Evaluation and Selection Process

This 2021-2021 Season, due to COVID, we have revised our Evaluation Plan to accommodate the current situation.  Please see below for this year’s intended process.  We will review future year evaluations as they come. 
 
Introduction
Welcome to the evaluation and selection process information page. Devils Hockey has put together an equal opportunity evaluation program that provides all players the chance to exhibit their hockey skills.  Skating ability, hockey knowledge and commitment to teamwork are some of the key elements reviewed and what ultimately determines where a player is placed.  Devils Hockey is committed to placing players on teams and in environments that not only best improves hockey skills, but also self-confidence and enjoyment of the sport.

Evaluations can be a stressful time, especially for parents who may not have a clear understanding of how their player is ranked.  Unfortunately, this anxiety can be detrimental to the child's performance, which too often takes the joy out of the game.  By providing a dedicated section on our website outlining the entire evaluation process, we hope that our families can focus on what is most important...encouraging our players to work hard and have fun.  Please take the time to read through this information and please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions. 
 
The Devils Hockey Board of Directors believes that our evaluation process is fair and credible, and we hope this tool helps our entire hockey family better understand how a player is assessed. In addition, we hope that you will understand and support the proposed process for this 2021-2022 season, under the current COVID situation. 
 
Thank You,
Patti McTernan
President - Devils Hockey

 
2021-2022 Evaluation Process
 
During these uncertain times that are outside of our control, the Devils are amending our evaluation process similar to as was done last year.  Instead of having a multi week on ice process, the Devils organization will instead have one evaluation skate that is of Independent evaluators will scoring the players as they have done in the past.  Instead of multiple “call back” sessions, the Devils coaching staff will meet and determine the placement of players, first by leveraging the independent scoring results of the independent evaluators.
 
There are several reasons that we are amending our process this year to match what was ‘forced upon’ the organization due to Covid’s impact on society.
 
Given that this year we have experienced sporadic stoppages due to covid it makes most sense for the 2021 tryout plan to mimic last year’s strategy of one tryout for SENE and one live tryout for all in each level with no call backs required.
 

• Safeguards against being part way through our process and having inconsistencies due to stoppages that could be forced upon Youth Hockey outside of our control.
• Safeguards against assuming that all players and coaches will be available for a lengthy process which may be difficult due to Covid Protocols.
• Shortens time frame needed to complete process in an environment that is changing daily.
• Would eliminate overlap with spring season sports that becomes increasingly complex in a covid environment
• Would allow another year to test this format and collect findings to determine best way forward in 2022 and beyond.

 
Traditional Devils Hockey Evaluation Process
 
Commitment
The Devils Hockey Board of Directors, coaches, and staff are volunteers who love the game of hockey.  They dedicate their time, not only to this wonderful game, but to a program that prides itself on integrity and commitment.  We believe a hockey team is only successful if every player is fully dedicated to all aspects of the season.  By signing up for the Devils, we feel all players are committing to participate fully in all team activities on and off the ice. The evaluation process cannot always properly judge a player’s and their family’s commitment to hockey and the Devils specifically. Players and parents at all levels should expect that hockey will require a significant time commitment and should discuss any attendance concerns with the league president prior to evaluations. 
 
General Information
To be eligible for evaluations, returning players must be paid in full for the prior season and an initial non-refundable deposit must be made for the upcoming season.
 
All skaters and goaltenders that wish to play for a Devils team must attend an evaluation or the player will be placed on the lowest level team to start.  There may be an opportunity to move up, but placement on higher team is only available if roster space and skill set allows. 

The number of evaluation sessions per level will vary.  Note - attending multiple sessions (i.e. call backs) does not guarantee placement on any one team and should not be viewed as "making a cut" or "advancing to the next level."

The number of teams rostered in a season is determined by the number of players who commit to the evaluations.
 
No player, regardless of past affiliation, is guaranteed a position on a Devils Hockey Team.
 
Sibling, carpool or any other requests are not reason for placement on the same team.
 
Devils are proudly a “youth hockey” program. We value, care and spend as much time on “B” and “C” teams as on “A” teams and believe these distinctions are necessary only to the extent that they determine at what level the team plays in any given league.
 
All evaluation scores are kept on file for 1 year and are only released at the discretion of the Association President.
 
All players MUST attend evaluations in order to be placed on a team (see Absent Players section below). 
 
