FAYETTE AREA YOUTH HOCKEY ASSOCIATION PLAYER/PARENT REGISTRATION AND TRYOUT INFORMATION

FAYETTE AREA YOUTH HOCKEY ASSOCIATION PLAYER/PARENT REGISTRATION AND TRYOUT INFORMATION

Founded in 2010, FAYHA is a non profit community of some 95+ families who come together each year to offer our youth a chance to play the great game of ice hockey. With at least 6 travel teams, at least 3 Mite Jamboree teams, and a Transition Program, we continue to grow our organization and place competitive teams at all levels of competition. FAYHA strives to provide our players with a competitive and complete youth hockey experience. Our belief is that every player s hockey experience should include improvement in fundamental hockey skills as well as life lessons learned through the team experience. For families interested in competitive travel hockey, the FAYHA program has been regarded as one of the best values in our area. In our tryout system, players are ranked on their fundamental skills and again in game situations. Placement is based on what the tryout committee believes will constitute the best assembled team. All the key information you need to prepare for the upcoming year is contained in this newsletter. Thank you for your support. We look forward to another great hockey season in 2016 2017! FAYHA travel teams play in the Pittsburgh Amateur Hockey League (PAHL) for all age levels for youth (co ed). Travel is typically limited to the Western PA region, nearby Morgantown, WV and some trips to State College, Erie, Lawrence County, PA, and Youngstown, OH. For player development, FAYHA believes our teams are best placed where they have the opportunity to both win and lose games in a competitive setting. FAYHA is in favor of the PAHL placement process, conducted by pre season scrimmages. It is important for teams wanting to improve pre season placement to compete and win placement games. Fayette Area Youth Hockey Association is a registered member of USA Hockey, Inc. and abides by all of its rules and regulations governing amateur hockey. FAYHA also belongs to the Pittsburgh Amateur Hockey League (PAHL) and abides by all of its rules and regulations governing league play. Player participants are placed in one of five age groups at the beginning of the competitive season. The groups are determined by a participant's age as of January 1 preceding the beginning of a season. The age classifications are as listed on the USA Hockey website. PLAYING "UP" FAYHA discourages players from playing above their age classifications. Players may move upward in age classifications only under the following circumstances and under the guidelines recommended by USA Hockey, the PAHL, and FAYHA policy. NOTE: There is no playing up from Mite to Squirt per USA Hockey policy. At the request of the parent:

The player must register and participate in both teams tryout sessions. It is recommended that the player demonstrate that he/she is among the top five players of the older age classification, and that he/she demonstrates the mental maturity to compete at the older age classification. The player CANNOT displace an age appropriate player from a higher age classification team. A player may not play up to an older age classification if the move up results in the lower age classification not having enough players to field a team. If no age appropriate team is available: If there is no team at the player's appropriate competitive level in his/her classification, and the player is capable of playing at a higher age classification (for example, if a child is capable of playing at Pee Wee AA but FAYHA is not fielding a team at that level, the player may play at the Bantam A or AA level if he/she is capable of doing so) they may be moved up upon FAYHA Executive Board approval. Other circumstances: FAYHA understands that there might be circumstances in which a player could be considered to play at one level higher (one year) than their age appropriate playing level. In such circumstances, parents must submit a letter to the FAYHA Executive Board detailing the reasons why they are requesting such a move. The Executive Board will then make a decision whether to grant the move or not. COMPETITIVE HOCKEY All FAYHA teams are registered and play under the rules established by USA Hockey. Teams are formed in all age divisions and will compete as "AA", "A" Major and/or Minor, or "B" divisions. If there are sufficient numbers of available players, multiple teams may exist at each age level. FAYHA hockey is intended to offer a progressive, developmental hockey experience for all players. Each competitive level has differing objectives and goals: "B" This levels focus is the development of the basic skills needed to play hockey and learning the fundamentals of game and position play. The emphasis is on learning and developing, not winning. Typically, "B" teams at the Mite through Bantam levels are comprised of players who are first year players or returning players who are still developing their hockey and game skills at that particular level. "A" The A level introduces a more competitive team based level of play while continuing to enhance individual skills. These players typically are returning players who understand the concepts of team and position play, game situations, and have the necessary skating and other skills to be successful at this level. Of the three competitive levels, the A level will often have the broadest range of skill attainment by individual players. The A division is further defined by the "Major" and "Minor" categories, and teams

