3.03.01 The Sarnia Hockey Association is classified as an A/AA Centre in the Minor Hockey Alliance of
Ontario (ALLIANCE) and therefore the first priority for the Representative program is to select the A/AA
team. Once this has been accomplished, the SHA will then select MD or Minor Development teams.
3.03.02 The SHA will hold open tryouts each year to assemble the best teams with the best players at each division and level, in accordance with the principles laid out in “Hockey Canada’s Minor Hockey Development-Player Evaluation and Selection”. We encourage all players to attend tryout sessions. However, when a player attends a tryout session, either at A/AA, B/BB or MD, it is with the understanding that the player is attempting to obtain a roster spot at that level.
In keeping with this principle, should a player attend tryouts at the A/AA level, be offered a roster position at that level, then refuse the offer, the player will be considered as refusing an assignment with the Representative program. As such the player will be automatically released from the Representative program and reassigned to the SHA Recreational League program. That player will not be permitted to tryout at any lower level.
EXAMPLE: A player attends U13 tryouts and is offered a roster spot but refuses, stating that they want to play B/BB. This player will be released from the Representative program, reassigned to the Recreational League program and not allowed to try out for the B/BB team.
3.03.03 Players must first tryout for the A/AA team in order to be eligible to play for the MD team. Only
if released by the A/AA Coach may the player then tryout for the MD team.
3.03.04 No player can be affiliated to the A/AA or MD team without attending the A/AA tryouts.
3.03.05 Tryout Exemptions
1) Players must attend tryouts to be eligible to be carded to a SHA Representative Team.
Exemptions from participating in a tryout due to illness or injury or other, must be requested and granted
by the Head Coach and the SHA Tryout Exemption Committee. The SHA Tryout Exemption Committee
will request a Doctor’s verification of illness or injury. The Coach and the SHA Tryout Exemption
Committee are not obligated to grant any exemption request.
2) Should a player miss the tryouts without an approved exemption, they will not be eligible to be
carded to a representative team.
3) Should a player have an exemption request denied, but chooses to not tryout for the team, that
player cannot be carded to any SHA Representative team for the season.
SHA Tryout Exemption Committee will be comprised of the 1st Vice Chair, Vice Chair
Representative Hockey and the A/AA Representative Team Director.
Representative Team Tryout General Policy:
1) Tryout dates for Representative Teams shall be provided to all registered players within
Sarnia Hockey Association.
2) Tryout dates will be coordinated with the Zone AAA ice scheduler.
3) All interested registered players will try out for a Representative Team at their age
appropriate level.
4) Fees for tryouts must be paid in full prior to participation in the A/AA tryouts. These fees
shall be established annually by the Association Executive.
5) Representative Team coaches will receive a preliminary list of players trying out prior to
the start of tryouts.
6) All candidates are guaranteed at least one (1) tryout at the highest level with a total of
four tryouts before being released to House League.
7) Coaches are strongly encouraged to have only non-parents assist them during tryouts.
8) Coaches will make themselves available after tryout sessions to answer questions and
provide positive feedback to players, parents, or Association Directors.
9) Successful players will be rostered with the ALLIANCE for A/AA and MD
Representative Teams. Players must register and pay all fees prior to being rostered. If a
player leaves the team after being offered a Letter of Intent 50% of their registration fees
will be forfeited.
10) Exhibition Home games are permitted during the allotted tryout times, however will have
no additional costs to the players.
11) Away games are permitted during the tryout period, however they are not mandatory and
will have no additional costs to the players.
12) The last scheduled tryout must be the final skate for rostering the team.
13) If a Representative player leaves Sarnia Hockey, the player cannot return to SHA without
the express consent of the Board.