U9 Coordinator: Jody Gress, U9coordinator@saskatoonredwings.ca

Redwings U9 Evaluation Information

Hello, Redwings U9 families, and welcome to the 2026/27 hockey season.

I hope everyone had a relaxing summer and is now looking forward to returning to the rink this season. Below is more information about the format of the U9 evaluations, including the dates for the skates. Individual skate times will be posted on the Saskatoon Redwings website under the evaluation tab next week. Throughout the evaluation process, we will post all the information about the skate times on the website, so please check it frequently.

For families new to U9, players undergo a series of evaluations based on individual skills and game situations. Independent evaluators will assess your player on various skills and abilities, so please encourage your child to work hard every time their skates hit the ice and to bring a positive attitude, as you never know when the evaluators will be watching. I know the idea of evaluating young children can be a bit daunting; however, the process exists to ensure all players are placed in a tier that matches their current skill set and helps promote their love of the game and long-term development. Here's more information about the evaluation process.

With SMHA running the four non-evaluated pre-skates this year, the Redwings zone will
run the following format for evaluations:

Skills Session – Saturday, September 19th, 2026 (Aberdeen)
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Scrimmage One – Sunday, September 20, 8 – 11:30 am (Aberdeen)
TBD
Scrimmage Two – Saturday, September 26, 11 am – 2:30 pm (Aberdeen)
TBD
Placement Skate – Tuesday, September 29, 6- 7 pm (Kinsmen Arena)
TBD

All players are required to attend the skills session and scrimmages.
Not all players will participate in the placement skate, as they are a chance for players who may be evaluating at a level between tiers. These skates are not evaluated by independent evaluators, but all prospective coaches will be in attendance to watch the players compete.

Players can wear their own jerseys for the skills skates, and individual numbers will be provided for each player. Zone jerseys will be provided for the scrimmages and placement skates.

We ask that you please remove helmet stickers and not wear jerseys, socks or pant shells with logos from your spring team or that would indicate what level the player played last season.

For all potential coaches:
If you are interested in coaching this year or helping out as an assistant coach, please make sure you have registered through the Coach Registration form on the Redwings website: app.teamlinkt.com/register/find/saskatoonredwingszone

Jody Gress
U9 Coordinator
Saskatoon Redwings
u9coordinator@saskatoonredwings.ca