Exceptional Player Requests due Feb1st
Submitted By tonyh on Tuesday, January 19, 2016
Please be aware that there has been a change to the HMHA rules of Ops with regards to players wishing to tryout at a higher age level. These changes are part of Section 7.2 of the Rules of Operations listed below. Please ensure to follow the new protocols.
Players wishing to play in a division above their age category for the upcoming season must e-mail the Director of Hockey Operations and Development Director with their request no later than February 1st. Players will be advised by March 15 if they have been granted exceptional status.
7.2 Travel
The policy applies to A level hockey:
A player may try-out for a team in the age group above (i.e. Novice to Minor Atom or Minor Bantam to Major Bantam) providing that they are an exceptional player.
An Exceptional Player is one who meets the following criteria
1. Superior skills to players in his own age group
2. Deemed to be in the top 3 players in the age group*** (including NRP’s) he/she is attempting to move up to, based on hockey skill level
3. Possess the physical and social maturity to move up a classification.
4. Must be one of the top 3 forwards or top 2 defense or top goalie.
5. A maximum of two underage players will be allowed on any team.
Players wishing to play in a division above their age category for the upcoming season must e-mail the Director of Hockey Operations and Development Director with their request no later than February 1st. Players will be advised by March 15 if they have been granted exceptional status.
The player will be evaluated during games (league and playoff) as well possibly at team practices by an independent group appointed by the HMHA Executive. That group will determine if the player qualifies as an exceptional player. It will be up to the evaluators after consultation with the coach of the team that the “exceptional player” is trying out for to decide if they want to choose that player for their team.
Being deemed an exceptional player doesn’t necessarily mean he/she will be selected.
If at any time during the process the parent(s) of the player(s) participating in the movement attempts to influence the coaches or evaluators, the process will be terminated.
If a successful “exceptional player” subsequently decides during the season that he/she no longer wishes to participate at the higher level the Director of Hockey Operations and Development Director will decide placement of said player. This must be done before the Hockey Canada roster finalization in early January for said player to continue with rep hockey.
HMHA executive strives to run a progressive association, with a strong emphasis on player development. HMHA philosophy remains the creation of strong teams through the creation of strong individuals.