Due to the projected volume of skaters who indicate they will be trying out for festival teams, we have revised the process this year. First, I need to thank all of you for bearing with us as we tried to work this out.

Initially, there will be two preliminary 45-minute periods. Each period will contain ½ of the skaters who register. During this period, skaters will be put through a number of skating and stick handling drills. Goalies need not attend these sessions unless they would like an intense skating experience. After these sessions, the evaluators will determine who they want to invite back to the next session later in the morning. It is expected that 45 to 50 or so skaters will be invited back.

At the 1 ½ hour session on Saturday, the remaining skaters will be joined by the goalies who are trying out. This session will consist of more drills that deal with passing, shooting, offensive and defensive play. Part of the session will involve scrimmaging. After this session, the evaluators will determine who to invite back for the Sunday tryout.

You will note there is only one U12 session on the first day, Saturday. Only skaters need come to that session. Goalies will be expected at the Sunday session. If a third evaluation session is needed, it may occur on Feb 28th in Waterbury or the following weekend or week depending on the availability of those invited to the tryout. We decided to spread the U12 evaluation process out over time because the showcase for the U12s does not occur until April. We needed the extra ice this created on the 24th for a second evaluation period for the U14s.

The U14s will have a tournament game Saturday morning the 24th. Players at the U14 level who play in that game and wish to try out for all stars are expected to attend the 12:40 PM session on the 24th. U12 players who participate in that game will be expected to attend the Sunday session. If the tournament conflicts with the U12 Sunday session, those U12 skaters should contact Bob Greemore at rgreemore@msn.com to find out when the next evaluation session will occur. Only players who participate in a VSAHA tournament game that conflicts with their tryout session may make up the try out sessions.