are formed at these levels dependent upon the number of players available and the skills of those players demonstrated during tryouts and early season scrimmages. "AA" The AA level is the highest competitive level in the PAHL. Players at this level are highly developed in their skating, hockey, and game skills. Coaching and development at this level is focused on refining concepts of team play, introduction of more complex game strategy, and honing the individual's hockey skills. At the Pee Wee, Bantam, and Midget level, these teams are considered to be "Tier II" and may elect to compete in the post season playoffs to qualify for the USA Hockey National Championship tournament. It is important to note, that FAYHA s philosophy of competitive play emphasizes participation by ALL team members. FAYHA coaches are to provide all players equivalent playing opportunities as game conditions permit. At the same time, players earn playing time by effort in practice and playing team hockey as well as a player s attitude and respect for his/her teammates and respect for the game. All players will play a reasonable amount of time each game to be determined by the head coach. At the Mite and Squirt levels, playing time should be similar for all players provided that players have fulfilled their practice obligations. Squirt AA, Pee Wee, Bantam and Midget divisions are more competitive and some imbalance of playing time may occur due to penalty kill and power play situations. In the last period of any game, the head coach has the option to shorten the bench based upon the score of the game. If you believe that this philosophy is not being followed properly for your child, you should first observe a 24 hour cooling off period, then contact the FAYHA Parent Liaison with your concerns and arrange a discussion with the head coach if necessary. Most of the time, your concerns can be addressed at this level. All players are expected to attend scheduled practices to be considered for equal play. Players or their families are required to inform the head coach in advance if a practice cannot be made. REGISTRATION Registration fees are established annually by the FAYHA Board and are based on the projected budget for the coming season. A number of factors determine annual playing fees, but the two most significant variables are our expected ice costs and the number of players we expect to roster for the season. Other important variables include sponsorships, fundraising and changes in EMT and Referee charges. FAYHA requires that all players who attend FAYHA team tryouts to have their USAHockey IMR number, pay a $50 non refundable tryout fee and have all necessary paperwork filled out at the time they register for tryouts.

PLAYER REGISTRATION Players must have completed all USA Hockey required documents and paid all prescribed fees prior to participation in scrimmages, exhibition games, tournaments, or P.A.H.L. league games. Players that are not registered with FAYHA are absolutely not permitted to participate in any on ice or off ice (dryland) practices with a FAYHA team. Participation by unregistered players in FAYHA practices voids the USA Hockey insurance for all team members and the Association and places the coach, parents, and Association at risk. The only exception to this policy is when a player or players are participating in a practice for the purpose of team placement evaluation by the Association. In this case, advance approval for the player's participation must be obtained from both the FAYHA Vice President and President. REGISTRATION PROCESS Opens April 1st 2016 Register with USA Hockey Start by getting a 2016 17 USA Hockey registration number (IMR). USA Hockey 2016 2017 registration will open on April 1, 2016 online at http://www.usahockeyregistration.com. A credit card is required to pay. Register for Fayette Area Youth Hockey Association Registration opens online April 1st for all players If registering prior to team placement: With your 2016 17 USA Hockey registration number in hand, go to the FAYHA web site at www.theiceminers.com and complete the registration process. Once registered, pay at least the commitment fee of $200 with credit card online. Bring receipt to tryouts for proof of payment. Print and complete the online forms. Please bring the completed mandatory USA Hockey and FAYHA forms to the tryouts. Print, sign and submit the following forms: 1. USA Hockey IMR 2. Consent to Treat 3. Player Code of Conduct & Parent Code of Conduct 4. Fundraising Contract If registering at team placement acceptance: Please see the Post Tryout section (Page 8) Season Tuition

