Greetings Mt. Lebanon High School Hockey Association families:

In advance of tryouts, we are sharing accountability and commitment expectations for players who are selected to varsity or junior varsity teams. 

We also wanted to provide details on the tryout process. 

A full list of expectations for all teams/levels will be communicated after tryouts in the updated 2022-23 Mt. Lebanon High School Hockey Association program outline/season plan.

Commitment

All varsity and junior varsity players are expected to attend all team events and functions (including offseason weightlifting and conditioning) except in the case of the following circumstances:

1. Conflict with an amateur hockey game the same day as a practice

2. College interview/visit

3. Illness/family emergency

4. Family vacation or work commitment (offseason only) 

5. Conflict with a sport that is already in season (summer and fall only)

All other reasons for absences will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. If they are determined to be unexcused, these absences will result in a reduction in playing time. 

Ice time

Playing time is earned, based on effort, attitude, knowledge of and adherence to the team systems/structure and overall skill level.

Roles 

Specific roles and expectations for each player on the varsity team will be communicated consistently throughout the season. These roles might or might not be adjusted and might or might not be different from the roles players have on their amateur teams.

Tryout process

The tryout schedule has been communicated and is available on the website. Tryouts will be open to the parents. Designated areas will be blocked off for parents to watch, separate from where the evaluators sit.  Parents will not be able to consult with the evaluators until the tryout process is complete and should reach out to Winston Simmonds, Director of Coaching (director_coaching@lebohockey.org) with any questions about team selection.

Players will be evaluated in multiple areas, including: speed; quickness; agility; strength; compete level; skating ability; puck skills; shooting; passing; hockey sense; and decision making. 

Drills will focus on skating, skills, and battles, with each session culminating in full-ice scrimmages for a designated amount of time.  The proportion of scrimmage time will increase during each session.

Team selection

The director of coaching will act as a facilitator throughout the tryout process and evaluation.  The varsity head coach will have final say on the varsity roster after consulting with the other coaches. 

The varsity head coach and other coaches will evaluate and place players on JV1, JV2, and MS teams.  The goal will be to have the maximum number of players in the program as allowed per PIHL rules.  This year we plan to field 5 teams (varsity, junior varsity 1 and 2, middle school 1 and 2).

We intend to place every player on a team appropriate for the skill level where he/she will be successful. However, there may be cuts when a player is not selected for a team.  

Roster selection for varsity will be communicated no later than May 20, ideally in person. 

The remaining team selections will be announced no later than May 23.  

Selections will be communicated ideally by phone call and/or on the website. 

Off-season training will begin in June. Practice is expected to start for all teams the week of August 22. 

Middle school team restrictions

We are governed by USA Hockey regulations that mandate no more than 25% of any team roster may be composed of players “playing up” one year.  This rule applies to MS teams in the 14U classification composed of 13U/2009 birth year players and 14U/2008 birth year players.  As a result, this impacts how many 12U/2010 birth year players can be rostered on a MS team.  For example, a MS team with 20 players on the roster is limited to a maximum of five (5) 2010 birth year players.  For those 2010 birth year players not selected to a MS team, we plan on having a Jr. Blues development team (or teams) once again.

Conclusion

No matter the sport, season, or age group, we recognize tryouts are always stressful for players and families.  Encourage your sons and daughters to control what they can control – their effort and their attitudes.  We have no agenda other than to place players on a team commensurate for their ability.  We look forward to a spirited set of tryout sessions.

Thank you,

Winston Simmonds

Mt. Lebanon High Hockey Association Director of Coaching

Jeremy Church

Mt. Lebanon High Hockey Association Varsity Head Coach

Frequently Asked Questions about MLHSHA Tryouts

• 12th Grade Students should select "Varsity" from the Tryout Level dropdown menu.   
   
• 9th, 10th, and 11th Grade Students may try out for for the varsity and/or junior varsity teams.  Any player that wishes to try out for the varsity team should select "Varsity" from the Tryout Level dropdown menu.  Varsity tryouts and team placements will be completed before the commencement of JV tryouts, and any player - other than a 12th grader - who tries out for but is not placed on the varsity team will automatically be registered for and should attend JV tryouts.  Any player who wishes to try out exclusively for junior varsity should select “JV” from the Tryout Level dropdown menu.

• 6th, 7th, and 8th Grade Students should select "Middle School" from the Tryout Level dropdown menu.