1. How do I register for Westwood Hockey?

You go to your own community website first to register, which will either be http://www.triwood.org/ or http://www.brentwoodcommunity.com/ or http://www.westhillhurst.com/ 

 

 

2. What are the boundaries for Westwood Hockey?

Good question. The boundaries list can be found on this website under the About tab at the top and then click on Boundaries. 

 

3. Is there a Fair Play Code of Conduct?

Yes there is. Please view the Code on our webiste under the ABOUT tab and the click on the Fair Play Code 

 

4. What is the Westwood Evaluation Policy?

Please see the attached Westwood Evaluation Policy for the 2011/2012 season..... 

http://westwoodhockey.com/Uploads/Documents/WW_Evaluation_Policy_2011.doc (updated June, 2011) 

 

5. What is the Player Objectives and Evaluations?

1. Objectives of Player Evaluation

 • Provide a fair and impartial assessment of a player's total hockey skills during the skating and scrimmage sessions.

 • Ensure that players have a reasonable opportunity of being selected to a team appropriate to their skill levels as determined during the on-ice evaluations of the current year.

 • Provide coaches with the opportunity and flexibility to build a team based in part on their own coaching philosophy and knowledge of player skills and attitude.

 • Provide uniformity and consistency in the evaluation process such that a player and parent expectations are consistent from year to year as players move through the various levels of the association's programs.

 • Form teams to maintain balanced and competitive play where the athletes can develop and participate equitably and have fun playing hockey during the season.

 • Allow development of players through feedback.

 

2. Top Questions on Player Evaluations

 I. When are the player evaluation sessions?

 

The evaluation ice schedule is still to be determined, however, it usually starts right after the Labour Day long weekend, and runs until the end of September. Evaluation ice times will be posted on the Westwood website, however, you should watch your email closely as all registered players will be notified via email. Please check your profile when registering to ensure Westwood has your correct email address.

 

II. How many evaluation sessions will there be?

 

Each player has the opportunity for two conditioning skates to prepare for the evaluation sessions, followed by a minimum of four evaluation sessions before being placed on a team. The players will be divided into groups for evaluations. 

 

It will be the parent’s responsibility to insure their player attends their assigned evaluation session. As much notice as possible will be given, but as your player may have ice times on consecutive nights, there may be instances where you will get limited notice. 

 

Your player’s participation in the evaluations is critical to placements on proper teams. If your player will be absent from an assigned evaluation session please inform one of the coordinators. 

 

 

III. What is being evaluated?

 • Skating: Acceleration, speed, mobility, agility, balance, stride, crossovers, pivots, acceleration out of turns, quick feet, controlled skating, change of pace. 

• Passing: Passing, receiving, passing choices, on backhand, unselfish with the puck, presents a good target, receives and retains with control, touch passing.

 • Puck Control: Head up, smooth and quiet, good hands, protection, in small spaces, in traffic.

 • Shooting: Power, accuracy, quick release, can shoot in motion, goal scorer, rebound control, variety of shots.

 • Positional Play: Ability to see the play developing both offensively and defensively and moves to support, judgment, anticipation, understands systems, disciplined.

 • Checking Concept (applies to Pee Wee and up) of angling, good body position with balance and control, defensive side position, aggressive checker, strength, taking checks. Can the player execute basic stick and body checks? Does the player check properly with their hands down or do they get their arms up to give a check? Can the player receive a check properly, not turning their back and staying close to the boards? Can the player check and opposing player and pin them on the boards? Does the player shy away from other players?

 

IV. Who will do the evaluations?

 

There are 3 key groups involved in the evaluations:

 • On-ice coaches to take players through the session.

 • Off-ice evaluators who are responsible for evaluation of every player on the ice during the time allotted. There may be on-ice evaluators depending on the particular situation (for example during technical timed skates).

 • Coordinators to contact parent and players, schedule sessions and track evaluations.

 

V. What should my son/daughter wear to the evaluation?

 

Full equipment is always mandatory. This includes:

 • Protective cup

 • Shin pads

 • Hockey pants

 • Shoulder pads

 • Elbow pads

 • Skates

 • Hockey gloves

 • Hockey stick

 • CSA approved helmet and full shield

 • Neck guard and mouth guard

 

For the Atom group players are required to wear their own practice jerseys for conditioning skates, however, players will be assigned a Westwood jersey upon their arrival at the rink forany evaluation sessions. The evaluators will only know jersey numbers. 

 

"Elite team" jerseys or socks are not allowed. These jerseys / socks can often unknowingly sway evaluator's perception of a player’s skills. If worn, players will be asked to take them off, and replace them before they continue evaluations.

 

VI. How are the evaluation groups comprised?

 

1. Evaluation groups will comprise of approximately 25 to 30 players (not counting goalies);

 2. Evaluation groups will initially be comprised of, to the extent possible, players of similar ability;

 3. The Division Coordinator will refer to the following information when forming initial evaluation groups:

 • The division and team where each player played the previous year;

 • Any other information that would reasonably assist the Coordinators in complying with the principle above.

 • New players will be placed at the discretion of the Coordinator based on whatever information is available concerning the new players.

 

VII. How are the players notified of their standing within the process?

 

Parents \ players will be informed by the coordinators who are responsible for tracking evaluations, scheduling sessions and contacting parents and players. Parents\ players will be informed by the coordinator via email regarding the next session as well as posting on the Westwood Hockey website. Final notification of team placement is through the team head coach.

 

VIII. Will the player be evaluated in a skill and game environment?

 

In order to give each and every player a fair opportunity to exhibit the range of skills that they possess, they will be evaluated in both a game and skill environment. 

 

The first evaluations for Novice and Atom will be a technical skate. 

 

Subsequent evaluations will be based on scrimmages of which may comprise of a 3 on 3, 4 on 4, 5 on 5 or a combination of the three. Scrimmages allow evaluators to evaluate not only basic skills such as skating, shooting, passing, and where applicable, body contact, but also “hockey sense”. The last scrimmage will be 5 on 5 to assess player abilities in game-like situations

 

Juniors are evaluated by the coaches. Evaluations are through drills, however, scrimmages in set positions are the primary evaluation method.

 

IX. What happens after the evaluation sessions?

 

Upon the completion of evaluations players will be contacted by the coach of their team. The coach will outline:

 • Practice schedule

 • Game schedule

 • Setting of first meeting with parents and players

 

X. How soon after evaluations does the season start?

 

Typically, right after evaluations, teams receive practice ice. Teams can arrange exhibition games during this part of the season, prior to the seeding round. Game schedules are the responsibility of Hockey Calgary. The schedules for the seeding round are usually posted on the Hockey Calgary website the 3rd week of October. The seeding round goes from approximately the end of October (beginning of November for Novice) until mid December.

 

XI. How will the evaluation information be used?

 

Individual scores are kept confidential to the Coordinator and the Board.