Halton Hills Minor Hockey Player Evaluation Process
Please note that the below information is subject to change without notice and may be revised up to and during the 2025 evaluations. Any changes will be revised on this form.
HHMH OPEN BORDER POLICY
Those who reside under the OHF are welcome to participate in the AA, A, B, BB Tryouts.
Tryouts (U10 -U18) are open to all registered Ontario Hockey Federation (OHF) players. Player residency and eligibility must comply with OHF guidelines, policies, and rules.
MD (U7-U9) Evaluations (tryouts) are open to all registered Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA) players.
Players are to purchase a tryout card prior to the start of the tryouts. **All tryout cards will be purchased through the Hockey Canada Registration (HCR) system. All players must be a member in good standing with Halton Hills Minor Hockey to participate in the tryouts.
When purchasing the player tryout/evaluation cards, players will have the option to select the division/divisions they intend to tryout for, which includes: Players can select the division they wish to tryout out for. AA, A, B, BB, MD, Advanced League (Adv. L)
APRIL 2025 TRYOUTS/EVALUATIONS:
· U8MD Tier 1/Tier 2, U9 Tier 1/Tier 2/Tier 3 (Evaluations)
· U10 to U18 AA, A, B, BB
· U11, U12, U13, U14, U16,
SEPTEMBER 2025 EVALUATIONS:
· U7MD Tier 1, U7MD Tier 2, U18 Advanced League, and U21 Rep Team
U8MD, U9MD Evaluations – Players can select the tier they wish to attend Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3.
U10 - U18 Players who have missed a tryout can enter the tryout at any time during the duration of the evaluation period (both skill and exhibition games). This applies for all AA, A, B, BB divisions.
If the tryout is an exhibition game, the player is responsible to advise the Head Coach via email.
Players who enter an evaluation after the initial start date: Once the player has entered the tryouts, they will be assessed based on their performance and skills, and will have the same opportunity to make the team as players who started at the beginning.
Advanced League: Players who meet the eligibility criteria are requested to start at the beginning of the tryouts.
Roles of Head Coaches and Independent Evaluators
Head Coaches: The head coach of each team will be directly involved in the selection process of players for their respective team. The Head Coach will make the final decisions for the team selections.
Independent Evaluators: Independent evaluators will also assist in the player selection process. These evaluators are responsible for observing players during the tryouts and providing their assessments based on specific criteria. Evaluators must not be a family member in the age group they are evaluating. This ensures fairness and impartiality in the selection process in the age group they are assessing. Evaluators will provide feedback and rankings to assist the head coach in finalizing the team roster.
Selection Process
Player Selection - Players will be assessed on skills, game sense, work ethic, attitude and other relevant attributes during the tryout sessions. The independent evaluators will help support the head coach during the tryouts with an impartial evaluation of the players. **It is important to recognize that certain components of player selection fall outside the scope of what an independent evaluator can provide support for.
Although there will be evaluations of players during the tryouts, open borders has created new challenges for Minor Hockey Associations in maintaining competitive and fulfilling roster numbers, Head Coaches reserve the right to select a player or goalie on the first day of tryouts without the player or goalie having attended a tryout.
Evaluations
Players will be able to request a copy of their evaluation.
All requests for player evaluations must be made in writing via email to the Head Coach of the division. Requests must be made 24 hours after the final tryout for the player and must be made within 7 days of the player’s final tryout. Coaches will respond no later than 2 to 3 days of the request.
Players who are unable to be evaluated
Players who are unable to attend tryouts due to physical reasons must provide a doctor's note to the Head Coach.
The Head Coach will determine if the player may still be considered for selection to a team based on their known abilities and prior performance, even though they did not attend the evaluations.
The Selection and Releasing process during Tryouts
All players that have purchased an evaluation card will receive a tryout tracking number via email prior to tryouts that will be listed on the HHMH website under the division in which the player is trying out for.
It will be important for players to check this system following each tryout. Coaches will use this system to communicate with players by either releasing or selecting players, as well, updating player line ups for exhibition games and any other important information players may need to know.
What the Tryout Tracking system will show: "released" or "pending"
PLAYERS WILL NOT RECEIVE AN Offer through this system. Players will receive an offer via a registration link.
Players may recieve an offer by the head coach either the start day of the tryouts (i.e., April 26th U10AA to U13AA and April 28th U14AA to U18AA) without stepping on the ice, or may be offered a spot immediately following the first tryout session and throughout the duration of the tryout period.
Offer of Position
If a player is selected by the head coach, the player will be notified and offered a position on the team and if the offer is accepted the player will be expected to sign an offer of commitment.
- The player who has been offered a spot on the team has 24 hours from the time of the offer to respond to the head coach, confirming whether they accept or decline the position on the team.
- If a player/goalie chooses to wait the 24hours, the coach reserves the right to rescind the offer within the 24 hour window.
- If the player does not respond within the 24-hour window, the head coach reserves the right to revoke the offer and select another player for the position.
We encourage all players and parents to be prompt in their responses, as timely communication helps facilitate the selection process for all involved. Our goal is to ensure a positive and efficient experience for all players during tryouts, and we appreciate your cooperation in adhering to this policy.
Code of Conduct
Halton Hills Minor Hockey is committed to fostering a respectful, positive, and supportive environment for all players, parents, coaches, and executives during the tryout process. As part of this commitment, all individuals involved in the tryouts must adhere to the OMHA (Ontario Minor Hockey Association) and HHMH (Halton Hills Minor Hockey) Code of Conduct.
Expectations for Behavior
- Respectful Conduct: All players, parents, coaches, and executives are expected to demonstrate respect, sportsmanship, and professionalism throughout the tryout process. This includes respectful communication with all involved and following the direction of coaches and evaluators.
- Adherence to Policies: Participants must adhere to the OMHA and HHMH codes of conduct, which outline appropriate behavior and actions expected from everyone involved in the process. This includes following all guidelines regarding on-ice and off-ice behavior, communication, and the treatment of others.
- Failure to Comply: Any failure to comply with the OMHA or HHMH code of conduct during the tryouts will result in consequences. Specifically, any player, parent, who violates the code of conduct may have the player's eligibility to continue in the evaluation process revoked. The head coach, in consultation with the executive, will make the determination in such cases.
Halton Hills Minor Hockey takes violations of the code of conduct seriously, as we are dedicated to ensuring that all participants in the tryout process are given an equal opportunity to succeed in a positive and supportive environment.
For more information on player movement within the OHF, visit: OHF Player Movement, on the OHF website.