Absent Players
In the event that a player is unable to make one or more of the tryout sessions to which he or she is assigned, the player or his/her parent(s) should promptly contact Devils Hockey President, Patti McTernan, and explain the reason for the absence.  If the absence is excused, the player shall be placed on a team by the Selection Committee based on all available information about such player, including the level of the player’s current team, his/her coach’s view and placement of comparable players. Absences due to injury or illness and family emergencies shall generally be excused.  If the head coordinator declines to excuse the absence, the player or parent may petition the Board.  Unexcused absences may result in the player not being placed on a team or placed on the lowest team at that level. 
 
Evaluators
The board appoints 3-5 impartial selectors, consisting of independent hockey professionals, high school coaches, youth hockey coaches and/or parents that DO NOT have a child present at the tryout.
 
The board will also have a representative with the evaluators to answer questions and assure fairness. Evaluators are chosen based on past experience and appropriate hockey knowledge. 
 
Evaluators may not have a relative in the level they are evaluating.
 
Evaluators are instructed to not share comments regarding their observations.  Their job is to rate each player from low to high, using a standardized evaluation system.

Former Coach Involvement
Former Coaches provide input regarding player's skating and puck skills, game sense and character. The Coaches input provides comments on individual players, as additional information available for the selection process.

Coach input is provided at end of season.  It is not used to rank the individual players for team selection but used as a tool to assist in making team selections. In many cases the decisions are hard, and these commentaries are a tool in placing players on the appropriate team.  This information is kept by the association president.
 
The Evaluation
Plan to arrive at evaluations at least 30 minutes prior to the start. All skaters are to check in with staff at the lobby.
 
Players will be given colored pinnies with numbers. That number and color is assigned to each child and only the number and color are given to the evaluators. Names are withheld.
 
Independent Evaluators are on site and autonomously observe and grade each player on a scale from low to high, using a standardized evaluation system rating the following:

• Skating Skills
• Passing/Shooting
• Stickhandling
• Aggressiveness

 
3-5 Coaches and Assistants will be on ice running the drills and scrimmage and may be current coaches for those players on the ice.  They are not involved in the initial selection process and are there to ensure a well-run evaluation. 
 
Evaluation sessions will consist of both skills and scrimmage sessions. The skills component is typically four or five stations focusing on hockey fundamentals such as skating, passing, shooting, corner play and stick handling. The scrimmage session will simulate a game setting and further evaluate skills with a stronger focus on game awareness.

Again, ratings are based on overall skill, performance, physical play and knowledge of the game.  In other words, simply scoring the most goals or playing overly aggressive (i.e. body checking) doesn't necessarily translate into a high ranking. 
 
Goaltenders
Goalies will be evaluated on their balance and movement, agility and quickness, angles and positions, save selection, competitiveness, anticipation, intensity, concentration and athleticism. A separate goalie evaluation will take place where goalies will be observed by an outside evaluator. 

Goaltender selections are based on discussion amongst coaches, using the evaluators observations and comments for reference.  There is a possibility of having a rotating schedule. Players being evaluated as goalies are expected to play goal for the team that they are placed on. Teams with two goalies will split goalie-playing time equally – as determined by the coach.

Players may be evaluated as both a skater and a goalie if they are not sure whether they want to commit to being a full-time goalie. Note - This is not encouraged at the PeeWee or higher levels. 
 
If any skater is interested in playing goalie, but is not ready to commit to full-time status, then board/coaches will decide placement based on ability.  He/she may be asked to attend a call back for goaltending placement purposes. 
 
Any player that makes a team as a full-time goalie must play as a goalie on that team. Should the player decide that he/she does not want to be a full-time goalie after the team assignments have been completed, then placement will be re-evaluated by the board and determined by ability and roster availability. 
 
*Program fees for full-time goalies are discounted. 
 
Evaluation Results  
Following the Independent Evaluation ratings, players will be grouped into one of the following designations:
1) Locks
The top designated players or "Locks" after the first evaluations are placed on the higher team and, once approved by the Board, will not be further evaluated.  However, they will be required to attend any callbacks and they ARE NOT notified of their "Lock" status. (See Locks explanation below)  
 
2) On the Bubble
The next tier or "On the Bubble" players are those that need further evaluation to determine which team best suits his/her skill level.  (See On the Bubble explanation below)
 
3) Entry/Lower Level Team
The bottom tier of players is those whose skills need further development and the recommendation is that they play for the entry level or “C” or lower level team. These players should not need further evaluation, but in rare instances could be invited to a callback.
 
