates and coaches with one careless comment or one thoughtless activity. Earning and then maintaining respect is a difficult job that requires self-control, sincerity, confidence, and determination.

 

Summary: Many recruiters look more than what is visible on the ice. It's not surprising that they often want to know more about a player’s personality and leadership qualities than their skill. Physical skill speaks for itself. It shows up in the paper and in team stats. Leadership qualities are not as easily summarized but of equal importance to the success of an organization. To win the opportunity to prove yourself on the ice and perhaps more importantly, in life,  develop the art of leadership.