The total tuition for the 2016 2017 season is $875 if paid on or prior to accepting team placement by May 1, 2016. The tuition total will be $900 if paid after May 1, 2016. Families with more than one child playing for FAYHA will receive a $50 discount for each additional child (no discount for first child). Fees can be paid in full or on a payment schedule. FAYHA has two payment options for tuition: A Pay In Full one payment option or a four payment plan (commitment, August 1, October 1, December 1) which allows players to spread their tuition out over a several month period. This is not a pay as you go plan. If a player decides they no longer want to play hockey part way through the season, the player is still responsible for the remaining balance of the season s tuition. Extenuating circumstances may exist and, in those cases, the Executive Board will make the final decision. Please be aware the season tuition does not include equipment, jerseys and socks, tournaments, overnight stays, scrimmages or playoffs, etc. All prior season balances with FAYHA and other PAHL associations must be settled before a player may be permitted to tryout. Team fees are expected to be paid in full no later than December 1, 2016. FAYHA reserves the right to keep a player off the ice until the player account is in good standings. Refunds If a player makes a team, accepts the position, pays the $200 commitment fee and then decides to leave FAYHA, their $200 commitment fee WILL NOT BE refunded, except if you decline your position within the one week declaration period of rosters being posted and notification of roster position. All declinations must be made in writing by email to the FAYHA President or by mail, hand delivery in care of. PO Box 123 Leisenring, PA 15455. If a player has pre registered and does not make a team, the registration fee will be refunded. Please note: the $50 tryout fee will not be refunded. TRYOUT PROCESS Team players are selected after a series of open tryouts. Tryouts are typically held in the spring of each year. Players are required to attend all tryout sessions at their selected level to receive proper evaluation for placement. The goal of the tryouts is to assess the comparative skill levels and playing abilities of each child to place him or her on a team that is best suited to their current skill level and that will enable the child to develop during the coming season. FAYHA also attempts to assemble teams that have the best opportunity for success in a competitive environment. Following the tryouts, players will be offered a spot on a team roster. Once a player is offered and accepts a team assignment, he/she is expected to fulfill their commitment for the entire season. Any player who quits a team after accepting a roster spot prior to October 1st will forfeit their commitment fee. Any player, who quits a team after October 1st, will be responsible for the entire season tuition. The player will not be released from FAYHA until his/her financial responsibility is satisfied. There may be circumstances (ie. a player moving out of the area) that the Executive Board may release the player without the financial responsibility. These circumstances would have to be brought to the Executive Board s attention.

All players are subject to USA Hockey eligibility rules, and team rosters are limited to a maximum of twenty players. At the Squirt, Peewee, Bantam and Midget age classifications, a minimum of nine skaters and a goalie must be on a team in order to compete in the PAHL. Mites The Mite program is ideally designed for, but not limited to, players who have previously played on a travel team or who have completed some kind of program, for example: Little Penguins or the FAYHA Transition Program, the previous year. The Mite program is for any player born in 2008 or younger. The Mite program participants will be registered through PAHL and will participate in approximately 10 home or away jamborees and, possibly, different tournaments throughout the season. For the 2016 2017 season, the Mites will be evaluated during the Tryout sessions and each player will receive a review of their evaluation. This review will let the player and his/her parents know what they need to work on over the summer and into the fall evaluation practices. In addition to the Spring Evaluation, mite team participants will be further evaluated by the ADM Coordinator for the first 4 6 weeks of the season, usually mid August to the end of September. The players will then be placed on individual teams of 9 12 players per team based on a combination of their evaluation score and their level of play in the previous 4 6 weeks. The number of players per team will depend upon the number of players at each level (Red, White and Blue). All Mite aged players will be placed on a team. Injured players: If a returning FAYHA player is injured and unable to attend the tryouts, the player will be tentatively offered a spot on either an A or B team. The player will then be evaluated in the fall at one or two team practices before the season begins for final team placement. The player will be reassigned to a higher competitive level ONLY IF a roster spot exists on the other team and the player demonstrates the ability to play at the higher level. The FAYHA does not guarantee placement at any particular level for any injured player, but will make every effort to place the player at the proper competitive level. FILLING ROSTER SPOTS AFTER TRYOUTS: FAYHA exists to provide children the opportunity to play hockey. We will make every attempt to provide an appropriate roster spot to a child who wishes to play hockey but contacts FAYHA following our team selection and player placement process. If a roster spot becomes available between the time player placement is completed in the spring and the beginning of the competitive season in September, FAYHA will first consider those players who attended our spring tryouts and have accepted roster spots on lower classified teams. If a player was evaluated as

