Aug 17, 2023 | M.B.D.A.A. | 1319 views
The start of the 2023/24 season is different for all Cougars families as it is our first season where we have teams that have already been selected in the spring for the ‘A’ level at some age groups.
This allows for some different options for all of our coaches and players as we begin another hockey season. As always, parents are reminded to watch the website regularly for information and updates as things do change frequently throughout the season. Teams previously selected at the ‘A’ level watch your team pages, as always. Those continuing in tryouts watch the appropriate age group team pages with the ’AE’ designation. Local league players will follow along on their appropriate age group ‘Blue’ team pages until the formation of all the teams has been completed – which will be by the end of September.
Here is an explanation of the start of the ice schedule to aid parents and players...
The previously selected ‘A’ teams will have practice ice times allocated and will play some pre-season
exhibition games and tournaments. We still have four (4) of our rep teams yet to hold their tryouts. The second entry teams for U11, U13, U15, and our U18 ‘A’ team will be offered ice time for conditioning skates, tryout skates, and then exhibition games. The second entry team information for U11, U13, and U15 will be found under the age group and ‘AE’ designation on the Cougars website. Once these teams are selected, the remaining players and those choosing to play local league will start their own conditioning skates, and then move to sorting skates for player evaluations. All information for local league will be found in the age group and ‘Blue’ team designation on the Cougars website. Once the local league player evaluations are completed, the local league teams will form and their practices will begin. Families will follow along on your respective team pages on the Cougars website. Our U5 players will start some conditioning of their own later in the month of September. We always see a variation in experience and ability in this age group. The first few weeks will allow all U5 players to get on the ice and get comfortable. The coaches will sort the players into groups after a few weeks and then the normal routine will begin for U5. Our U7 players will also start with conditioning to allow them to get their feet back under them. There will be three (3) different sessions for conditioning followed by two (2) evaluation sessions – for all players in the U7 age group. The coaches of the various U7 teams will then form the teams and the normal routine will begin for U7, as well. This year also sees the continuation of the MD program for U9. We are pleased to offer U9 MD teams in Mt. Brydges this season. The players who would like to be evaluated for the U9 MD program will start with their own conditioning skates. Then these players will move into the evaluation phase and the coaches will make their selections. Once the MD teams are selected, the remaining U9 players and those choosing to play local league will start conditioning skates, and then move to sorting skates for player evaluations. Once those local league evaluations are completed, the local league teams will form and their practices will begin and families will follow along on your respective team pages on the Cougars website. If you have any questions about the start of the season, please reach out to an executive member for clarification to ensure that your player does not miss out on anything.
Good luck to all Cougars teams this season!