What are Evaluations?

The founders of the Avalanche created a mission to provide an opportunity for young females to play competitive or recreational ice hockey in a safe and enjoyable environment.  The evaluation process and policy is the foundation of this mission.

Our Association begins each season with a process for registered players in the U11 - U18 age divisions called “evaluations”.  Players must be registered to be evaluated. (There is no formal evaluations process for U7s and U9s as these are skill building years.)

Evaluations involve observing hockey players in action on the ice and ranking the players’ hockey skills compared to a group of their peers.  This process helps the Association group the hockey players in the most appropriate level of competition for the season ahead.

The Goals of the Evaluation Process

The main purpose of the evaluation process is to benefit the players. Our evaluations goals are:

• To place all players on teams most closely aligned with their current skills and development objectives, so they can have a fun and rewarding experience during the hockey season.
• To ensure the evaluation process is objective, fair and has the best interests of all players and the Association in mind.
• To reduce stress and worry for players and parents through communication of the evaluation process.

The third-party evaluators who conduct our evaluations make every effort to be objective in their assessments and consistent with the goals of the evaluation process.  Our players are encouraged to enter the evaluation process with the mindset of putting their best foot forward and enjoying the process. This is just one step in their journey as an athlete.

What Level Should a Player Try Out For?

Before registering for evaluations for A and C1 teams, players and parents should consider a number of factors to ensure that the player plays on a team that is not only appropriate to her level of abilities but is also consistent with her objectives and level of commitment, and those of her family.

U18 A, U15 A, U13 A and U11 A team

The A level teams are our “rep” level teams.  These teams are competitive and will participate in the top tiers of their age division during the season, as well as in several tournaments.  The U18 A, U15 A and U13 A teams work towards qualifying for the Provincial Championships at the end of the season.  (There is no Provincial Championship at the U11 level.)

Players on A teams must demonstrate advanced playing abilities and skills, a desire to excel, a strong commitment to developing as a player and as part of a team, and a competitive spirit while having fun playing.  Players should expect to practice at least eight times per month on average and also participate in additional on and off ice training, conditioning, and development initiatives.

The time commitment required of A level players is much greater than for players on teams at other levels.  A level players are expected to have close to full participation for all team practices, games, and functions during the season that runs from September to late March.  Full disclosure of any external conflicts that may potentially limit a player’s ability to fully participate must be made on the Disclosure Document submitted as part of the evaluation registration process.  A player who cannot make the required time commitment, regardless of her abilities and skills, should not expect to take away a spot on the team from another player and may have to move to a lower level team.

Upon being selected to an A team, a player will be required to pay a “rep team” fee to the Association for, among other things, additional Association ice time, as well as expenses related to coaching costs, incremental ice times, additional conditioning and developmental initiatives, tournament fees, travel costs, etc.  The financial commitment required for A level players is greater than for players on teams at other levels.

We recognize that this is a big commitment. If during the evaluation process a player determines that they do not wish to play on an A or C1 level team, the family must advise the Association in writing (email or other written form) prior to the announcement of the working groups.  Unless approved by the Association, a player who does not so advise the Association prior to the announcement of the working groups shall be required to play for the team they are placed on.

C Teams

In recent years, the level of female hockey has increased dramatically.  Strong players who do not have the time available to make a full commitment to a Rep (A) team should consider a C-level team as an excellent option.  Our C1 teams still offer a high level of play and often win tournament trophies and league championship banners.

Parents of athletes who have gone through the evaluation process and been assigned to C teams have also noted that playing a leadership role at that level may be more beneficial to their player’s development.  In recent years, a number of parents have expressed the view that their daughter’s on and off-ice development was enhanced by being placed on a C team.

A player who does not register for and attend evaluation sessions will be placed on the lowest level team for her age group, usually C2.  Many of our players who prefer a very recreational level of play go this route every year.

Players registered for evaluations must attend every evaluation session.  When a player cannot attend an evaluation, or needs to arrive late or leave early, she should contact the Player and Coach Development Coordinator at least 24 hours prior to the session.  Any health or other issues that may impact the player’s evaluation must be discussed with the Player and Coach Development Coordinator at least 24 hours prior to the session. The Player and Coach Development Coordinator will address these situations on a case by case basis at their discretion.

Players will be evaluated based on the position that they signed up for in their evaluation registration.  Goalies are required to attend both the goalie only evaluation session and the player evaluation sessions.  Players who are interested in goaltending and playing out must advise the Coaching Coordinator and Goalie Coordinator at least 48 hours before the evaluation sessions begin.  Goaltenders should expect to be evaluated at every session and not just at the goaltender evaluation session.

At check-in, each player will receive a pinnie with a number. Evaluators refer to the pinnie colour and/or number to rank players. Players should not switch their assigned pinnie with other players unless requested by evaluators, should not tuck in their pinnies and should make sure that their hair does not cover up the number. Goaltenders are asked to wear their number in the front. Jerseys must be returned after each evaluation session.