having the ability to play at the higher level but insufficient roster spots were available for him/her at the time of original team placement, the player may be offered the opportunity to "move up" to the higher competitive level. FAYHA may, at the Executive Board's discretion, also hold a supplemental tryout in the late summer to fill open roster spots. Current FAYHA players on lower competitive level teams may attend supplemental tryouts for higher level teams, along with any non FAYHA members who are interested in participating in our program. If a roster spot becomes available on a team after pre season practices begin, a single tryout session may be held. Current FAYHA players on lower competitive teams, and/or non FAYHA member players can be evaluated for the open roster spot. The open roster spot will be offered to the child who demonstrates the best ability and potential to compete at the team's level. FAYHA may charge a small fee to cover the cost of additional ice time for the evaluation. Players who contact FAYHA after our teams are selected will be evaluated for placement only if a roster spot is available at the child's age group. Roster additions after the start of the competitive season may be made with the approval of the FAYHA Board and after an assessment of the player to be added. Roster additions can be made through December 31st of the competitive season. Any additions to rosters after the start of the competitive season are subject to review by the PAHL Placement Committee. TRYOUT DETAILS DAY OF TRYOUT/CHECK IN Fees due at registration: All players and goaltenders must bring a $50 non refundable tryout fee check, made payable to, to the first day of tryouts. If pre registered, please bring your receipt. Arrive at the rink for your designated tryout in plenty of time to check in and change. Have FAYHA paperwork filled out and signed, and a check for $50 made out to FAYHA Ice Miners. You will be given a tryout number that you will use for the duration of tryouts. Each player must bring both a white jersey and a black (or blue) jersey. No player names should be visible on the jerseys. POST TRYOUTS: What Happens Next?

