Thank you for inquiring about the Kitchener Lady Ranger U18
“A” tryouts. Our tryout dates and times have now been set. To ensure that you will get the most out of this hockey season, I
wanted to provide you with a brief outline of what to expect your commitment to
be for the 2022 – 2023 season. We are a
full “non-parent” coaching staff including a goalie coach. With several players
“aging out” and several more moving to “AA” hockey, we are looking to fill several
vacancies.
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Date
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Time
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Location
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19 April 2022
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7:15pm – 8:45pm
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Evaluations – on ice testing – Activa Alumni
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19 April 2022
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8:45pm – 10:15pm
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Evaluations – Skills – Activa Alumni
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21 April 2022
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7:00pm – 8:30pm
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Evaluations – Skills – Activa PJD
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21 April 2022
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8:30pm – 10:00pm
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Intrasquad – Blue vs. Red – Activa PJD
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22 April 2022
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8:00pm – 9:30pm
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Intrasquad – Blue vs. Red – Activa PJD
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23 April 2022
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6:00pm – 7:30pm
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Vs. Ancaster – Morgan Firestone – A
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24 April 2022
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2:00pm – 3:30pm
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Vs. Ancaster – Activa Sportsplex PJD
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26 April 2022
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8:45pm – 10:15pm
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Vs. Cambridge– Activa Sportsplex PJD
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10 May 2022
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6:30pm - 7:30pm
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Off Ice Testing – Limitless – 907 Frederick Street, Kitchener
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May 2022
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Player / Parent Meeting
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May 2022
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On Ice Testing
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Tryout Evaluations
Over the course of these tryouts, your daughter will be evaluated by as many as ten independent evaluators with no daughters playing / trying out for the team. I promise your daughter as fair and impartial look as any she has received in the past.
Games and Practices
Although not finalized at this time, the U18A “Loop” last season included Cambridge, Brantford, Guelph, Owen Sound, Saugeen, and Waterloo. We are hoping to return to 22 regular season games against these centers with home games tentatively Saturday afternoon. Practices will be weekly on every Wednesday for 1.5 hours and every Friday / every other Friday for 1 hour.
Budget
This season’s budget will be approximately $1800 - $2000 (including KMHA’s Rep Fee).
Tournaments
We will be playing in at least five tournaments this season. Our goal will be to attend Tournaments that will offer the opportunity to “showcase” our TEAM’s skill and ability. Tentatively we are looking at:
1. September – Oakville if return to September date / TBD OWHA pending tournaments
2. October – Windsor - Hoctoberfest
3. November –Detroit Motown Thanksgiving / Kitchener Fallfest
4. December – Oakville – Harvest Classic – if remains in December / TBD OWHA pending tournaments
5. February – London Annual
6. March - TBD when qualify for Provincials
Off Ice Training / On Ice Testing
Off Ice Training will take place at “Limitless Training” in Kitchener. Overall strength, conditioning and flexibility will help us win those on-ice battles and help reduce injuries. Fitness testing will take place post tryout, pre-season, and post-season to assess continued development.
Off season training will be the responsibility of the individual ladies. A Limitless summer training program including strength, conditioning, agility, and quick feet will be provided in May and is expected to be followed throughout the summer months. We will also have additional June, July, and August specific packages for you, to assist in overall body fitness. September testing results will reflect the good work done off season.
On ice testing will be conducted post April tryout, pre-season, and post-season to evaluate player (and team) speed and agility development. The ladies will be provided with a chart of their times in both speed and agility charted against themselves as well as the overall team average. Improvement from beginning of season to end of season will be the goal.
Social
U18 hockey is very demanding for the girls on several fronts including school, work, and other family obligations. We will have an early season team building and a mid-season social gathering for the ladies. Healthy Team Lunches / Dinners will also be built into Tournaments and weekend games away.
Nutrition - Proper nutrition “Off Ice” WILL help you “On Ice”
A nutrition component will be built into season including pre and post game nutrition, hydration and sport specific nutrition essentials including Food as Fuel for Optimal Performance, Water and Hydration, Nutrition Overview and Food Shifting, Carbohydrates, Fiber, Protein, Fats, Game Time Nutrition, Fast Foods, Eating for Tournaments and Supplements. A nutrition package will be provided to you in May to assist in your nutritional development.
Coaching Staff Expectations
To ensure there is no misunderstanding regarding the coming season, the coaching staff want you to understand and be committed to the following BEFORE attending our tryouts.
1 - ALL the ladies will be offered the opportunity to grow and develop as one piece of our seventeen/eighteen-piece team puzzle. Respecting how you see your daughter, NO ONE is the sole piece to our puzzle. Hockey remains a team sport.
2 - Our systems of play REQUIRE everyone to understand all five on ice positions and responsibilities. You will need to be versatile. Systems play results in forwards playing defense and defense playing forward during shifts / periods / games throughout the season.
3 – The coaching staff will use everyone’s skills for the balance and benefit of the team.
4 – The majority of practice drills will have game applications. These may NOT be the same type of practices you are used to. Cardio is built into the flow drills that we will be running. In addition to weekly in season dryland, you will be provided an In Season conditioning package to assist you at home to increase your cardio level.
5 – Our team goal is to grow and develop throughout the season to place us in the best position for playoffs and play downs.
6 – We also work closely with our U18 AA team and will push those players interested in playing AA to practices and games throughout the season. Our individual player goal is to move those who wish to play AA hockey next season to a AA team.
If you have any questions, please let me know. We look forward to seeing everyone at tryouts!