Minor hockey tryouts (was: How to motivate a novice (or any) player for tryouts?)

[jetsmooseice]

I explained she needed to work on her strength and shooting.

For pre-teens, what does this typically entail? I get that shooting can mean shooting pucks on ice or on the driveway. But for a 10, 11, 12, even 13 year old, what are some recommended ways to build strength? Are kids that age putting in time in the weight room, or is it something else?

 

[oldunclehue]

For pre-teens, what does this typically entail? I get that shooting can mean shooting pucks on ice or on the driveway. But for a 10, 11, 12, even 13 year old, what are some recommended ways to build strength? Are kids that age putting in time in the weight room, or is it something else?

Exactly that, this girl was quite a bit behind on shooting, like hard time raising a puck and hitting the net at the time. She was a good skater but behind in a few places but shooting was the biggest.

She put work in from what her mother said after, shooting pucks, focusing on that. It showed as the next year she had caught up and made the top team where she was a great addition.

13 year olds for sure are now working out. My 13 year old went to a trainer this summer for hockey work outs. Most kids trying to make the jump to AAA are doing at least workouts if not much much more. We don't have a lot offered here for hockey focused training but rather than spending thousands to drive to the nearest big city for that, we paid a fraction for him to go to a trainer and do weights/plyometrics related to hockey. I see it as a positive either way, hes now comfortable and enjoys the gym and can do his own routine at home which is positive for life, but also get stronger for hockey.

I believe 10-11-12 might be a bit early to start weights in a routine, but there is actually nothing that says they can't or shouldn't. But their is always different means to try and add things, body movement, quick feet work. This was our first year of doing any sort of hockey related training outside of shooting pucks and passing/stickhandling games at home.

 

[Slats432]

For pre-teens, what does this typically entail? I get that shooting can mean shooting pucks on ice or on the driveway. But for a 10, 11, 12, even 13 year old, what are some recommended ways to build strength? Are kids that age putting in time in the weight room, or is it something else?

My son at 10 years old. 500 pucks a day.

My son at 14....still at it.



He ended up with a 90+ MPH slapshot and 70+ MPH snapshot. Put in the work.

 

[Yukon Joe]

For pre-teens, what does this typically entail? I get that shooting can mean shooting pucks on ice or on the driveway. But for a 10, 11, 12, even 13 year old, what are some recommended ways to build strength? Are kids that age putting in time in the weight room, or is it something else?

As I understand it, 13 is the absolute earliest they should start with any kind of weight training, but before that you can absolutely be doing some body weight training. Think sit-ups, push-ups, and the like.

Getting better at shooting can absolutely be as simple as shooting pucks in the driveway.

My 2010 kid has been working with a trainer for about the last year or so - with weights.

I did email my 2012 kid's former coach and I got back a nice reply, complemented on how far he's come, said the things to work on are speed and puck control, commenting on how those can be difficult when you're going through a growth spurt (which my kid definitely is).

 

[Yukon Joe]

tryouts roller-coaster is now on the upswing.

2010 kid, after a strong exhibition game last night, is told he doesn't need to dress tonight.

2012 kid is at least placed in the top group for community hockey. Still has more tryouts to go, but making Tier 1 would still be pretty good for a kid in Tier 3 last year.

 

[Minnesota Knudsens]

tryouts roller-coaster is now on the upswing.

2010 kid, after a strong exhibition game last night, is told he doesn't need to dress tonight.

2012 kid is at least placed in the top group for community hockey. Still has more tryouts to go, but making Tier 1 would still be pretty good for a kid in Tier 3 last year.

I worried over nothing. My son went out and worked hard on the ice and is a shoe in for his Select team. This year instead of just being a player, he looks like a team leader out there. Really proud of him.

 

[Yukon Joe]

And the hockey try-out roller-coaster is on a downswing.

2010 kid survived the next round of cuts. There are now 7 defencemen for 6 spots. But A: my kid was specifically told he's on the bubble, they want him to be more physical and vocal out there, and B: apparently the team is calling around looking for a right-shot D (my kid is a left-shot, along with most of the D-men).

 

[Yukon Joe]

And the roller-coaster is... up.

2012 kid is still in the top group for this weekend's scrimmage - which will be the last one before teams are formed.

