The time has come, for us to welcome you to the U12 BB/B Cambridge
Hawks Spring Tryouts! I'm thrilled to be named Head Coach for this upcoming
season and am excited to begin the journey with our team. Tryouts officially
begin Saturday, May 3rd at Hespeler Arena.
As a former young player and now a hockey parent, I know this can be a
stressful time for everyone involved. My commitment is to lead a process that
is respectful, transparent, and focused on finding a group of athletes ready to
work hard, grow, and build something special together.
🗓️ Tryout
Schedule & Evaluation Timeline
Day One – Saturday, May 3 – 11:00 AM
📍 Hespeler Arena Rink 1
- Individual
Skills & Small Area Battles
- 🏒 Players:
Skating, passing, shooting, puck control, effort, and focus
- 🥅 Goalies:
Movement, angles, technique, effort, and focus
Day Two – Sunday, May 4 – 10:30 AM
📍 Hespeler Arena Rink 1
- Continued
Skills & Battles (reduction in numbers expected)
- 🏒 Players:
Same focus areas
- 🥅 Goalies:
Same focus areas
Day Three – Tuesday, May 6 – 7:00 PM
📍 Cambridge Sports Park Rink 4
- Intrasquad
Game #2 – Black vs. Red
- Emphasis
on game play under pressure, decision-making, and team dynamics
Day Four – Friday, May 9 – 6:00 PM
📍 Cambridge Sports Park Rink 4
- Exhibition
Game – Home vs. Brantford 99ers
- Final team
decisions to follow
🧠 Who Is Evaluating?
Tryouts will be assessed by a group of non-parent evaluators, as
well as myself. These independent voices help ensure a fair, balanced, and
objective selection process.
ALL on ice helpers and Evaluators are non-parents.
We currently have one additional non-parent Assistant Coach signed to
the team, Cam Flynn, and no other coaching staff decisions will be made until
after the team is selected.
Volunteers may be requested to support, with tryout tasks such as running doors for games, only after
their child has been registered to the team.
✅ Guaranteed Tryout Policy
Due to the new open border regulations, each player is guaranteed
one tryout.
Initial releases will occur following the first skate.
📢 How You'll Receive Updates
All updates regarding:
- Releases
- Game
lineups
- Important
information
…will be posted exclusively on the U12 BB/B Team Website. Please
check regularly for updates.
📬 Team Selection Process
This year, the registration process is fully electronic. If your
child is selected for the team, you will receive a registration link to
officially join.
Throughout tryouts, I may begin rostering select individuals. If your
child is offered a spot early, please keep this information private out
of respect for the ongoing process and the other families. We're building a
team rooted in respect and integrity.
NOTE: With open borders, there will inevitably be additional players
registered who show up later in the evaluation period due to scheduling
conflicts with other centers. We will be making every effort to provide all
registered players the opportunity to be evaluated, while also maintaining a
fairness to those who committed to CMHA.
In cases where fair evaluation cannot be offered, due to circumstances,
late to the process players may not be provided with an evaluation.
👨👩👧 Parent Guidelines
- Please
remain in designated viewing areas during evaluation – do not visit your
player on the bench during evaluations.
- Tryouts
are stressful for all, so please refrain from yelling instruction to your
young athlete in the midst of play.
- You are
welcome to approach me during tryouts with general questions – However, neither
I nor the evaluators will discuss evaluation thoughts or outcomes
during the process.
- I’m
looking forward to meeting and greeting everyone, so please feel free to
stop me anytime before or after each session, however I ask that you only
approach me for urgent matters once the skating begins – keeping in mind I
am also evaluating and cannot be distracted during the session.
- Let’s
model respect and patience for our players — this is an emotional time for
them too.
🙏 Thank You
Tryouts are made possible by dedicated volunteers and staff — thank you
for your support and positivity throughout.
I look forward to seeing you at the rink on Saturday.
Let’s get to work and enjoy the process. Good luck to all players!
Coach Mike Di Felice