Atom AA Tryouts for 2017-18, News, Atom AA, 2017-2018, Rep (Waterloo Ravens Girls Hockey Association )

Dear Players and Parents,Welcome to the Waterloo Ravens Atom AA team tryouts!  The following information should serve to answers questions about the Atom AA team and tryout procedures.  If you have any questions, please feel free to speak with me or a Ravens representative before or after the tryout sessions. More detailed information and updates for the team during the tryout process can be found on the Atom AA team website at: https://waterlooravens.com/Teams/1769/

....This document is available as a printable PDF online at https://goo.gl/GpdD6h

Coaching Team:  

Steven Woods (Head Coach),   [email protected],    519-591-2764 (cell)

Note: The rest of the coaching team will be chosen following the team selection process.  Volunteers will be solicited at the parents organization meeting currently scheduled for May 3rd, 6pm-7.30pm - Room TBD.

Important Note: Before attending a spring tryout, please make certain that AA is the right program for you.

Commitment and Expectations:  

The WGMHA offers a number of hockey programs catering to different levels of commitment and expectations. AA teams cater to players and families with the very highest levels of appetite for hockey. Participation on a AA team generally comes at the expense of many other willing participants and therefore demands commitment, dedication and sacrifice.

There will be well in excess of 100 ice times including games, tournaments (4 plus league and provincial finals if achieved), team practices, power skating organized by the team and skill development sessions with the UW Warrior Hockey teams. There will also be regular dry-land training sessions scheduled at Depth Training in Waterloo.

AA/Tier 1 teams are certainly NOT for everyone. In fairness to all involved, you must decide ahead of time if you are prepared as a player and/or family to make the commitment.  Tryout participants not intending to play for this team are asked not to return after the first tryout.

Tryouts:

Unfortunately, not everyone can play on this team.  The tryout and release process can be a difficult and emotional time for players and parents.   All players will be afforded a minimum of 2 tryouts.  During the tryout sessions, players will be evaluated on work ethic, hockey knowledge and individual skills.  We are looking for strong work commitment, team players, leadership, positive attitude, creativity - and individuals with a well-disciplined approach to the game.

Evaluators:

In addition to Ravens-assigned independent tryout evaluators, the following experienced Ravens coaches have offered to assist with on-ice evaluations: Kevin Read, Jeff Butt and Brian Bourque.  Intra-squad benches and exhibition games benches will be overseen by longtime Ravens coach Dr Bob Stevens, with assistance from other independent volunteers.  Laura Mcintosh (UW assistant coach) and her team will run the on-ice skills & drills session on April 22.

Schedule:

Imports:

As per the WGMHA Constitution, there are 2 imports allowed from centres that did not offer AA or A programs in 2016-17.  Additional details can be found on the Ravens website or by contacting the Ravens executive.

Releases:

After the second tryout we will be posting on the Ravens website the numbers of the players invited to continue in the tryout process.  Specific tryout jersey numbers will also be listed for players who will dress in specific games.  If you are not playing in a particular game you do NOT need to attend the game.  If you do choose to attend, please avoid the dressing rooms and watch from the stands.   The practice jersey number worn by the player in the initial skills and drills try-out will be the number posted.  Additional releases will be posted (if any) following each event. The final roster will be posted online on the evening of April 27th following the final home exhibition game.

Reminders:

• Please arrive 30-45 minutes prior to the ice time in order to register

• Players are to be dressed and ready to go at least 10 minutes before the scheduled ice time.

• Tryout jerseys must be returned after each tryout.  

• Please inform a member of the Coaching Team and/or the Ravens organization if your child is unable to attend a tryout or is withdrawing from the tryout process.

Pre-Season heads-up:

Space has been reserved for this team in a UW-led power skating/drills camp specifically aimed at Atom AA girls hockey development for August 28 - September 1st.  Regular practices for Ravens spring-selected representative teams will start approximately in the second half of August.

Regular Season:

The Waterloo Ravens are members of the Lower Lakes Female Hockey League. The tentative loop and game schedule for this team will be communicated as soon as it is finalized in late September.

Tournaments:

We are intending to book in the following tournaments (subject to change and availability):

• Oakville Harvest Classic.  September 2017

• Waterloo Ravens Fall Challenge Cup,  November 2017

• Whitby Tournament of Heroes, December 2017

• Aurora Silverstick, February 2017

Additionally we hope to qualify for:

• LLFHL Championship Weekend.  March, 2018

• OWHA Championship Tournament.  April, 2018

Team Fees:

Successful players are responsible for paying the following:  Ravens General Registration Fees and Team Fees.  The Registration $560 and Rep $635 fees are set by the WGMHA.  We expect the Team Fees to be approximately $1200 per player.  The full team budget will be reviewed at the Parent/Player meeting scheduled for May 3rd, 6pm-7.30pm - Room TBD.

Best of luck to everyone in the tryout process!