Bittersweet news - he has two really good buddies that play hockey - one a goalie, one a forward. All three of them go to a hockey school and I drive them in the morning to school. First skate - my kid and the goalie were in the top group, forward in the second. Now for this second skate, my kid and the forward are in the top group, goalie in the second. I very much doubt it would happen but I would love for all three of them to be on the same Tier 1 team.

 

[Oilslick941611]

Yup - Edmonton minor hockey, and he's a 2010 kid. He (I think understandably) doesn't care about "tiers" - he just likes to play hockey, preferably with his friends if he can, and of course he likes to win more than he likes to lose.

So from his perspective it makes sense to almost to not try very hard in evaluations.

But from a parents perspective... look my kid isn't making the NHL. What I want from him playing hockey is for him to love the game I love, and to learn that hard work and effort can pay off. Being placed in a tier that doesn't challenge him isn't going to get him to work any harder or inspire him in practice. Which is why I want to make sure he tries hard in evaluations.

Yes, in our evaluations his tiering last year makes no difference, as does the camps he did (other than the improvement in his skills I observed). Evaluations is based on the skates, but as mentioned modified by how they do in two exhibition-type games.

Let your kid be a kid. Don’t force it on him.

 

[Slats432]

Let your kid be a kid. Don’t force it on him.

You quoted a 2018 post. A lot of water has run under that bridge in 6 years.

 

[Oilslick941611]

You quoted a 2018 post. A lot of water has run under that bridge in 6 years.

its still there for other people who might have questions/need advice. Also 2018 is like what, a 2 years ago?

 

[Slats432]

 

[Yukon Joe]

its still there for other people who might have questions/need advice. Also 2018 is like what, a 2 years ago?

Like, I know - wasn't that just a few weeks ago?

But I still think my frustration from 2018 (and really - I was talking about something from 2017) was warranted, because I just went through the exact same thing in evaluations two weeks ago.

My club, and several others (but not all) start evaluations by doing a series of timed skating drills. Forward skate, backwards skate, pivot, and weave through cones with a puck. Those times then become the starting point of where kids are tiered, which then gets adjusted up and down after some scrimmages.

So I like the fact that it's 100% impartial - skate times don't lie. It doesn't matter what tier you played in the year before, it doesn't matter who your parents or siblings are - if you blow the doors off in the timed skates you're in the top group.

But there's a difference between doing good writing a test, and between actually knowing the material. You can be a great hockey player (and fast too) but if you don't perform well in 1 10 minute span of time you can be moved way down. Similarly you can be a great skater, but not a good hockey player, and get pushed up way too high.

I'll never know, but in part I think that was to blame for my youngest quitting hockey. We put him in a camp or two and he turned in really good skate times. He therefore got placed in a really high tier - which was not where his ability or desire was. So at the start of the year he wasn't touching the puck, then just got discouraged, and it was a whole downward spiral from there.

But anyways, two weeks ago - I was again out there trying to help coach for the skating drills. And I could see some kids really knew what to do, while others were struggling - not with skating or hockey itself, but just with the damn drills. And these weren't even my kid's age group - I was just volunteering.

 

[Yukon Joe]

And the roller-coaster is... steady.

2010 kid played 2 games over the weekend. He was more physical, which his coaches were looking for. We got all excited that cuts were being made last night - but turns out only one forward. Still 7D for 6 spots. Coaches told him to be more willing to skate with the puck rather than always look for a pass.

2012 kid is now finished. I think he looked good but nobody out there was perfect. I think I mentioned - he is really tall out there, having hit puberty when many other kids haven't. He might get by on size alone. Now we wait for a phone call.

 

[Yukon Joe]

2012 kid is at least placed in the top group for community hockey. Still has more tryouts to go, but making Tier 1 would still be pretty good for a kid in Tier 3 last year.

Nope. Tier 2. Which you'd expect just by virtue alone of being one year older, never mind the extra work he put in. I thought he looked better than that.

Ah well, I think the coach will be decent, he'll know several kids on the team, so I'm sure it'll be a fine year. I do hope he's not too disappointed.

First practice is on Saturday!

 

[Slats432]

Nope. Tier 2. Which you'd expect just by virtue alone of being one year older, never mind the extra work he put in. I thought he looked better than that.

Ah well, I think the coach will be decent, he'll know several kids on the team, so I'm sure it'll be a fine year. I do hope he's not too disappointed.

First practice is on Saturday!

