Hello Richmond Hill Hockey 2015 Parents,
I am very excited to provide you with a quick update regarding the upcoming Tryouts and our U9 MD Program.
The U9 MD Program:
U9 is our children’s last year of hockey before they are able to start playing Rep hockey (i.e., AAA, AA, A). As such, we recognize that it is a critical year in our children’s hockey development and journey! To give them the best possible opportunity to earn a spot on a Rep hockey team next year and beyond, we believe that U9 MD is the optimal place for them to develop and play in 2023-24. In essence, U9 MD is a direct pathway to Rep hockey - not only to participate but also to excel at that level. The 2022-23 U9 MD Program was hugely successful in developing players who earned spots on AAA and AA teams in 2023-24. Our goal is to replicate this success, and we believe we have the personnel, program and philosophy in place to achieve this goal. In addition to myself as Head Coach, we have secured an excellent staff consisting of an elite Development/Skills Coach, Goalie Coach, Manager and Trainer.
In terms of time commitment, we will have two (2) practices per week of 90 minutes each plus one (1) or two (2) games per week against other OMHA teams (e.g., Aurora, Markham, Newmarket, Barrie, etc.). Games will be half-ice until January and then full ice for the rest of the season. We believe in half-ice hockey for development purposes. For more on the benefits of half-ice hockey, please see the following: https://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/hockey-programs/coaching/under-9/parents/benefits-half-ice.
We will also be playing in three (3) tournaments (two (2) local, one (1) in Kingston). As noted, we will be placing significant emphasis on our children’s hockey development but also ensuring that they have a ton of fun, make friends and create cherished, lifelong memories!
The cost to run this program will be more than House League but in line with other similar Rep hockey programs. We are still working through the budget and will have more clarity soon. This is Not-For-Profit hockey and every dollar of team fees will be spent directly on your children in the form of ice time, skill development, home and away jerseys, Jaguars apparel, etc. If there is any money remaining in the budget at the end of the season, it will be returned to each family. My daughter played U8 MD last year and I can honestly say the experience was worth every penny and then some!
Tryout Schedule:
There will be three (3) Tryouts as follows:
1) Wed., Sept. 13, 2023, 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm @ Elvis Stoyko Arena
2) Fri., Sept. 15, 2023, 5:15 pm – 6:45 pm @ Tom Graham Arena (East)
3) Sun., Sept. 17, 2023, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm @ Elgin Barrow Arena (East)
Please arrive about 30-45 minutes prior to the scheduled Tryout time.
Tryout Registration and Cost:
The cost for each Tryout will be $30 (Please pay in cash at the Arena – we will not accept any other form of payment).
To register for Tryouts, please visit the Richmond Hill Hockey website: https://richmondhillhockey.com/Articles/21320/U9_MD_TRYOUTS/.
Pre-Tryout Skates:
You saw my earlier emails regarding the Pre-Tryout Skates on September 6, 8, 9 and 10. These Skates are NOT Tryouts, and you don’t have to register for Tryouts in order to attend. Every child is more than welcome to attend and have some fun on the ice!
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at
[email protected].
I look forward to meeting you very soon.
Darren Desrosiers (Head Coach, 2023-24 Richmond Hill Jaguars U9 MD Team)