NCWC Members,

As a final reminder, the Hockey Policy Committee (“HPC”)  is committed to making the tryout and team selection as fair a process as possible and our goal remains to place our players on the right team for his/her skill level and development.  We have had success using independent evaluators to assist in the player evaluation process and plan to do so again this year.  One point that HPC wants to make clear to all families with kids trying out is that there are a number of factors that impact team selection.  While we may take into account a player’s past performance, commitment level and a player’s age/tenure in the selection process on “close calls,”  the most important factor remains one’s tryout performance.  Tryouts provide the one opportunity to evaluate all of the players in an age group on an equal footing.  We emphasize these points to set an expectation level that no player is guaranteed a spot on any team nor will a player automatically move up from one team to another.  We owe it to all of our members, players and coaches to select teams based on merit and this will be our philosophy during the team selection process.  As in past years, we will only select players to participate in travel hockey if they have the skill level, commitment and maturity to do so.

We expect to offer a great lineup of teams that meet the needs of our travel hockey caliber players. Based on the numbers that have registered, we anticipate fielding four travel teams at the Squirt level, four travel teams at the Peewee level, and three travel teams at the Bantam level. It is important to understand once again that that when a player accepts a position on a travel team, he/she is expected to participate fully in practices, games and tournaments.  State and other tournaments have traditionally fallen over both the public and private school breaks.  While fall sports may present some understandable conflicts, a strong commitment is essential to the program’s success.  Please keep in mind the NCWC also offers a house program for those who feel uncomfortable with this level of commitment.

EVALUATION PROCESS:

-          Evaluators will be on and off the ice evaluating players. Our Hockey Director, Clark Jones, will oversee the process as usual.

-          After each tryout skate, the evaluators meet, go over each skater and place them in the appropriate groups. Movement of skaters between groups can occur during tryouts.

-          After the final tryout, the evaluators place skaters/goalies on the appropriate teams and then the HPC communicates the lists with the travel team families. It is expected that the rosters will be posted no sooner than 48 hours after the last overall tryout skate. We will communicate as we approach the final posting.

EXPECTATIONS OF PLAYERS AND PARENTS:

-    Players: be dressed and ready before the zamboni is off the ice, bring your own water bottles and be ready to work.

-     Parents: please drop off your son/daughter and go run some errands or grab a meal. We do not want parents to watch the tryout as it is best to let your child skate and have fun.

-     Players and Parents: if you step on the ice on the last day of tryouts you are COMMITTED to the New Canaan Winter Club travel program. Your check will be deposited.

-     Parents: do not contact the Hockey Director, any member on HPC or the Board until 48 hours after the rosters are posted. If you make contact prior to the 48 hours you will be fined $250.


ANTICIPATED 2023-2024 LIST OF COACHES:

Squirt AA: Ryan Haggerty

Squirt A: Frank Granito

Squirt A1: Jason Mleczko

Squirt B: TBD

Peewee AA: Clark Jones, Jake Granito

Peewee A: Chip Buzzeo, Todd Christian

Peewee A1: Mike Mammone

Peewee B: TBD


Bantam AA: Clark Jones

Bantam A: Brandon Angotti

Bantam A1: Todd Christian

Please note that there will be coaches added from our deep bench of professional coaches and parents once the rosters are set. We are blessed with a lot of talent and energy from this group and they continue to be an important part of our success and culture.

Best of Luck

New Canaan Winter Club

Travel Tryout Dates and Times

Saturday, April 1 - Darien Ice House

11:20 am-12:20 pm - Peewees - Group 2

12:30-1:30 pm - Peewees - Group 1

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Tuesday, April 4 - Darien Ice House

4:45-6:00 pm - ALL Bantams

Wednesday, April 5 - Darien Ice House

4:45-6:00 pm - ALL Bantams

Thursday, April 6 - Darien Ice House

4:20-5:20 pm - Bantams Group 2

5:30-6:30 pm - Bantams Group 1