U9 Division
U9 division is for all children born in the calendar years 2015 or 2016.
For those new to U9 or our Zone, we wish you a SPECIAL WELCOME. The following is an information package that will help you understand the process that has been adopted for your child in the upcoming hockey season. Please take the time to thoroughly read through this entire package. It will provide information on the evaluation process, and your child’s placement on a team.
Coaching: If you are interested in coaching this hockey season, please apply online. All people interested in head coach or assistant coaching must fill out an application. All interested coaches are invited to watch the evaluations.
Program Information: Our U9 program this year will consist of (2) Tier B, (4) Tier C, and (4) Tier D teams this year.
PRE SKATE Information: (non-evaluated skates)
Once again, the Comets are happy to offer these ‘optional’ pre skates for players to get back on the ice and prepare for the evaluation process. Your daughter is pre-registered for these skates with her registration form.
Pre Skate dates: **Please Note **The August 29th & 31st times will be during the day (12:15-3:45) due to ice availability. Then the 3rd and 4th pre-skates are scheduled September 9th & 16th. We ask that you please still let us know if your daughter is unable to attend. On the day of the pre skates, please check in with us as you enter the rink so that we can fully check your daughter in. Please bring your own jersey for these sessions.
TRYOUTS/EVALUATION Information (evaluated skates)
Evaluation dates: September 23rd, 29th, 30th and October 1 with the bubble games Oct 3rd 2023.
To begin the evaluation process, the players will be alphabetically placed in 5 groups to try and make equal numbers in each grouping. This means there will be players of different levels and abilities on the ice at the same time. When the scrimmages begin 4 new groups will be made. Please check which grouping your child is in on the website at www.cometshockey.ca.
Prior to each evaluation skate, your child will be assigned a jersey number and color. This will be their evaluation number for that particular skate. This will be the only tool used to identify the players. These jerseys will be collected after each skate so that the next group can wear them as well.
PLEASE TURN IN EVALUATION JERSEYS AFTER EACH TRYOUT SESSION! Your daughter will be assigned a new color and number for each session that she is on the ice for.
The evaluations consist of two skills and agility skates and two scrimmages, 4 on 4. Two bubble games will be held to evaluate final placement. Evaluators will be looking at, but are not limited to, skating, passing, puck control, and shooting in addition to team tactics and work ethic.
Players’ ratings will take place during the evaluation sessions by off-ice, independent evaluators.
The coordinator will observe the evaluation ice times.
We will need people to work the gates for the girls during the games, so please contact the coordinator if you are interested in helping. At your daughter’s scrimmage, there will be a sign up sheet for positions that will need to be filled to help out with the scrimmage, so please check in at the registration table to sign up.
As parents, one area you can be of assistance during the evaluation process is to continually encourage your child and other children. It would also be helpful to remind your child to try their best on each and every drill and each shift in the scrimmage. Stay positive and remind them to have FUN!!
Regrouping will occur after each evaluation skate. Please check the Comet website for your daughter’s next ice time. If you do not have access to a computer during evaluations, please let the coordinator know and provide your contact information.
Notes:
- All players are to be in full equipment for all skates, and neck guards (double check your bag for all your equipment before coming to the rink)
- Names to be removed from helmets
- Team stickers on helmets (unless Comets) are to be removed or covered with black tape - NO spring hockey logos.
- Socks are to be plain or Comet – NO spring team socks.
- NO spring hockey pant shells.
- Check the website for your next ice time
- Please return jerseys after each session
It is important that your child be present at all of their assigned sessions in order to ensure that they are placed at the level that is most suitable for their abilities. Please have the player ready to go 10 minutes before the ice time.
** FEMALE DRESSING ROOM POLICY U9 **: All players should wear no less than athletic gym shorts/long underwear and shirts any time in the locker room. If it is not possible to wear a minimum of gym shorts/long underwear and a shirt at all times while putting on hockey equipment top, dressing options other than the locker room should be sought by that player’s parents (ie home, or closed bathroom stall). Parents may enter the room to assist their children in getting dressed, but the girls should never be in the room alone with an adult unless it is their parent or guardian... make sure you are “two deep” at all times. i.e. no adult (male or female) should ever be alone in the dressing room with the players. **
If you have any questions about the evaluation process or the season in general, feel free to contact me by email at u9coordinator@cometshockey.ca.
Take care,
Tosha Fidyk
Comets U9 Coordinator
u9coordinator@cometshockey.ca