Kids generally don't care what tier they are in. They do care if they get cut from a team. It is a negligible difference between tier 1 and tier 2. In federation hockey the goal is exercise, fun and development.

 

[Yukon Joe]

Kids generally don't care what tier they are in. They do care if they get cut from a team. It is a negligible difference between tier 1 and tier 2. In federation hockey the goal is exercise, fun and development.

They can be more competitive than that.

This kid has an older brother playing club hockey, and a good friend is on the Tier 1 team and has already told my kid. So I suspect he'll be disappointed.

I should emphasize I have never talked to him about Tiers or made any kind of deal about making any particular tier or team.

I'm sure it'll be fine in two days when we first get out on the ice, but it might sting a bit. This kid, after being cut from AA, on his own volition cleared out a bunch of room in the garage and started shooting pucks - not something he ever really does.

Good news is he's on the "development" team so there's a lot of ice and practice time to be had.

 

[Yukon Joe]

And the roller coaster... plummets down.

2010 kid was cut from AAA. Such as that is - so be it. Not criticizing the cut. But he's the last cut.

Problem is we're now so late in the day every other AAA team is full. I'm worried now that even the AA teams are full. I gently mentioned this to my kid who was like "no way - I'll be invited to a AA team and be their captain". Which is probably not a bad attitude to have right now, albeit not one I think is realistic.

I feel like I jinxed my kid by suggesting such a thing was even possible... But I could see him winding up on a Tier 2 local team at this point.

I told my kid that "hey it's only a game" - at which Mrs Joe bit my head off. I think she's taking it harder than my kid is. Not sure how to handle this aspect. Because it's true - I want my kid to be a good person who treats people with integrity and respect far more than I want him to be a good hockey player. And I know Mrs Joe wants that too. But I don't know how to balance that without minimizing how my kid is disappointed at being cut - which he is and I don't blame him.

 

[timekeep]

And the roller coaster... plummets down.

2010 kid was cut from AAA. Such as that is - so be it. Not criticizing the cut. But he's the last cut.

Problem is we're now so late in the day every other AAA team is full. I'm worried now that even the AA teams are full. I gently mentioned this to my kid who was like "no way - I'll be invited to a AA team and be their captain". Which is probably not a bad attitude to have right now, albeit not one I think is realistic.

I feel like I jinxed my kid by suggesting such a thing was even possible... But I could see him winding up on a Tier 2 local team at this point.

I told my kid that "hey it's only a game" - at which Mrs Joe bit my head off. I think she's taking it harder than my kid is. Not sure how to handle this aspect. Because it's true - I want my kid to be a good person who treats people with integrity and respect far more than I want him to be a good hockey player. And I know Mrs Joe wants that too. But I don't know how to balance that without minimizing how my kid is disappointed at being cut - which he is and I don't blame him.

Too bad to hear about you son's cut. So this bullshit still happens, @Slats432 help this guy out.

 

[Yukon Joe]

Too bad to hear about you son's cut. So this bullshit still happens, @Slats432 help this guy out.

Nah man - I really appreciate @Slats432 being a bit of a sounding board for me here on this forum but these aren't his teams and he has no role in it for good or bad.

Sounds like the AA coach wants to "talk" so that's something. But it's not the same as "show up on Thursday for practice". We'll see what happens.

I also reached out to the local JPHL team - they invited him out for a skate so that might be an option as well. I still have a lot of reservations about that option though (including, but not limited to, cost).

Edit: nope now he has a practice - tonight - with the AA team. So that's much better.

Second edit: and the shitty thing is the AA roster looks set - if my kid comes in it's going to result in some other kid losing his spot.

 

[Slats432]

Nah man - I really appreciate @Slats432 being a bit of a sounding board for me here on this forum but these aren't his teams and he has no role in it for good or bad.

Sounds like the AA coach wants to "talk" so that's something. But it's not the same as "show up on Thursday for practice". We'll see what happens.

I also reached out to the local JPHL team - they invited him out for a skate so that might be an option as well. I still have a lot of reservations about that option though (including, but not limited to, cost).

Edit: nope now he has a practice - tonight - with the AA team. So that's much better.

Second edit: and the shitty thing is the AA roster looks set - if my kid comes in it's going to result in some other kid losing his spot.

I have never seen the last cut from AAA go to tier hockey unless they wanted to. And late in the process, that is what happens.

