The new and improved (?) NDP tryouts

hockeywild7 · Post by **hockeywild7** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 9:59 am

Hockeyon there are 4 tryout days not 2 and players are allowed to miss one from what I hear. I have only seen maybe one or two missing from each session. The Roseville girl who unfortunately broke her finger is most likely done as she was only able to make the first day. Alot of these players are making sacrifices to tryout so I think it is very reasonable to allow them to be gone one day. Maybe if more players knew this a few more would tryout. Many of these girls have to work around other spring sports, jobs, school work and spring breaks.

hockeyheaven · Post by **hockeyheaven** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 10:39 am

I guess I don't understand the confusion here. There are a lot of hockey opportunities available here in Minnesota. Spring leagues, AAA tournaments, training camps, etc. The advanced National Development program has a specific purpose. To identify those players who have the potential to play for the Olympic team (to quote Ron Burgundy “How should I put this, it’s kind of a big deal”). The whole process is set up like a funnel and only around 5% make it to the end. It's only natural then that the further you get into it, the less participation you will experience. The writing on the wall, most definitely becomes clearer. As far as commitment the expectation should be zero tolerance. You miss an event (tryout, practice, game) you should be scratched. This is a tryout format and there are more participants then spots, so if you don't want to take this (immeasurable) opportunity serious then don’t waste your time and money (or others for that matter). IMO only the truly committed players should be considered anyway.

54fighting · Post by **54fighting** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 10:48 am

There were only two (2hr) tryouts for the section 7a/aa team up in Duluth. I noticed a number of girls that made the 2nd day tryout but were not at the first. Not sure a player should be selected if she was only at one of the days. That would mean she missed half of the tryout.

Central · Post by **Central** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 10:56 am

Where are there four try out days? Do different sections complete the process differently?

For example, section 6 had two sessions yesterday and one session today.

I would agree that participants should be at all sessions. It is a TRY-OUT and I would guess that the evaluators are looking at different aspects of the athletes' skill set at each session.

There is a perception out there that the teams are already determined which may be impacting some participation. I am not saying that is accurate but the perception is out there.

hockeywild7 · Post by **hockeywild7** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 11:06 am

The problem is so much misinformation and people assuming or guessing at what is going on without really knowing. But that is parents in a nutshell in my opinion.

hockeyheaven · Post by **hockeyheaven** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 11:31 am

Miscommunication? They post a flyer with all the information, and phone numbers for those who are still confused. Personal responsibility, that's the real problem. No one wants to take it. And yes...for the most part the teams are picked. Let me tell you a little secret... this has been going on since the beginning of time. There’s not a team of any kind that isn’t formed following this process. Don't fool yourself. Tryouts are not about the top half they are about the bottom half. .Do coaches, evaluators have a predetermined opinion, absolutely (it’s only human nature). It's your responsibility (as players) to change their minds.

Central · Post by **Central** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 11:32 am

Please provide us further insight into the process as there is interest.

Clearly there are differences in how each section is doing the process at this point~with 6 going with three sessions, you mention 4 sessions and another poster mentioned 2 sessions in Duluth.

It sounds like you have more information so you could clear up some of the misinformation or misperceptions, if you would share more specifics.

Thanks.

joehockey · Post by **joehockey** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 11:54 am

Central wrote:Where are there four try out days? Do different sections complete the process differently?

For example, section 6 had two sessions yesterday and one session today.

I would agree that participants should be at all sessions. It is a TRY-OUT and I would guess that the evaluators are looking at different aspects of the athletes' skill set at each session.

There is a perception out there that the teams are already determined which may be impacting some participation. I am not saying that is accurate but the perception is out there.

Section 4 for '91 and '92 had 4.5 hours - three one hour sessions and today a 1.5 hour session. I think the process on the Minn Hockey flyer said they would be 4.5 hour evaluations.

hockeyrube7 · Post by **hockeyrube7** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 12:07 pm

hockeywild7 wrote:Hockeyon there are 4 tryout days not 2 and players are allowed to miss one from what I hear. I have only seen maybe one or two missing from each session. The Roseville girl who unfortunately broke her finger is most likely done as she was only able to make the first day. Alot of these players are making sacrifices to tryout so I think it is very reasonable to allow them to be gone one day. Maybe if more players knew this a few more would tryout. Many of these girls have to work around other spring sports, jobs, school work and spring breaks.

