If your son or daughter wants to play at their highest level next season they must demonstrate specific skills, desire and determination at their next tryout camp and leave a lasting impression for both the selection committee members and coaches.

Following are some areas that coaches will deem very important when choosing players at their Spring or Fall tryout camp:

• Skating skills and speed
• Conditioning
• Size and aggressiveness
• Shooting velocity and accuracy
• Scoring skills and willingness to go to the net
• Passing and creativity with the puck
• Puck handling and stick handling skills
• Positional play, both offensively and defensively
• Checking skills and finishing the check if allowed in your age group
• Knowing how to prevent goals and how to play without the puck
• Forechecking and Backchecking assignments
• Working hard at both ends of the ice on every shift

If your son or daughter demonstrates these skills along with sound team play and hockey intelligence they will make a positive impression and have a good chance of making the team.

Additional Tips for Parents:

• Offer encouragement and always be supportive of your child no matter what happens.
• Players must come to camp in top physical shape – if you look slow or tired it’s not good.
• Parents relax and enjoy the experience as it is out of your control as to who makes the team.
• Read the “Hockey Made Easy” Instructional Manual with your child to increase their understanding of the basic hockey concepts and skills
  required to make the team.

John Shorey

Author – “Hockey Made Easy”

www.hockeymadeeasy.com