SVYH Hockey will continue to field competitive teams at the 18U, 14U, 19U Girls, 14U Girls, and 12U levels that will participate in tournaments throughout the Intermountain area, State and possibly regional tournaments. We will continue to offer similar opportunities at the 10U Level and focus on development, skating and love of the sport at the 8U and 6U levels.

Hello Sun Valley Youth Hockey Families:

As you may know, Sun Valley Youth Hockey has seen amazing growth over the last few years. Given our numbers, experience ranges within age groups, and to better align with USA Hockey’s ADM model, SVYH will be conducting evaluations to place players on the team best suited to their development for the upcoming season.  These evaluations will occur for age groups between 12U* and High School/19UGirls* that have enough players for multiple teams.

The word evaluation often causes anxiety for both players and parents. Unfortunately, neither SVYH nor Overspeed can eliminate the feelings that often accompany trying to be selected for a particular team. However, everyone can manage the process to reduce stress on players and make this experience about learning and growth instead about success and failure. Below are a few things to remember before, during, and after evaluations as well as details about the process, and the schedule.

Recommendations

§  Understand that these sessions are opportunities for evaluators to try and place each player on the team that will maximize that player’s development for the upcoming season.

§  Talk about evaluations as little as possible with your player. Have one conversation with how it will work and how your player should do his/her best.

§  Ensure that your player is well-rested, fed, and hydrated during evaluations.

§  Have your player arrive early enough to the rink to warm up and be ready to hit the ice when each session begins.

§  If your player is disappointed with the results, use it as a growth opportunity rather than a negative experience about your player, the process, or other players.

The Process

§  Coaches and members of Overspeed will evaluate players at each session. (Teams are not pre-selected)

§  Please have your player attend all of the evaluation sessions if possible.  That being said, if a player is unable to attend all of the evaluation sessions (due to a school trip or other unavoidable conflicts) coaches and evaluators will make every effort  to ensure that each player is placed on the appropriate team through evaluations during the first week of practice. This may mean that players who had excusable absences have a change in their team assignments after practices begin.

§  Players will be evaluated on skating, stick handling, hockey sense, coachability, and attitude. Poor behavior on and/or off the ice can impact a player’s evaluation.

§  Coaches will notify families of player placement by email within a week of the conclusion of evaluations.

Schedule for Evaluations for 2023-24 Season

·      Evaluation sessions will start on Sunday, September 17, 2023. This schedule was made when all schools are in session and in the valley. The schedule is below:

September 17:

12U:  3:00-4:00

14U:  4:15-5:15

18U/High School:  5:30-6:30 

September 18th

12U: 5:00-6:00

14U:  6:15-7:15

18U: 7:30-8:30

September 21st:

12U: 5:00-6:00

14U:  6:15-7:15

18U: 7:30-8:30

Thank you and if you have any questions please contact Chad O’Brien or Nancy Fenn.

*12U Girls, 14U Girls, and 19U Girls will not have any evaluation sessions this season as there are not enough registered players to field two teams for any of these divisions.