I have a question for those who have been around. If my kid goes to an "open skate" free tryout but we are not approached or called afterwards, is it worth paying for the real tryout or should we take as a cut?? Very confused.......

Sorry your kid got cut

never been to an open skate but I would think that if the coach was interested he would have contacted you by now. You could always try getting in contact with the coach but there is a good chance going to tryouts would probably be a waste of time and money

depends on organization. Lovell Knights does this because they get like 20 kids at a tryout...and take anyone who actually will try out.

that's not even true. My Son skates in the EHF but when he was switching organizations, we looked into Knights. There was no free early skate and there were 30-40 kids there. Why have to trash a program. Just move on if it wasn't a good fit for your kid

I think the opposite. At least the coach should now know your kid. They like to get as many kids to try-outs obviously ($) but they don't know how many kids will commit to them so I think it's always a fluid situation. He might be the 4th kid on his list and 7 kids might back out once they notify kids depending upon which teams they make elsewhere and which ones they prefer. I've always treated a try-out as just ice time and you figure $25 an hour or so and it's all good.

You may be right but I think the purpose of an open skate is to gauge interest and identify potential talent and to begin a dialog with those parents. No coach for any of these organizations will ever flatly tell someone not to go to tryouts cuz they want your money but if a kid shows up at open skate and a coach likes him, he's not waiting till tryouts to talk to that kid

In general, I think a kid really needs to stand out at an Open Skate for a coach to pursue his parents. Especially if there are lots of kids. That being said, the same might well be true about tryouts. Most teams know 90%+ what their roster will be before tryouts. The key is to get in early to a team practice in February and talk with the coach. To do that, kid needs to be good, needs to come recommended or at least come from another legit program. Good luck.

I think the above poster is spot on. The one other thing to add is that kids still leave programs to go to so called better ones around tryout time so it's not uncommon for unanticipated spots to become available around tryout time. While most coaches may only have 1-3 spots available at the tryout, it can become 4-5 at any moment. Even kids who sign early have left money on the table to go elsewhere, although that is rare.

Every year can be a bit different. Many excellent comments from the earlier posters. This year I have already signed one kid who came to 3 practices last month. 1 practice is not enough in my opinion. I have signed one other player who played with my squad following a nonrostered tournament. I have expressly told two parents that their kid will not make the team following one practice. Maybe this doesn't make money for the organization through tryouts but most of these parents come through recommendations and I have my credibility at stake. I have one kid who has come to two practices and his chances are not good but I have told the dad to bring him to tryouts because there is always some uncertainty completing the team.

Hey Coach - sounds like you have a weak team and your waiting for the "hail mary" kid to show up after he gets cut from an elite ehf team...

And what's wrong with that? This is not the coach BTW but we all know parents who jump ship because Johnny is too good for 3/4 of the team. Parents want winning seasons as much as the organizations do for coaches to keep their jobs. Of course Parents equate success of the teams as success in Jrs development right? We know that's not true but that is how people feel. And we as Parents backdoor coaches all the time, contacting other coaches/teams trying to get Jr on that next better team, but not letting our current coaches know we are doing it, right? He hells absolute No players No and those that are on the fence are just that. Come to tryouts, if no one better comes along I'll take you, if someone better comes along your out. You don't think any coach would no that? Parents and coaches are the same. It's the nature of the beast (ehf). Don't like it? There is always town

[ Don't like it? There is always town [/quote]

I don't like it. I respect the "Coach" post. Honest and upfront. That's how it should be. I can't figure out why parents are always looking for a better team. There's just no logic there.

If you find a good coach then stay with him. Simple

the guy who says he "left" the ehf for the Knights is funny....sorry your kid got cut. no one leaves the ehf for the knights.

Why, what is so bad about knights?

oh I know of a couple that went, because they bought the cool aid. They also tried to come back very quickly.

Sure they do. Could be cut but could be following coach or overall a better team. The EHF teams are't perfect

point is the Knights are all show and no substance. Gas money for TL's BMW. Unfortunately most programs are like this now. Caps the worst.

Lots of EHF Tier 1 teams are TERRIBLE

Blah blah blah
Same can be said for Lovells
Put your kid where he or she gets on and stop worrying about all the rest

Most kids are not elite. Go up to Toronto and your ass kicked. For every one kid here there are 5 up there. Get a grip!

Here are a few good rules of thumb:

1. Is your kid serious about hockey or just playing for fun? --The latter should lean toward town hockey

2. Does he/she have the natural talent level that could be brought out by better coaches, more training, more money, etc. in order to get him/her competitive with the best players on the top teams (EHF Elite, E9)? If not, then playing at a level of high school varsity at D1 or Prep or above (college, juniors) may not be in the cards. --Lean toward town hockey

3. Are you and your kid willing to give up other sports, other activities and savings to play on expensive club teams, summer teams, etc.? Remember, you can't have these years back. --If not, lean toward town hockey where it's more flexible


My guess is that few kids associated with parents and coaches on this board qualifies based on all three rules so I call for the elimination of Select, Tier 1, Tier 2, BHL teams and go back 10-15 years ago when only the best of the best played club hockey. Sorry team owners, sorry overachieving pushy parents, sorry future NHL coaches.......

Rule 2 is flawed. Find me a parent who doesn't see their kid with talent or the it factor.

It's very valid. You need to be honest with yourself. Only 10-20% of all kids in club hockey qualify, if it's not you then it's not, it's OK.

Try all EHF Tier 1 teams are terrible. Same with BHL and MPDHL.

Sounds like a 3rd liner elite. Most real elire appreciate their talent and are much more humble. Wait until your kid gets passed by. It happens all the time