WHAT IS THE GOOD SHEPHERD EVALUATION PHILOSOPHY?
To evaluate and place players in a team environment where they will be challenged, build self-confidence, develop core skills, and increase their enjoyment of the sport.
· To build teams with players of similar skill sets, and game comprehension, in order to be competitive within the Edmonton Minor Hockey League (E.M.H.A.) tiering system.
· As players at a similar level grow together and improve their skill sets at a similar pace, we believe it is detrimental to under tier as much as it is to over tier a player.
· We understand that a returning, second year player will have a better comprehension of the game, rules, and team play. Statistically, they will be physically more developed, and will get the nod to play at a higher level than a first year player if evaluation scores are comparable. This philosophy applies for Novice players through to Pee Wee.
· Players are not trying out for teams but rather being evaluated, and matched to a level of hockey that is best suited for their determined ability. Players wishing to try out for teams should be directed to the KC Rep program.
WHY DO WE EVALUATE THE PLAYERS?
· KC Good Shepherd Hockey operates under the Knights Of Columbus Hockey Organization. We are one of five feeder Parishes, which registers players with the E.M.H.A., within the B program. We are a community based hockey program, for players 4 to 12 years old, Timbits thru to Peewee.
· Parish programs are community based, giving players an introduction into hockey, and a place to practice and play, generally in their area of the city.
· In order to have balance, and in the spirit of competition, E.M.H.A. has divisions (tiers) for each level of similarly skilled teams. Once set, they are adjusted twice through out the season in order to keep the divisions competitive.
· Players registered with Good Shepherd Hockey will be placed accordingly to where a team will seed within the E.M.H.A. tiring system. Good Shepherd teams are usually seeded from tier 3 and down. Players wishing to play at a higher level may try out with the parent KC Club as a “rep’ player” and will compete for a spot. Players not making a rep team will be returned to the Parish program and placed accordingly to their established skill set.
· Good Shepherd Hockey believes in hockey development as laid out in Hockey Canada and Hockey Alberta guidelines, with a strong focus on core skills. With this in mind, it is important to group like players together to compete at a division with teams of a similar ability.
· In order to achieve this, each year we must “evaluate” the players that have registered with us before the E.M.H.A. season begins.
WHAT IS THE EVALUATION PROCESS?
· Each year the Category directors are in charge of dividing up the players in their respective category (i.e. Novice), into teams and recommending a tier to which that team should be playing at within the E.M.H.A. tiering.
· The first component of the process is to evaluate the players on the core skill of skating. This is done through a series of predetermined timed drills, with, and without a puck. The timed sessions are used to divide the players into base groups of similar results. A second component of the evaluation is organized scrimmaged games to evaluate each player’s core skills, hockey sense, and proficiency in a game setting.
· The results of the evaluation process are used by the Category Director to divide players into teams and suggested tier levels, and submitted to the Good Shepherd Hockey Operations Director for approval.
HOW ARE TEAMS FORMED?
· Each Category director is in charge of dividing the registered players into teams for their respective categories. Factors such as the number of players per category, and evaluation grouping, will affect how many players are assigned to each team. The goal is to place the player on the best team to maximize their abilities, and growth opportunities.
· The Category Director, with approval from Hockey Operations, will have the final say on evaluation scores, and interpretations of scores.
· Players wishing to play with friends may request to do so, and will be granted at the discretion of the Category Director, with the approval of the Director of Hockey Operations. Players may not be moved to a higher tier in order to play with friends, but a player can play down if there is a suitable replacement for that player, or teams have enough room to accommodate the move.
· Players wishing to play underage/overage in order to play with siblings or friends will not be considered. Good Shepherd Hockey will not grant underage applications except for underage Novice (Timbit players that demonstrate a high level of skill and comprehension). Underage Novice applications need the approval of the Category Director, the Director of Hockey Operations, the Parish Manager, and then must be submitted to the E.M.H.A. for final approval. Players wishing to play underage should be directed to their appropriate Rep program within KC.
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