The team assignments will be posted to our website at www.theiceminers.com on or around Monday April 11, 2016. No names will be posted to the website. Players will be identified by tryout number only. In order to accept a position, players have until Tuesday April 19, 2016 to respond with an email to the FAYHA President via the contact information located in the Board Members tab at www.theiceminers.com. Players that accept a position at this time have until May 1, 2016 to register and pay their $200 commitment fee or they will forfeit their roster position. Commitment fee is applied to season tuition should position be accepted. FAQ: TRYOUTS WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF TRYOUTS? THE PURPOSE OF TRYOUTS IS TO EVALUATE AND IDENTIFY EACH PLAYER S CURRENT AND POTENTIAL SKILL LEVEL SO EACH PLAYER IS PLACED ON THE APPROPRIATE TEAM. THE TRYOUT COMMITTEE S PURPOSE IS TO ASSEMBLE EITHER A BEST TEAM, EQUAL LEVEL TEAMS, OR A COMBINATION THEREOF. WHO ARE THE EVALUATORS? THE EVALUATORS ARE SELECTED FOR THEIR KNOWLEDGE OF THE GAME OF HOCKEY, FAMILIARITY WITH THE DEVELOPMENTAL NEEDS OF THE LEVEL BEING EVALUATED, AND THEIR REPUTATION AS OBJECTIVE AND IMPARTIAL EVALUATORS. THERE ARE APPROXIMATELY FOUR EVALUATORS FOR EACH LEVEL. HOW ARE THE PLAYERS EVALUATED? EACH EVALUATOR WILL INDEPENDENTLY GRADE EACH PLAYER IN A WIDE RANGE OF SKILLS DURING THE FIRST AND SECOND SESSIONS. A THIRD SESSION WILL TAKE PLACE TO FURTHER EVALUATE THE PLAYERS IN GAME LIKE SITUATIONS. PLAYER PLACEMENTS ARE BASED ON WHAT THE TRYOUT COMMITTEE BELIEVES WILL CONSTITUTE THE APPROPRIATELY ASSEMBLED TEAMS AND LEVEL FOR INDIVIDUALS. WHAT IS THE MITE TRYOUT PROCESS? THE MITES WILL HAVE AN EVALUATION TRYOUT. IN OTHER WORDS, THEY WILL NOT BE PLACED ON A SPECIFIC TEAM AT THE END OF THE THIRD TRYOUT LIKE THE OLDER AGE GROUPS ARE. EACH PLAYER WILL RECEIVE AN EVALUATION REVIEW WHICH WILL HELP THE PLAYER KNOW WHAT THEY NEED TO WORK ON DURING THE SUMMER AND IN THE FALL. THE EVALUATION SCORE WILL BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH FALL PRACTICE EVALUATIONS FOR TEAM PLACEMENT BY THE ADM COORDINATOR AND THE TRYOUT COMMITTEE. ALL MITE AGED PLAYERS WILL BE PLACED ON A TEAM IN THE FALL.

DO THE EVALUATORS KNOW EACH PARTICIPANT'S NAMES? ALL PLAYERS ARE GIVEN AN ANONYMOUSLY ASSIGNED NUMBER AND WILL BE TOLD WHAT COLOR JERSEY THEY SHOULD WEAR, WHITE OR DARK. THE EVALUATOR WILL EVALUATE THE PLAYER S NUMBER AND COLOR. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT EACH PLAYER IS CERTAIN TO HAVE THE SAME NUMBER AND COLOR FOR ALL TRYOUT SESSIONS. CAN THE PARENTS OR PLAYERS SPEAK WITH ANY OF THE EVALUATORS DURING THE TRYOUT PROCESS? TO MAINTAIN THEIR OBJECTIVITY, ALL EVALUATORS ARE PROHIBITED FROM DISCUSSING ANY ASPECT OF THE EVALUATION PROCESS WITH ANY PARENT OR PLAYER UNTIL ALL TEAM PLACEMENT IS COMPLETED. WE ASK THAT PARENTS AND PLAYERS NOT PLACE ANY EVALUATOR OR BOARD MEMBER IN AN UNCOMFORTABLE POSITION BY ASKING ANY INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS PROCESS. WHAT DOES A PLAYER DO IF THEY CANNOT ATTEND ONE OF THE TRYOUT SESSIONS? IF A PLAYER IS GOING TO MISS ALL OR PART OF THE TRYOUT PROCESS DUE TO INJURY, ILLNESS OR A SCHOOL RELATED CONFLICT, YOU MUST STILL REGISTER AND PAY YOUR COMMITMENT FEE. YOU MUST ALSO NOTIFY THE FAYHA PRESIDENT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. WE WILL DO OUR BEST TO ACCOMMODATE A PLAYER S ABSENCE WITHIN THE TRYOUT PROCESS. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PLAYER TO GIVE NOTICE. WHAT IF I WISH TO TRYOUT FOR AN OLDER AGE GROUP? MITES ARE NOT ALLOWED TO PLAY UP WITH AN OLDER AGE GROUP PER PAHL AND USA HOCKEY RULES. SQUIRTS AND PEEWEES WHO WISH TO TRYOUT FOR AN OLDER AGE GROUP, NEED PRIOR APPROVAL FROM FAYHA AND MUST ALSO TRYOUT WITHIN THEIR OWN AGE GROUP, NO EXCEPTIONS. WILL THE PLAYER MOVING UP AN AGE GROUP BE ABLE TO GET THE ICE TIME AND KEY SITUATIONS SO CRUCIAL FOR DEVELOPMENT OR IS HE/SHE BETTER OFF WITH MORE SUCCESS AT A LOWER LEVEL? AS A GENERAL RULE WE WANT TO SEE PLAYERS TAKING AN OLDER PLAYER S ROSTER SPOT TO BE ONE OF THE TOP 5 PLAYERS AT TRYOUTS TO MOVE UP. WHAT IF I OWE FAYHA OR ANOTHER PAHL ASSOCIATION MONEY? ALL PRIOR SEASON BALANCES WITH FAYHA AND OTHER PAHL ASSOCIATIONS MUST BE SETTLED BEFORE A PLAYER MAY BE PERMITTED TO TRYOUT. TEAM TUITION IS EXPECTED TO BE PAID IN FULL NO LATER THAN DECEMBER 1st. FAYHA RESERVES THE RIGHT TO KEEP PLAYERS OFF THE ICE UNTIL THE PLAYER ACCOUNT IS IN GOOD STANDING.

