Welcome to the U18 BB tryouts for the upcoming 2024-25 season! Below is a list of our team tryout dates, tryout format, and season outline. We will be utilizing independent evaluators to assist in our selection process for this team again this season. This helps us ensure that anyone attending these tryouts will have a fair and equal opportunity of making this team.
1. Tuesday April 23rd 8pm Skills Session
2. Thursday April 25th 830pm Intrasquad Game
1st cut will take place following Intrasquad Game
3. Exhibition Game vs Hamilton Hawks 8pm (Continuing players only)
4. Exhibition Game vs Hamilton Hawks 1pm (Continuing players only)
Final Team selection will be made after 2nd Exhibition game against Hamilton.
The 2 main things coaches and evaluators are looking for during the tryout process:
1. HARDWORK - work hard in all 3 zones on the ice, forechecking, backchecking, and most importantly not giving up on pucks.
2. ABILITY TO BE A GOOD TEAMMATE - moving the puck to open players, taking proper shift lengths, playing your position, positivity, and coachability.
What you can expect if you are selected for the 2024-25 U18 BB Brantford Ice Cats:
We will have approximately 1-2 practices per week starting in September with at least 1-2 games per week. We will also be running the following as part of our season plan putting a big focus on player development:
1. Summer Strength/Conditioning Program - Fitness Testing in May and will run from June to September
2. Summer On-Ice Skills Sessions - starting in June running till September approx 3 times per month
3. 5 tournaments during course of season - 2-3 travel tournaments and 2 local tournaments
4. Player Performance Evaluations and Improvements plans directly from coaches
5. High Intensity practices focused on skill development, team system development, team strategy, game situation drills, and conditioning.
6. Multiple Team Events over the season to encourage team bonding, getting to know each other, and teambuilding
7. Team Video Meetings and analysis
8. Community Volunteering and fundraising
9. Goalie Coaching and Development
10. Players Individual Skill Development
Coaches Expectations:
1. Work Hard in all Team Events (dryland, practices, games)
2. Be a good teammate (Be positive, Be encouraging, Be Accountable)
3. Be open minded to trying new things to develop your skills and your hockey sense
4. Have FUN (hockey is a game, games are meant to be FUN!)
If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to me directly at [email protected] and I look forward to seeing you at the rink!
Brad Dunlop
Head Coach
U18BB Brantford Ice Cats