Thanks to our membership for being so engaged in the Tryout Process. Despite anything brought to the attention or communicated to us we truly believe it comes from a good place and a sincere desire to make CMHA better.

Here are some FAQs related to Tryouts we've received. Please note that any comments or recommendations related to tryouts, please email:

ombudsperson@chebuctominorhockey.com

CMHA Tryout Committee

Some FAQs

Q - Have you landed on the schedule for the rest of evaluations?

A - Yes. As typical in past years, the evaluation schedule may be tweaked as decisions are made and further evaluation becomes low value toward decision making, or players return from tryouts elsewhere ( Major Bantam, High School, etc..).  This determination is made by the Technical Director and the Tryout Committee.

Q -  I read the process and had a few questions, wasn’t sure who else to ask.

A – For process questions please reach out to Paul Hunt – Technical Director

Q - Who is using the evaluation scores to decide on where a player sits?

A – All evaluation scores are thoroughly considered by the Tryout Committee for team placement and early assigned Non-Parent Coach volunteers if applicable, e.g. U13AAA.

If identified, the coaching staff will be used in evaluation (scoring). In these cases all scoring and placement is reviewed by the Tryout Committee  and specifically by the Technical Director, VP Competitive. 

This year the tryout committee as voted on by the board and as per our constitution is:

• Board Members ( at least 3)
• Technical Director - Paul Hunt
• VP Competitive – Morgan Burke
• VP Development – Charlotte Peladeau
• Independent Evaluator ( at least 1)
• Craig Messervy – Executive - VP
• Ombudsman
• Jay Mackenzie – VP U7

Q -  Was the try out process approved by the board?

A – It was reviewed secretarially/virtually upon creation by the Technical Director by critical email review after being distributed to the board members. Notable feedback was received by various members and incorporated ( e.g. executive VP…).  It was then further reviewed for clarity and format by an editing group and then posted.

Q - Can players move up or down from groupings?  You note players are rated against other players in their game sessions. This seems to be a different than how you rate skills.  Is there a diff rubric?   

A – Each Session has an evaluation form specific to target what the technical director has determined will be evaluated. It is based on the rubic used for HNS performance evaluations and recommended evaluation methodology from QMJHL material ( specifically Cape Breton Screaming Eagles).

Q - Is this accurate - the skills scoring decides what team level (aa, a or B)  you could be playing for and game scoring are limited to the level assigned after skills.  So if a player had a bad skills session they could not jump up a level? 

A – No this is not accurate. The players performance and evaluations do allow for dynamic leveling.  

Q -  How many evaluators per session?

A – We aim for at least 4 independent evaluators and have secured some contingency through volunteers and contacts.  

Q - Are coaches involved in evaluation or roster selection?

A – Where there are non-player coaches identified early with no reasonable appearance or opportunity for conflict of interest they are encouraged to be part of the evaluation process.

Q - Is there parking of players?

A – This year we define “parking” as players assigned to a team before completion of all necessary/scheduled try out events at a particular age level. While some players  as determined by the try out committee and Technical Director, may not be assigned to an evaluation session in some cases. In all cases no player is 100% assigned to a team until the tryout process for that team ( or sub-team in the case of U13AAA) has been completed.  

Q - Will there be exhibition games as part of the process?

A – Exhibition games are challenging to secure and coordinate due to the dynamic nature of differing associations tryout processes. The Tryout Committee has scheduled and continues to attempt to find opportunity to include cross association exhibition games for the purposes of both evaluation and leveling. Where an opportunity arises to include an exhibition game not previously scheduled and identified,  a determination will be made by the Technical Director and Tryout Committee as to inclusion for the purposes of evaluation. This is very similar to occurrences in past years.