To Try Out or Not to Try Out... That is the question
Parents of Players - 2003, 2004 and 2005 Birth Years
This note is to give you a quick update on try-outs for the Tyke Select Teams. One of the underlying priorities of the WSMHA is the training & development of our players at all ages. It's especially important for our youngest players, whose first hockey experiences often determine whether they will continue to play.
This is why we have a very structured Initiation Program and a focused Select Program for those kids who want an early introduction to competitive hockey.
Our initial plan this year for our Tyke Select program was to have a
Tyke A (Super 7's) team and a
Tyke C team. The Tyke A (Super 7's) Team was intended primarily for 7 years old's (2003's), while the Tyke C team was intended for primarily 6 & 5 year old's (2004 & 2005's) as a development and "feeder" team for next year's Super 7's team. There may be instances of 6 year old's playing up on the Tyke A (Super 7's) and 7 year old's playing for the Tyke C team. These situations were intended to be limited in number and only upon alignment of the coaches involved, and the Board of the Association.
After close evaluation of the try-outs thus far, the coaches and other evaluators of the players feel our initial plan is representative of the skill level involved. We feel there is sufficient skill level to ice a competitive Tyke A (Super 7's) Team and a Tyke C team that will play against primarily 5 & 6 year old players from other communities. If the Tyke C team was to have more than two or three 7 year old's, they would be required to play in a Tyke B loop with primarily 7 year old teams where there would be a significant difference in skill level.
Therefore: There will be an
additional tryout for 2003 kids only for the Tyke A (Super 7's) team on
Thursday, Sept. 9th at 6:15pm at the Clipper Complex Pad 2. All parents with players born in 2003, who have not been out for the try-outs are invited to come out. There will be an
additional tryout for 2005 & 2004 kids only for the Tyke C team ALSO on Thursday, Sept. 9th at 5:00pm at the Stouffville Arena Pad A. From these tryouts, additional selections will be made, and parents will get an indication if their child will be playing on one of these two Tyke Select teams.
If you have any questions, please send me an e-mail at
[email protected] or call at 416-434-2113.
Sincerely, Greg Smith VP Hockey Operations (Rep.)