One of the primary objectives of Oshawa Minor Hockey is to encourage players to compete at the appropriate level of competition to maximize their development both as players and individuals. Meeting this objective will enable the association and its members to put forth competitive teams for all levels of play.

In addition, it is the responsibility of Oshawa Minor Hockey to meet level of play requirements in accordance with the OMHA guidelines. These guidelines include that an AAA Association can not enter a team in a lower level of play if there is no team entered in the immediate level above.  For example, Oshawa Minor Hockey must enter (i) an “A” team if it wishes to enter an “AE” team, or (ii) a “AA” team to enter an “A” team, or an “AAA” to enter a “AA” team. In other words, if players want to form an AE team but there are not enough players trying out for an A team, then the AE category team is eliminated.

Players must attend all of the tryout sessions for the team they wish to play for. Absences for extenuating circumstances (i.e. illness, injury, etc.) can be permitted at the discretion of the coach. Check with the relevant coach if you are not sure about what is acceptable.

It is recommended that all players (new and returning) tryout at the highest level of play (AAA).

All players are expected to attend, within their appropriate age category, one level of play higher than the level of play in their just completed season. For example, returning players at the “A” level for the just ended season should attend the “AA” or the “AAA” tryouts for the upcoming season.

A coach who has been awarded a team who also has a player, at the same age group, MUST take his player to the tryouts for the level above where the player played the previous season. If the coach from the team above would like to keep that player the coach from the lower level then has three options (i) allow his player to play at the level above and continue to coach the level below, (ii) Oshawa Minor Hockey find a replacement coach for the team he was to coach, (iii) child plays the level below but parent will not be permitted to be part of the coaching staff.

If it is your intent not to tryout at one level above your recently completed season you must indicate your reason for your decision on your registration form in the comment area. You will be contacted by Oshawa Minor Hockey prior to the start of tryouts to further discuss your reason for not attending tryouts at the one level above your recently completed season. For players that choose not to attend the tryout level above and do not indicate their reason for not attending the level above on their registration form that player will not be permitted to attend the tryouts in the registered level of play until a meeting between you and Oshawa Minor.

Please be assured that your comments will help us determine how to improve our system and will only be shared with the relevant Oshawa Minor Executives and coach.

Due to time restrictions there will be no individual parent meetings held during tryouts.

As always, please consult the convener for the appropriate division or the Rep Team Chair for any clarification of this policy.