I am currently 14F, 8D, 3G. There are two players from U18AAA that came down to U17AAA this weekend, which could mean two more players come to me. I could be down to roster by Friday, and get two more players. Roster deadline is Oct 15.

If you think about it, there are a bunch of kids at Jr A still possible to be released. Then it comes downhill after that. Jr A -->U18AAA--->U17AAA--->U16AA.

As for your son, it sucks to be the last cut, but you have to evaluate your tryout as it is. If there are things to work on, there are things to work on.

Kids that played U15AA two years ago, played for me last year, are some of the top players at U17AAA. There were players that were my affiliates that I brought to practice and helped develop went long in the process of U17AAA which means they will go from being a 15 year old that played Federation hockey to U18AA, which is a great accomplishment for a 16 year old.

 

[Yukon Joe]

If you think about it, there are a bunch of kids at Jr A still possible to be released. Then it comes downhill after that. Jr A -->U18AAA--->U17AAA--->U16AA.

As for your son, it sucks to be the last cut, but you have to evaluate your tryout as it is. If there are things to work on, there are things to work on.

Kids that played U15AA two years ago, played for me last year, are some of the top players at U17AAA. There were players that were my affiliates that I brought to practice and helped develop went long in the process of U17AAA which means they will go from being a 15 year old that played Federation hockey to U18AA, which is a great accomplishment for a 16 year old.

Being a junior A billet family of course now makes me an expert :p - but I thought those guys were finished with tryouts. Yeah the older ages it sounds like it gets even more crazy. You can also throw in the WHL --> Jr A level.

Mrs Joe was beating herself up a bit that she didn't give my kid a proper pep talk before last night's game - whereas he's 14, he needs to self-motivate at this point. If I was him (and I might suggest this) he should take his written evaluation, complete with what he needs to improve on, post it on his bedroom wall and get motivation from it before every game. But it's up to him.

We'll see what happens tonight. I'd much rather not go to JPHL (no offence to those parents who do), but just the fact he'd have to change schools to go there is a big negative to me.

 

[patnyrnyg]

Still ridiculous to me that AAA and AA would have tryouts at the same time. Not that things are perfect here, so I guess it is pick your poison.

 

[Yukon Joe]

Allright the roller-coaster is - up, and it looks like I can close this thread for another year.

My kid was asked to come to the AA practice last night, and was told by the coach he was on the team. Now the really crappy thing is that because my kid showed up they then immediately turned around and cut some other kid. I don't know this other kid but I feel for him because he would've been skating with this team for a couple of weeks.

So nobody wound up on the team they really wanted, but everyone seems moderately happy with the team they got.

Still ridiculous to me that AAA and AA would have tryouts at the same time. Not that things are perfect here, so I guess it is pick your poison.

The thing for us is if my kid had been cut one week earlier he would have had the opportunity to go and try out for other AAA teams - and we literally had other teams asking about him. But because of the timing all the other AAA teams were finalized.

Now maybe playing a second year at AA will be good for him. His AAA final evaluation was not that he lacked the skills so much as he needed more confidence to go out and make plays and move the puck. After watching the AAA kids for almost a month I could see the AA kids are just that little bit slower. But of course maybe he'd be pushed more playing in AAA. We'll never know.

 

[patnyrnyg]

Allright the roller-coaster is - up, and it looks like I can close this thread for another year.

My kid was asked to come to the AA practice last night, and was told by the coach he was on the team. Now the really crappy thing is that because my kid showed up they then immediately turned around and cut some other kid. I don't know this other kid but I feel for him because he would've been skating with this team for a couple of weeks.

So nobody wound up on the team they really wanted, but everyone seems moderately happy with the team they got.



The thing for us is if my kid had been cut one week earlier he would have had the opportunity to go and try out for other AAA teams - and we literally had other teams asking about him. But because of the timing all the other AAA teams were finalized.

Now maybe playing a second year at AA will be good for him. His AAA final evaluation was not that he lacked the skills so much as he needed more confidence to go out and make plays and move the puck. After watching the AAA kids for almost a month I could see the AA kids are just that little bit slower. But of course maybe he'd be pushed more playing in AAA. We'll never know.

If this is the process in your area, would think that AA coach would have the sense to leave a few spots open for the AAA cuts. I get it, they may not get any to come down, but then you can try to bring someone back.