(from EVHA Handbook Updated 5/2023)

Tryout Policy

EVHA has established a process for conducting traveling team tryouts based on objectivity and fairness. The goal of EVHA’s tryout process is to ensure that each player is placed at the most appropriate level for their abilities.  The tryouts consist of several separate sessions, usually over a course of one to two weeks. 

Players that qualify under state high school rules to tryout at the varsity or junior varsity (JV) level must still register for EVHA at the appropriate level if they wish to return and play. This includes paying registration, tryout, and any incurred team costs up to the time they leave to play high school hockey. If players failing to make varsity or JV return and wish to play for EVHA they will be placed on the “C” team if they had not registered and participated in EVHA tryouts unless tryouts for their level have not been completed. 

Girls who try out for Squirt, Pee Wee or Bantam traveling teams are precluded from changing to play U10, U12, or U15 traveling teams once tryouts have begun for Squirt, Pee Wee or Bantam teams.  Conversely, Girls who try out for U10, U12, or U15 traveling teams are precluded from changing to play Squirt, Pee Wee or Bantam teams once tryouts have begun for U10, U12, or U15 teams. 

The Tryout Committee of the EVHA Board of Directors is responsible for the organization and execution of the respective tryouts.  EVHA tryouts will be conducted with the use of Evaluators selected by the Player Development Committee. EVHA Member Volunteers approved by the Tryout Committee and the Player Development Committee may be present during the tryout process.  Except for the before-mentioned, the tryout process will be closed to all other EVHA Members.   Although the Tryout Committee and the EVHA Member volunteers will be present during the tryout process, the EVHA Member volunteers and the Tryout Committee members will be prohibited from attending the tryout of their respective EVHA player.  Coaches of EVHA teams named to coach a specific team before the tryout process begins may be allowed to observe and help evaluate tryouts at the level they are assigned. 

Evaluators selected by the Player Development Committee will be responsible for evaluating all the players who wish to participate in the tryout process. The Evaluators will rank all participants according to their performance.   

The tryout sessions will be led by the Evaluators and will consist of a combination of drills and scrimmages depending on the level and preferences of the Evaluators. Tryout drills are designed to test individual skills, hockey awareness, and team play. Desire, hard work and self-control are also determining factors in evaluation and selection.  An objective of the scrimmages is to have the players skate on various player combinations of lines and positions throughout the tryout process and to evaluate each player’s abilities in game like situations 

Evaluators will be reviewing the following: 

• The player’s skating skills 
• The player’s individual hockey skills (puck handling, passing, receiving, shooting, body positioning) 
• The player’s team skills, both offensive and defensive 
• The player’s position play, teamwork, game skills, awareness. 

At the conclusion of Tryouts, the top evaluated group of players at each level are placed on the top team offered.  Those players not selected for the top team will be placed on the second highest team. This process will continue until all players have been placed on a team. Final team size for all teams will be determined by the Player Development Committee with input from the coach of the team, if a coach has been identified. The number of goalies per team may change depending on the number of goalies available, and on the grades given by the evaluators. 

Groups from all levels may participate in outside scrimmages against players from another association.  Any player receiving three penalties during any one scrimmage will be required to sit for the remainder of that day’s scrimmage, but will return for the next scrimmage, if applicable. Any player receiving a major penalty that results in an injury to another player will sit for the remainder of that scrimmage. 

Results: Posting of tryout groups during tryouts will be on the EVHA website (www.eastviewhockey.net). Posting during tryouts will be by tryout jersey number.  Final tryout results will be posted on the EVHA website within 48 hours of the last tryout. The posting will consist of player’s last name with the team and coach listed (if identified). All tryout results are final with no appeal. 

If there are two (2) teams at the same level, players will be divided equally. 

ABSENCE FROM TRYOUTS 

Excused Absences 

If a Player will miss a tryout session for other than medical or health related reasons, the Parent must communicate the reason for missing prior to the tryout date.  This request will be reviewed by the Player Development Committee.  If it is determined that the absence is excused, the Evaluators will attempt to accommodate the Player’s schedule and, if that is not practicable, will score the missed tryout using: 

• The Player’s attended tryout scores; 
• Past abilities of the player; 
• Interviews with past coaches; and 
• An assessment as to placement that is in best interests of the Association and the player (as is the case with all players participating in the tryout process). 

A Player missing a tryout for an excused absence will be warned that the failure to attend tryouts may result in that Player being placed on a lower team then had that Player attended all tryout sessions.    

Medical Absence 

Players who are unable to tryout because of health or medical reasons must notify the Tryout Director in writing at least 24 hours before tryouts begin. If a player is unable to finish tryouts, he or she must contact the appropriate coordinator and the Tryout Director immediately. 

A player must verify his or her medical problems in writing from a medical doctor. The Board may request additional documentation or proof at their sole discretion. EVHA President, EVHA Vice President, and/or the Player Development Committee will review each player’s case and decide on a placement for the player. The committee’s decision will be based on: 

1. Past abilities of the player; 
2.  Interview with past coaches; 
3. Severity of injury/sickness; 
4. The players ability to play (without medical restriction) by November 15; and 
5. An assessment as to placement that is in best interests of the Association and the player (as is the case with all players participating in the tryout process). 

PLAYER PLACEMENT 

1. A player must play at the level dictated by Minnesota Hockey guidelines. 
2. Should a player choose not to play on the “A” or “B” team for which he or she was selected, he/she must play on the lowest level team of the level at which he/she tried out.

Note: No refunds will be provided after tryouts commence.  See Refund Policy (eastviewhockey.net)