2011/2012 Minor Atom A, News, Minor Atom, 2011-2012, AA/A (North London Nationals Hockey)

Try-outs

Registered North London players with the 2002 birth year that have already been to the London Junior Knights spring tryouts are eligible to try out for the Minor Atom “seeded” league A team.  If a player is released from the A tryouts they are then eligible to tryout for the Minor Atom MD team (commonly referred to as the “B” team).  If the player is released from the MD tryouts then he/she is able to play in the North London house league program.

Players that advance through the tryout process will have their names posted on this website with further instructions regarding ice times.  Players may be released to the MD tryout process after their first ice time.  The final roster for the “A” team may be posted before, but no later than the evening of September 13.  Please refer to the tryout dates and times for both the A team and the MD team.

What to expect from the Minor Atom A team

• Fun.
• Opportunity for your player to build confidence and feel a sense of accomplishment after making a commitment to themselves and their team mates.
• A chance to be a leader and build character through travelling outside of London to play hockey and represent with pride, their North London community.
• The fulfillment of contributing to a role in a structured team setting with support, camaraderie and lasting friendships.
• Opportunity for your young player to experience the thrill of victory and accomplishment as well as the life skill of dealing with adversity.
• Players will learn and benefit from repeatedly playing in competitive, high pressure situations that will prepare them for their lives away from hockey such as school projects, writing exams and later applying for the working world.
• Your player will receive advanced instruction and education on the fundamentals of hockey and the systems that we will apply those fundamentals to.
• Ice time is distributed by the coaching staff in a fair but not equal matter after continuous evaluation of a player’s ability, and commitment to the team. 

Brief overview of financial and time commitment:

The 2011/2012 Minor Atom “A” team may carry up to 17 players on the team.  The costs associated to the team budget will be divided among the players and their families equally.

For the time being, team budget costs are approximate, and are additional to registration fees.  Costs cover items such as extra ice time, referees, clothing, and Forest City bump up fee, tournament fees, and a few other miscellaneous.  An accurate, detailed budget will be available after the team is selected.

Sept 24 - $500 cheque

Nov 2 - $400 cheque

Travel costs:  Please note that we travel for league games to Sarnia, Brantford, Kitchener, Burlington, Waterloo, Stratford, Woodstock, St. Thomas as well as other London arenas.

Tournaments

North London Early Bird  Oct. 7-9

Woodstock Silverstick  Oct. 21-23

Barrie Canadian Tire  Nov.  25-27   (overnight hotel costs additional)

Wayne Gretzky International Brantford  Dec. 27-29

Preston International  Jan.  20-22  (overnight hotel costs additional)

**Newmarket International Silverstick Jan 12-15  (overnight hotel costs additional)

** Team must win Woodstock regional Silverstick to participate in this tournament

Time Commitment

• 3 to 4 ice sessions a week, with no before school practices.
• Unless I am personally notified about a player’s absence from hockey in advance, the attendance at both games and practices should be 100%.  Playing time may be adjusted at my discretion.
• Players are expected to be at practices 30 min before ice time and 45 min before games. 
• Tournaments often require your player to miss a day of school which is usually a Friday.
• Your player should be able to put their own equipment on and parents will only be allowed in the dressing room to tighten skates.
• Fundraising events and team functions are important to the player’s social and character development.
• Parents and players are expected to use a high level of respect at all hockey functions.

Should you decide that the Minor Atom “A” Team would not be a good fit for your child, due to the level of time commitment, financial commitment, or for any other reason, please let me know before I pick the team.  Otherwise, I assume you understand the information provided.

I am looking forward to meeting you all in September.  Let your players know to have fun and play their game.  If you have any further questions about the tryouts feel free to contact me.

Shawn Van De Peer

Head Coach Minor Atom A

[email protected]