A Message From The Coach: Rangers PeeWee AA Tryout Details

PWAA Welcome Letter

To prospective KGHA PeeWee AA players (2006, 2007) and parents for the 2018-19 season:

My name is Al Hicks, and I have the privilege of coaching the PWAA team for the 2018-19 season. This season will be my 8^th consecutive year being involved with girls’ hockey in the KGHA. I have had the opportunity to hold various positions (trainer, on-ice coach, assistant coach, and head coach), and learn from many excellent coaches. In addition to playing and/or coaching hockey for most of my life, I have been involved in other high-level sports for many years, in different capacities.

Philosophy:

My coaching philosophy is that every coach, every player, and every parent values the following essential elements: safety, fun/friendship, and development. These 3 elements all support one another and will result in the most successful improvement in game results. The coaching staff needs to be enthusiastic, communicative, knowledgeable, and helpful. There will be a strong emphasis on striving to improve our execution on the ice. Improvement in sport is a series of errors, mistakes, and setbacks, and when they are corrected, you begin to approach your potential.

The major emphasis for development will be on-ice development of the players (technical skills, tactical skills, and team play/strategy), but it will also include off-ice development (team building, group interaction, physical conditioning, mental skills training, and nutrition). Maximizing their physical development as hockey players and athletes, as well as their intrapersonal and interpersonal development as people, will help them thrive in all aspects of their lives.

The team environment, on and off the ice, needs to be fun, positive, educational, and supportive. At the AA level, it also requires an elevated level of commitment and excellent communication between and amongst the coaching staff, players, and parents.

Schedule, Commitment, Budget, Tryouts:

The weekly schedule during the season will likely include 4-5 ice times per week, and sometimes 1 dryland session per week. All efforts will be made to schedule the dryland sessions directly before or after practice sessions. All players will be required to attend all team events unless there are overriding family or school commitments or injury/illness. I am anticipating team fees to be approximately $1900/player in addition to the KGHA registration costs. Once the team has been finalized, I will welcome ideas for fundraising and sponsorship efforts to offset player costs.

Proposed tournaments are:

1. September - Oakville Hornets Rep Harvest Classic Tournament
2. October - Etobicoke Dolphins Pink the Rink Tournament
3. November - Kanata Annual Competitive Tournament 
4. December - Bell Capital Cup
5. February - Nepean Annual Tournament
6. April - Provincials (If team qualifies)

The tryout schedule is included here, and is also posted on the KGHA website:

CLICK HERE TO REFER TO MASTER TRYOUT SCHEDULE FOR DATES & TIMES.

I would like to welcome all 2006 and 2007 born players interested in participating in the tryout process and I wish all players the best of luck with the rest of their current seasons and during tryouts.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Al Hicks
Head Coach, KGHA Rangers PWAA
allenhickspt@gmail.com
613-807-1515