I don't believe this is true in all sections. I heard some only have 2 days of try outs while others have 3 and some wth 4. Seems like no consistancy between the sections. So this bring to question, if you are at a two ice time try out, and a kid shows up one day only, should they be allowed to move forward?

hockeyrube7 · Post by **hockeyrube7** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 12:10 pm

hockeyheaven wrote:Miscommunication? They post a flyer with all the information, and phone numbers for those who are still confused. Personal responsibility, that's the real problem. No one wants to take it. And yes...for the most part the teams are picked. Let me tell you a little secret... this has been going on since the beginning of time. There’s not a team of any kind that isn’t formed following this process. Don't fool yourself. Tryouts are not about the top half they are about the bottom half. .Do coaches, evaluators have a predetermined opinion, absolutely (it’s only human nature). It's your responsibility (as players) to change their minds.

Well stated hockeyheaven!

hockeywild7 · Post by **hockeywild7** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 12:51 pm

hockeyrube my comments are only about section 4, I have no idea what the other sections are doing. I was responding to a question about what section 4 tryouts are doing. In my opinion it should be made clear before players sign up what the expectations are. As I stated before, I am only referring my comments to section 4 and how they are being run. Don't take my comments to be universal to all sections as that is not the case.
And no I don't believe in the dirty little secret but thats just me. I can see why so much confusion gets passed around. The same thing happens on these websites that goes on in arenas.

Central · Post by **Central** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 1:35 pm

4.5 hours of evaluation makes sense in that each section would then have to figure out how they are going to fit that with arena schedules and availability of evaluators and such. Thanks.

mnb327 · Post by **mnb327** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 1:35 pm

Anything else that parents chose to do besides USA Hockey/Mn Hockey 15/16 and 17's is pay to play hockey call it AAA whatever it is pay to play without tryouts and someone telling them they think their players not proving they are players.

If your serious about your game and exposure and development you get to the rink in section and tryout.

Enough information was put out, yes all sections can do tryouts differently, look at travel issues, spring break etc.

hockeyrube7 · Post by **hockeyrube7** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 2:10 pm

hockeyrube7 wrote:
hockeywild7 wrote:Hockeyon there are 4 tryout days not 2 and players are allowed to miss one from what I hear. I have only seen maybe one or two missing from each session. The Roseville girl who unfortunately broke her finger is most likely done as she was only able to make the first day. Alot of these players are making sacrifices to tryout so I think it is very reasonable to allow them to be gone one day. Maybe if more players knew this a few more would tryout. Many of these girls have to work around other spring sports, jobs, school work and spring breaks.
I don't believe this is true in all sections. I heard some only have 2 days of try outs while others have 3 and some wth 4. Seems like no consistancy between the sections. So this bring to question, if you are at a two ice time try out, and a kid shows up one day only, should they be allowed to move forward?

I see, my missunderstanding.

MNHockeyFan · Post by **MNHockeyFan** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 5:23 pm

mnb327 wrote:Enough information was put out, yes all sections can do tryouts differently, look at travel issues, spring break etc.

My only issue with the process is that they didn't give enough lead time in identifying the dates the tryouts would be held. I see no reason why they can't make it public well in advance (at least 90 days) which weekends the various phases will be. This would allow families time to better plan their spring vacations. If anyone has flown lately they know how packed the planes are, and changing reservations around becomes almost impossible or at a minimum very expensive. There are also many kids who need to take their ACT/SAT tests, and ideally you don't want a two hour tryout right after grinding out a four hour exam.

Getting the ice times this time of year shouldn't be a problem, so they could at least identify what weekends they'll be held way ahead of time. Don't need any more details about the process or the locations, just which days.

greybeard58 · Post by **greybeard58** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 7:06 pm

The brochure came out around the 20th of Jan 08 for both adv15,16,17, in the calender in the Mn hockey handbook for the Phase I -16 and 17 says March 2008, the brochure states the dates March 17- April 2. The advanced 15 programs do not start until after the Mn Hockey state tournaments.The handbook was available in September of 07 and on line also.

joehockey · Post by **joehockey** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 7:25 pm

So I understand some of the '93 District teams, and the '91 and '92 Sectional teams have been named does anyone have who made them?

northshore guy · Post by **northshore guy** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 8:53 pm

section 2 had 3- 1.5 hour sessions at each age level, practices will be the same

rosters will be on Minnesotahockey.org in the next few days

GM's need to get names from coaches to the 16/17 director to be posted online
just check there form time to time over the next couple days

MNHockeyFan · Post by **MNHockeyFan** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 9:51 pm

greybeard58 wrote:The brochure came out around the 20th of Jan 08 for both adv15,16,17, in the calender in the Mn hockey handbook for the Phase I -16 and 17 says March 2008, the brochure states the dates March 17- April 2. The advanced 15 programs do not start until after the Mn Hockey state tournaments.The handbook was available in September of 07 and on line also.

