FAQ, Georgian Bay Islanders (Georgian Bay Minor Hockey)

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General Information

  1. What are evaluation skates?
    Evaluation skates are structured sessions where players are assessed for placement on representative teams.

  2. When and where are the evaluations held?
    Evaluation dates, times, and locations will be posted on the association's website and communicated via email.  You can access them here.

  3. How do I register for evaluation skates?
    Registration must be completed online through the association’s website which will open at the beginning of April. Payment is required before participation.  You can find more information and the exact dates for registration by going here.

  4. What if I miss the registration deadline?
    Registration is allowed before or during the evaluation window for each age group.  If you fail to register during the evaluation window, then you will not be eligible to be selected for that team.

  5. Is there a cost to participate in evaluations?
    Yes, evaluation fees and a jersey fee apply.  These must be paid at the time of registration. Fees help cover ice time, evaluators, and administrative costs.  The jersey is yours to keep at the end of the evaluations.

  6. What is the refund policy for evaluations?

    Evaluation fees are fully refundable (less $5 administration fee) provided 24 hours notice is given prior to the first session for the age group that you registered for.  Jersey fees are non-refundable.

Evaluation Process

  1. How are players evaluated?
    Players are assessed based on skating, puck control, passing, shooting, game awareness, and overall hockey sense. Evaluators may include independent assessors, past coaches, and association representatives.  See Section 13 of our Rules of Operation for more details.

  2. Who are the evaluators?
    The Head Coach and a combination of independent evaluators assess players to ensure a fair and unbiased selection process.  See Section 13 of our Rules of Operation for more details.

  3. How many evaluation sessions will my child participate in?
    Players who start attending evaluations at the "A" classification are guaranteed three sessions - minimum one at the "A" classification and two at the "B" classification.

    Players who start attending evaluations at the "B" classification are guaranteed two sessions - both at the "B" classification.

    "MD" players are guaranteed two sessions - both at the "MD" classification.

  4. What happens after each evaluation session?
    After each session, players will receive an email indicating whether they have:

    • Been offered a roster spot,

    • Been invited to continue in the selection process, or

    • Been redirected to a lower classification level.

  5. Can parents watch the evaluations?
    Parents may be permitted to watch from designated areas, but they must not interfere with the process. Some sessions may have restricted areas reserved for the evaluators.

Jerseys & Equipment

  1. Will my child receive an evaluation jersey?
    Yes, each player will be assigned a jersey for the duration of the evaluation skates. This jersey is theirs to keep afterward.  In some cases, players may also receive a Pinnie for a specific session.  These must be returned at the end of that session.

  2. What equipment is required for evaluations?
    Full hockey gear is mandatory, including a helmet with a full cage, mouthguard, neck guard, shoulder pads, elbow pads, gloves, hockey pants, shin guards, skates, and a stick.

  3. Can my child wear a jersey from a previous team?
    No, players must wear the assigned evaluation jersey to ensure fair and anonymous assessments.

Selection & Team Placement

  1. How are final team selections made?
    The head coach makes final decisions, provided they align with the general consensus of the independent evaluators.  See Section 13 of our Rules of Operation for more details.

  2. What if my child is not selected for the team they tried out for?
    Players not selected will be redirected to the appropriate classification level within the association, where they will still have a great opportunity to develop their skills.

  3. Can my child request to be placed on a different team?
    No, team placements are final. However, if a player believes there were extenuating circumstances, they may contact the association for clarification.

  4. When will final rosters be announced?
    Final team selections must occur by the end of the evaluation window for the given team. 

Attendance

  1. What happens if my child cannot attend one of the evaluation skates?
    Players are strongly encouraged to attend all scheduled player evaluation sessions for their age group to ensure full consideration for selection.   Attending all sessions allows the Head Coach and the Evaluation Panel to accurately assess the player’s abilities.  Missing any sessions could hinder the ability of the Head Coach or Evaluation Panel to make an informed assessment, potentially impacting the player's eligibility for selection.

    If a player is attending evaluation skates at a neighbouring centre and the dates or times conflict, they should notify the Registrar and/or Head Coach in advance.

    To be considered for selection, players must attend at least one evaluation session.

  2.  What if my child is unable to attend all of the evaluation skates?
    In exceptional circumstances (e.g., medical reasons, injury, family illness or death), players may be excused from attending evaluations altogether.  Prior written notice must be provided to the Head Coach and Jr/Sr Hockey Director before player evaluations begin. In such cases, a player will still be considered for the team even though they were unable to attend evaluations.  Their evaluation may be based on the previous season or they may be granted a special evaluation once they are able to return to the ice which will be overseen by the Player Selection Committee.  This will be determined on a case-by-case basis by the GBMHA Board of Directors.

Underage Players

  1. Can players tryout for an older age group?

    A player seeking Exceptional Player Status must submit a request in writing via email to the association registrar requesting permission to attend the older age evaluations.

    All written requests will be considered by the Player Selection Committee. To ensure a comprehensive assessment, the committee will gather the following:

    • Previous season statistics and performance data.

    • Feedback from the player’s current coach regarding skill level, hockey sense, and attitude.

    • Video footage from the previous season, if available.

    If time permits, the committee may also attend one or more games or practices to observe the player in action.

    Before the start of player evaluations, the committee will assess whether the player has a reasonable chance of earning Exceptional Player Status. They will communicate this decision to both the head coach of the higher age group and the requesting player. This does not guarantee status but allows the player to attend evaluations for the higher age group instead of their own.

  2. What is the evaluation process for Players who have been granted permission to tryout for an older age group?

    A player may be granted Exceptional Player Status to play at a higher age group if they meet the required evaluation criteria and satisfy specific eligibility conditions.

    A player must be assessed as follows:

    · Skaters – Must be ranked among the top five skaters in the higher age group.

     · Goalies – Must be evaluated as the clear top goalie in the higher age group.

     Exceptional Player Status will only be considered if all of the following conditions are met:

    · Viability of the Lower-Age Team – The player’s age-group team must have enough players or goalies to remain viable without their participation.

     · Safety Considerations – There must be no concerns regarding the player's size, physical maturity, or potential safety risks related to the physicality of contact hockey at the higher level.

     · Excess Goalies in the Higher Age Group (Goalies Only) – The total number of goalies across GBMHA, MMHA, and PMHA must not exceed the projected number of available goalie spots in the higher age group, ensuring no goalie is left without a position in their home association.

     Exceptional Player Status is only available for primary representative teams at the “A” or “MD” levels. Secondary representative players and local league players must remain in their age group but may affiliate ("AP") with a higher-level team.

     The Player Selection Committee will review:

    · Rankings and evaluations from the evaluation panel for the age group

     · Rankings and evaluations from the head coach for the age group

     · Information previously obtained during the pre-evaluation assessment process

     If the Player Selection Committee agrees that the player has met the evaluation criteria listed above, they will recommend to the Board of Directors that the player is granted Exceptional Player Status.  The Board of Directors holds the final authority on all Exceptional Player Status requests.  A majority vote of the Board of Directors is required to approve the recommendation.  Decisions are final and cannot be appealed.

General Information

  1. Who can I contact if I have additional questions?
    You can reach out to the [email protected] or visit the website for more details.

 

The full Player Selection Policy can be viewed here.