Sep 03, 2023 | Chris Neale | 190 views
WELCOME TO THE 2023-2024 U18BB SEASON!!
My name is Chris Neale and I am the Head Coach for the U18BB team this season. I have been involved with the NMHA as a coach and in other volunteer capacities for the past 15 years. This is my second season coaching the U18 age group and this is a very special season for those players for whom it may be their last season of REP hockey.
With that in mind our focus will be to have a fun and rewarding season that will hopefully provide some lasting memories of your minor hockey career. I understand players at this age have more commitments outside of hockey. School and work play an important part at this stage and as such our schedule will include only 1 practice per week. With only one practice it is very important that you make every effort to be there each week.
I believe we have an opportunity to have a very competitive team this season and that the competition to secure a spot on this year's team will be strong. We will be looking for athletes that are committed to a 'Team First' culture through their effort on the ice and their actions in the dressing room and off the ice.
Excitingly, the former MD division is now classified as BB and this season we have the opportunity to compete for an OMHA Championship and the coveted Red Hats!
Important Notes for U18BB Evaluations.
1. All athletes must be registered for the 2023-2024 season
2. All athletes must purchase an NMHA 'Evaluation Passport'.
3. Please check all your equipment prior to attending Evaluation skates. Players will not be permitted on the ice without proper equipment per the OMHA rules. This includes neck guards and mouth guards.
The dates for U18BB Evaluations are:
Evaluation #1 - Wednesday, September 20th - 9:15pm, Magna-Pfaff
- this evaluation is for players from the 2006 / 2007 age group who were released from the final 'A' tryout and for any players who opted to go directly to U18BB - No Body Checking
- Results from this evaluation will be posted within 12 hours
Evaluation #2 - Thursday, September 21st - 9:15pm, Magna Pfaff
- this evaluation is for any player selected from Evaluation #1
- results from this evaluation will be posted within 12 hours
Evaluation #3 - Friday, September 22nd - 8:00pm, Magna Forhan (exhibition game)
- this final evaluation is for any players selected from Evaluation #2. It will be an exhibition game against the U18BB Richmond Hill Jaguars
- following the exhibition game the final selections for the 2023-2024 U18BB team will be posted within 12 hours.
IMPORTANT
All players selected for the 2023-2024 team will be invited to a team meeting to sign their 'Offer of Commitment' and to receive important team information. Because timing if very tight to have the final roster approved by the OMHA this meeting is mandatory. Players are to bring their equipment as we will be practicing immediately after this meeting.
Date: Sunday, September 24th
Time: 2:00pm
Location: Magna - Multi Purpose Room 1 - overlooking Forhan ice
Following this meeting will be on the ice for our first official TEAM practice from 4pm - 5:30pm on Magna Forhan.
Parents will be sent further information regarding team budget, tournaments etc. the week following evaluations.
The U18BB team is also entered into the Newmarket Early Bird tournament and our first game will be the evening of Thursday, September 28th - time TBD.
Good luck and thank you to all players attending evaluations!!!
Coach Chris