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u16/18aa TRYOUT PROCESS

Welcome to the 2026 SAAH U18–U16 AA Evaluation Season. Below is the outline of how evaluations, team selections, and draft procedures will take place.

GENERAL EVALUATION PROCESS

All on‑ice sessions are scored by independent evaluators. Each player receives ratings in; skating, puck control, work ethic, checking, shooting, passing, and hockey sense 
Coaches and assistants attend all sessions and provide additional nightly feedback to coordinators.

Please check the website regularly for any last‑minute roster updates. Some changes have been made since the first posting of teams. 

Note: Returning U18AA players are not guaranteed a roster spot this season. All players are expected to compete hard every shift throughout tryout weekend.

Players will keep their assigned jersey for the weekend and return it to bench staff at the completion of their final game of the weekend.


TEAM OPTIONS FOR U16 PLAYERS

U16 players may be considered for the following teams:

  • Bridge City Blues (U16) – SAAHL U16 Division
  • Riverkings (U16) – SAAHL U18 Division
  • Crunch / Sabrecats / Screaming Eagles (U16 & U18) – SAAHL U18 Division

U16 Player Declaration Requirement

All U16 players must declare their draft intentions to the desk staff at the registration desk when picking up their jersey at their first game on Saturday, September 12th, 2026.

A U16‑only evaluation skate will be held on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, from 4:15–6:15 PM for final Bridge City Blues assessments. This is an invite only skate and players will be notified Tuesday September 15, 2026 following the U18AA draft.

U16 Player Draft Options

Option 1 – Riverkings → Bridge City Blues

  • Player wishes to be considered for the Riverkings first.
  • If not selected, they wish to be considered for the Bridge City Blues.
  • Riverkings players may affiliate with Crunch, Sabrecats, Screaming Eagles, or U18AAA.
  • If not selected by either team and the player does not want consideration for other U18 teams, they must return to their zone.

Option 2 – Bridge City Blues Only

  • Player wishes to be considered only for the Bridge City Blues.
  • Blues players may affiliate with Riverkings, Crunch, Sabrecats, Screaming Eagles, or U18AAA.
  • If not selected and the player does not want consideration for other U18 teams, they must return to their zone.

Option 3 – Riverkings → Blues → U18 Teams

  • Player wishes to be considered for the Riverkings first.
  • If not selected, they wish to be considered for the Bridge City Blues.
  • If still not selected, they wish to be considered for Crunch, Sabrecats, or Screaming Eagles.
  • Players selected by Crunch, Sabrecats, or Screaming Eagles may affiliate with U18AAA.
  • If not selected by any team, they must return to their zone.

MAIN CAMP FORMAT

  • Players participate in three 60‑minute games.
  • Games include 20‑minute periods, full officiating, penalties, and on‑the‑fly changes.
  • Line combinations change each game.
  • Independent evaluators score every player to build a comprehensive evaluation dataset.
  • Suspendable infractions carry over into the regular season.
  • Penalties: The player who commits the offense will leave the ice immediately and go to the back of the line on the bench.  The other 4 players plus one new player from the bench will continue on the ice. 
  • On Ice officials and Bench Bosses will monitor player behavior on the ice and will give ‘time outs’ to any player who is putting others at any risk of injury. Players are encouraged to showcase their skill and hockey IQ in all games. 


GOALTENDER EVALUATIONS

  • A dedicated SAAH Goaltending Coordinator oversees all goalie evaluations.
  • Goalies participate in a separate evaluation session before joining scrimmages.
  • Scrimmage performances are scored by independent evaluators with goalie‑specific expertise.
  • A separate goalie schedule will be provided.


DRAFT PROCESS

The U16–U18 AA draft occurs in three stages:

  1. Riverkings Selection
    • Riverkings staff select their roster from eligible U16 players.
    • List submitted the evening of Sunday, September 13, 2026.
  2. U18AA Team Draft
    • Crunch, Sabrecats, and Screaming Eagles receive the remaining eligible player list.
    • Draft held Tuesday evening, September 16, 2026.
  3. Bridge City Blues Final Selections
    • After the U16‑only skate on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, Blues coaches submit their final roster.