Locks and On the Bubble Further Explained
Roster sizes are determined based on the number of players being evaluated.  A predetermined formula provides the Association a designated number of players who make the team “Locks” and a designated number of “Bubble” players.  In most instances, Locks will need no further evaluation.  However, Bubble players will be called back for coaches to evaluate to complete the selection of their team. 

Although Bubble players are determined by evaluation results, if multiple scores fall within a narrow margin, the bubble number may be increased to reflect this circumstance. If a player who has previously played on an upper level falls below the bubble after evaluations, that player will be placed in the bubble for re-evaluation. This will not affect the original, designated bubble number. If additional players in the bubble are within similar score ranges, they may be included in the bubble. If a player has a weak tryout or if evaluations seem to be off, it may be recommended by former coaches for that player to return to a second tryout by their coach. They will return as a Bubble player. All additions to the “Bubble” are approved by the Board.
 
Bubble players will be asked to attend a second evaluation.  The names are presented at a Board Meeting for approval. If contested, the final determination will be made by a majority vote of the Board. If no agreement can be reached, the Association President will have the final say based on player evaluation and prior coach's recommendations. 
 
Same holds true for Locks.  In the rare instance where a Lock player is not approved by the Board, a special vote will be held to move this player from a Lock status to the bubble.  All discussions and decisions regarding a player being removed from Lock status will be carefully documented by the Board.    
 
Callbacks
Following the evaluation session, players may be asked to return for a "call back."
 
Typically, the “locks” and “on the bubble” players after the first evaluations are invited to attend the callbacks so that bubble players may be re-evaluated in comparison.  Note – The “Locks” are not being re-evaluated, but they are vital to the callback process.
 
Any player could be invited to a callback and it’s important to note that a callback invitation DOES NOT guarantee your child a spot on the top 1 or 2 teams.

Devils coaches manage the callback evaluation. It is up to the coaches to run exercises that help them best complete each team from among the bubble players.


Selections/Notification
Once the spring evaluation process and call backs are completed, and the initial rosters are created and approved by the Board of Directors, the players and parents are notified.
 
Notification generally takes place within a week or two from the date of the last evaluation with a goal of completing all calls prior to May 1^st. 
 
This information is HIGHLY CONFIDENTIAL and is to be communicated by COACHES ONLY. 
 
Roster changes made at any point are approved by the Board of Directors and then followed-up with notification to player or parent. 
 
Discipline
It should be noted that inappropriate behavior by a skater or parent on or off ice during the evaluations will not be tolerated. Inappropriate behavior includes but is not limited to illegal checking, elbowing, tripping, and harassment of other skaters on or off the ice and use of foul language.

Departure from Devils Program and/or Team
Devils Hockey invests a great deal of time and money into the evaluation process and in building teams as a result of the tryouts. If a player withdraws from the program or any team in the program, after tryouts are completed and the teams have been formed, that player may not rejoin the program for that season unless there are extenuating circumstances.
 
If a player withdraws from the association as a whole or just from a team that they tried out for, they will forfeit their initial registration deposit.
 
If a player tries out for multiple teams, is placed on multiple teams and is notified of such but chooses to go to another program for one of those teams, their initial registration deposit is forfeited.
 
Grievances
Any parent who has a concern with the selection process and/or a player’s placement should contact Devils Hockey President, Patti McTernan. The board will then review the grievance using coaches’ selection sheets and previous seasons’ coaching evaluation. All grievances must be submitted in writing to the Association President to be placed on the upcoming agenda for the next Board Meeting.

Conclusion
We hope that this summary of the evaluation and team selection process has been informative.  Devils Hockey is dedicated to conducting tryouts that are both productive and fair. 
 
***The following was in a recent article by USA Hockey and highlights considerations for bubble players:
For most teams during tryouts, there are “bubble” players, who might almost be good enough for the top-tier team but are perhaps better suited with the lower-tier team. This player often has a better year developmentally with the lower-tier team because they see more ice time and become a more impactful player at that level. If you have the puck on your stick more, you have a better chance to become a better player.

Play where you’re going to be on the ice....coaches are stressing that more ice time in key situations is better for development rather than seeing minimal ice time and sitting on the bench. This doesn’t only apply for high-end recruits. It’s sound advice for every hockey player, at every age, at every skill level. It’s not about playing for the best possible team. It’s about ice time, puck touches and development.