Generally, the first evaluation session will involve primarily skills and drills, and the second and third sessions may incorporate game situations and/or scrimmages. It may be necessary to release players from evaluations in order to limit numbers or balance the level of players during the evaluation scrimmage games.

At times, evaluators may ask for certain lines to play together or even certain players to change colours and numbers. A player may also be asked to play a position different than the one she indicated she is trying out for.

Parents and others are asked to stay clear as much as possible from the evaluators to allow them do their job without interruption or without worrying about others overhearing their comments to each other. It is essential that evaluators are able to speak candidly to each other during the evaluation process.

The evaluation format and schedule is subject to change due to administrative and other requirements beyond the control of the association.

The Evaluation Process

Where possible, head coaches are put in place prior to evaluations to assist in the process.  In some cases two or three individuals may be chosen as potential head coaches for a team and the head coach determined after players (and coaches’ daughters) are ranked and placed.  All coaching decisions and changes in this regard are subject to the discretion of the Association.

Each player participating in the evaluations will be ranked confidentially for their respective team level.  After the evaluations, working groups will be set for both the teams at each age group.

The head coaches are entitled to cut players from the Tier 1 working group and is also entitled to call up players from the Tier 2 working group, as the head coach of the Tier 1 team deems appropriate. The same procedure is applicable to the Tier 2 Head Coach.

The Head Coach of the teams, as applicable, will decide which players make their respective teams.  Where a head coach is not in place during the working group practices, the Association will make other arrangements. Coaches may elect to continue with a working group in whatever format they consider necessary in order to further evaluate.

The total number of players, and the number of players for each position, a team carries, is subject to the approval of the President or Player and Coach Development Coordinator (or their designate) in consultation with the Head Coach.

Any player that is released prior to the commencement of the third working group practice of the team will be assigned to the working group of the Tier below team for placement consideration on the next Tier team.  Any player that is released after the commencement of the third working group practice of the team will be automatically placed on the next Tier team.

Player Notification of Results

For the U18 A & C1, U15 A & C1, U13 A & C1 and U11 A & C1 teams, players will be notified by email regarding their working group placement following the final evaluation session.

Any player movement after these initial postings will be communicated by the coaching staff or Association in a manner they deem appropriate. Although final rosters are submitted to the PCAHA in mid-September, players may be moved from or to a team until early January.  Players may be moved down or up a level in a variety of circumstances including, but not limited to, poor attendance, poor attitude, failure to fully disclose availability to attend practices or games, etc.

Disclosure of Player Participation Conflicts

The Association and coaches expect players to commit to attending the vast majority of team practices, games and functions with a view to supporting personal development and team success.  Practices at all levels are considered to be just as important as games, but especially in Tier 1. If a player cannot make the required time commitment, regardless of her abilities and skills, this may be an issue that could affect a player’s placement on a particular team.

Full written disclosure of any external conflicts that may potentially limit a player’s ability to fully participate must be made to the Player and Coach Development Coordinator prior to the evaluation process via the Disclosure Document.  If a player has not fully or correctly disclosed conflicts or if her attendance at practices or games is lacking, she may be moved to a lower level team during the season.

This does not mean that a player is prohibited from playing other sports or activities while on the roster for a team, and particularly for an A team, as it is recognized that good athletes play a multitude of sports. However, full written disclosure is required by all players to enable the Association to make an informed assessment prior team selection. Players’ disclosures will be provided to the Head Coach prior to player selection.

Parents are Required to Help

Without support and assistance from parents, the evaluation process cannot proceed. As parents, you can help the evaluation process by:

• Explaining to your daughter what evaluations are.  Many players do not know what the process is and what it accomplishes.  You can tell your hockey player she is constantly developing as a hockey player and evaluations are a time for her skills to be recognized so she can be placed on the appropriate team.  Tell your daughter to showcase her current level of development by trying her best each time she goes on the ice. Remember she (as a person) is not being evaluated.   It is her specific hockey skills for her age and experience that are being ranked.  These skills change year by year so the Association needs to “check” where she currently stands in terms of her skating, shooting, passing, checking etc.
• Getting your daughter to the arena at least 45 minutes before the start of evaluation sessions to allow for check in, personal warm up to prevent injury, and time to change.
• Encouraging your daughter to be dressed and ready to go on the ice 5 minutes prior to their evaluation time. This will give on-ice instructors and divisional coordinators the chance to explain the session to the players if needed.
• Staying positive. Support your daughter throughout the process. Don’t try to be her coach and do not sweat the small stuff – it’s the beginning of the year.  She may fall, may not be in top shape, and may miss pylons and passes. It’s all part of hockey. Be positive and help your daughter enjoy the time on the ice.
• On scheduled dates, Association representatives will be present at sign-in and information tables in the arena.  A minimum of 6 parents are required per evaluation session to assist with check-in and den mom duties.
• Divisional Coordinators will email parents to determine which sessions you can assist with.