"March 2008" or even "March 17-April 2" are not very specific, especially when Phase 1 is just two days. They should be able to pinpoint which weekend it would be, just like they were able to do for the Phase 2 Festival.

Central · Post by **Central** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 10:05 pm

I certainly can see why people are on their Spring vacations because a lot of people set their travel plans back in Fall and roll the dice on the skate dates or even if they wait and see the three week timeframe.

As hard it is to believe to us hockey junkies, there is life out of arenas.

greybeard58 · Post by **greybeard58** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 10:52 pm

Mn Hockey fan in September the month is given and then in January it is narrowed to a 2 week time frame as to when to start and when you have to be finished with team selection. Also in the brochure was the following information: As you can see it is by High school Hockey sections.

MN Advanced 16 Personnel (Contact for more information)
Director Tom Peart 763-442-6465
Age-Level Director Shawna Davidson 218-310-2131
Coaches USA Hockey will select coaches for National team
Contact MN Advanced 16 Section Gen. Mgrs.
Sections 1A, 1AA Jeremy Gunderson 507-633-2643
Sections 2A, 2AA Dereck Grosskurth 952-403-9692
Sections 3A, 3AA Maureen Hardwick 651-491-2907
Sections 4A, 4AA Jon Anderson 651-245-5252
Sections 5A, 5AA Tom Maeckelbergh 763-213-1037
Sections 6A, 6AA Chris Peterson 612-385-7061
Sections 7A, 7AA Duane Northagen 218-263-4368
Sections 8A, 8AA Stephanie Sustercich 218-828-4764

MN Advanced 17 Personnel (contact for more information)
Director Tom Peart 763-442-6465
Age-Level Director Joni Bonnell 612-718-9793
Coaches USA Hockey will select coaches for National team
Contact MN Advanced 17 Section Gen. Mgrs.
Sections 1A, 1AA Jeremy Gunderson 507-633-2643
Sections 2A, 2AA Dereck Grosskurth 952-403-9692
Sections 3A, 3AA Maureen Hardwick 651-491-2907
Sections 4A, 4AA Jon Anderson 651-245-5252
Sections 5A, 5AA Tom Maeckelbergh 763-213-1037
Sections 6A, 6AA Chris Peterson 612-385-7061
Sections 7A, 7AA Glen Gildermann 218-624-4017
Sections 8A, 8AA Stephanie Sustercich 218-828-4764
Names and telephone numbers for a parent or player to call.
Each section might have different days because of travel and high school spring sports. All the information is out there if a person would look and read. If there were problems with communication with the above persons then the Mn Hockey Hockey Ops V.P. should be contacted

If you have a way to make it work better I am sure if you contact the Directors listed above.

hockeytribe · Post by **hockeytribe** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 4:21 am

a little defensive, aren't we?

keepitreal · Post by **keepitreal** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 8:23 am

I'm sure the complaint most frequently heard at the rinks is nailing P1 down to a particular weekend well in advance. Hopefully the organizers understand this. I do think we need to cut them some slack as this was the first year and there was undoubtedly a lot of scrambling to line up facilities and staff.

Rentley · Post by **Rentley** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 10:14 am

Food for thought.....I was able to watch all of the section 5 tryouts for both ages. Well organized, with approximately 35 girls per age group, including goalies. Three 1.5 hour sessions with about 45 minutes of drills in the first session, culminating with scrimmaging for the remainder of the first session, and all of the next 2 sessions. The level of play seemed to be competitive, although the talent discrepency was very evident at both ages.

The only negative that I heard was people were asking for specific times for phase 3 due to their respective schools prom's, ACT tests, and the administrator was not able to provide the information. (I guess there is life away from hockey

) Overall, this section was run very well.

Whatthe · Post by **Whatthe** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 10:41 am

Anyone hear what the plan is for sections that can't field enough nominations/kids to fill a 20-player competitive team?