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Welcome to the 2026/2027 Hockey Season! 

The following is an information package that will let you know what to expect for the upcoming season. 
Pre Skate Groupings can be found here. 

  1. The Wild Zone may be fielding 6 teams this year as per the SMHA grid system:
  • 2A, 2B, 1C, 1D
  1. Pre-Skates – ALL AT SCHROH ARENA
  • There will be 3 scheduled pre-skates this year for each group with an additional OPTIONAL pre-skate open to any U11 player that would like to attend. This is as a result of the timing of the long weekend. If you would like to participate in the optional 4th skate, please email u11wildcoordinator@gmail.com so we will know how many players will be attending.
  • Each pre-skate will be a 45 minute session. 
    • September 8
      • Group 1 4:15pm – 5:00pm
      • Group 2 5:00pm – 5:45pm
      • Group 3 5:45pm – 6:30pm
    • September 10
      • Group 2 4:15pm – 5:00pm
      • Group 3 5:00pm – 5:45pm
      • Group 1 5:45pm – 6:00pm
    • September 13
      • Group 3 1:45pm – 2:30pm
      • Group 1 2:30pm – 3:15pm
      • Group 2 3:30pm – 4:15pm
      • Optional Session 4:15pm – 5:00pm
  • These sessions are meant to give players the opportunity to get back on the ice in a fun, player-friendly scenario.
  • Players will NOT be evaluated during pre-skates.
  • On ice leaders and volunteers will run drills that will help players feel prepared for their evaluation skates.
  • Players will be assigned to groups and will be given times for each date.
  1. Evaluations
  • 60 minute sessions 
    • September 16, 4:15pm – 9:00pm @ SCHROH ARENA (Skills Session)
    • September 20, 12:00pm – 4:30pm @ SCHROH ARENA (Skills Session)
    • September 22 4:30pm – 8:00pm @ SCHROH ARENA (Scrimmage Session)
    • September 26 5:15pm – 8:45pm @ ABERDEEN ARENA (Scrimmage Session)
  • There will be 4 evaluation skates that will consist of 2 skills and 2 scrimmage sessions.
  • Evaluations will begin with registered players being randomly placed in 4 groups. Prior to the scrimmage evaluation, players will be moved into groups based on their scores, appropriate group sizes, and other factors.
  • Registration will open 45 minutes prior to your players scheduled skate time. You will need to register and pick up their assigned jersey. This will be the only tool used to identify players. Jerseys will need to be collected after each skate so that the next group may wear them as well.
  • Independent evaluators will be hired to evaluate players. Evaluators will submit their evaluations and the coordinator will input the data to calculate the players rating after each session.
  • Upon the completion of every evaluation skate, families will need to go to the Wild Zone website and see when your player’s next ice session is as players will start to move groups after the initial random assignments.
  • More information on pre-skates and evaluations drills can be found below.
  1. Goalies
  • Goalies may be part time or full time.
    • Teams with 2 full time goalies:
      • Goalies will alternate ½ games, as no player is to be on the bench for a full game.
      • Rotation may be 2 periods/1 period or straight half games at the coaches discretion.
      • Tournament situations will multiple games per day be an exception with goalies alternating games BUT coaches must adhere to fair play policy.
    • Teams with 2 half time goalies
      • Players will be skaters when not in net and alternate games in goal.
    • Teams with 1 full time and 1 half time:
      • Full time goalie will play full game in net when other player is skating out.
      • They will split time in net when both are dressed as goalies as no player is expected to sit for a whole game at any time.
  • For the purposes of ranking:
    • Full time goalies will rely on their goal tender evaluations and scores.
    • Half time goalies will be ranked as players first to determine appropriate tiering order based on all other players, then re-ranked as goalies within each tier so prospective coaches understand their evaluated skill level in both positions.
  • Goalie evaluations:
    • Skills will be evaluated during one session Goalies will then be assigned to scrimmage sessions.
    • Goalies will be evaluated by independent evaluators.
    • Goalie rankings from this session will be combined with player rankings from player skills for those goalies wishing to tryout as both a goalie and skater.
    • Half time goalies will be required to attend goalie evaluations AND player evaluations.
  1. Coaching
  • If you are interested in coaching this season, please fill out your coaching registration 
  • If you have any trouble registering or have any concerns prior to filling your form out, please notify me immediately.
  • If you apply to coach, you will be asked to help out on the ice during preskates.
  • As per our Wild Constitution, coaches will be selected by committee once the evaluations are complete.
  1. Pre-Skate and Evaluations Skills
  • The pre-skates and evaluations will include drills to look at multiple skills and may include the following:
    • Forward and backward skating (with and without pucks)
    • Stopping
    • Transitions
    • Crossovers
    • Weave through pylons (with and without pucks)
    • Tight turns (with and without pucks)
    • Shooting
    • Puck Handling
    • One on One battles
    • Scrimmages
  • Detailed drills are available to view at the registration table at pre skates and evaluations
  1. Special Notes
  • All previous team identifiers from either zone or spring hockey (Helmet stickers, socks, pant shells, etc) must be removed prior to the first skate. 
  • All players are to be in full equipment for all skates. If you need goalie equipment, please contact out goalie coordinator for pick up times
  • Have players ready 10 minutes before their scheduled session
  • Please return jerseys after each session to the registration table. 
  1. Common Questions
  • Does my player have to attend pre-skates?
    • No, but your player will miss their opportunity to get familiar with skills and drills they will be evaluated on. 
  • Does my player have to attend evaluations?
    • No, but your player will be given a zero for their evaluations scores and placed on a team accordingly. 
  • My child is sick or injured during evaluations, what do we do?
    • Please contact your coordinator as soon as you can and we will come up with a plan on a case by case basis.

If you have any questions or concerns throughout the hockey season, please feel free to contact me via email at u11wildcoordinator@gmail.com


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