PLAYER AND TEAM PLACEMENT HOW WILL TEAM SELECTIONS BE DETERMINED? IF NEEDED AFTER THE FINAL SESSION OF EACH LEVEL, IF THERE IS MORE THAN ONE TEAM, THE EVALUATORS SCORE WILL BE ADDED AND THE SELECTION OF PLAYERS WILL BE DETERMINED BY OVERALL RANKINGS. THE EVALUATORS SCORES WILL BE USED TO DETERMINE A PLAYER S PLACEMENT ON THE TEAM. HOW ARE PLAYERS NOTIFIED THEY MADE A TEAM? TRYOUT RESULTS WILL BE POSTED ON www.theiceminers.com BY APRIL 12th, 2016. FOR MINOR S PRIVACY, NO NAMES WILL BE POSTED TO THE WEBSITE. PLAYERS WILL BE IDENTIFIED BY TRYOUT NUMBER ONLY. WHO WILL COACH THE TEAM? SOME OF OUR COACHES HAVE KIDS IN THE PROGRAM AND WE WON T KNOW UNTIL AFTER THE TRYOUTS WHERE THOSE KIDS ARE PLACED. TO KEEP THE PLACEMENT PROCESS HONEST FAYHA CAN T NAME COACHES UNTIL AFTER THE TRYOUT COMMITTEE PICKS THE TEAMS. COACHES WILL BE ANNOUNCED AS TRYOUT RESULTS AND TEAMS ARE POSTED ONLINE. HOW IS THE COMPETITIVE LEVEL OF EACH TEAM DETERMINED? AFTER PLAYERS AND A HEAD COACH ARE IDENTIFIED, A PRELIMINARY COMPETITIVE LEVEL IS ASSIGNED (AA, A MAJOR, A MINOR, B). THIS LEVEL IS BASED ON THE SKILL LEVEL OF THE PLAYERS AND THE EXPECTED LEVEL OF COMPETITION WITHIN THE PARTICULAR DIVISION. THE PAHL TEAM PLACEMENT COMMITTEE WILL MAKE THE FINAL DECISION AT THE END OF SEPTEMBER, IT IS NOT A FAYHA DECISION. WHEN MUST MY CHILD MAKE A COMMITMENT TO DECLINE OR ACCEPT A ROSTER POSITION? ON THE DESIGNATED DATE FOLLOWING THE POSTED ROSTER POSITIONS, FOR THIS YEAR, TUESDAY APRIL 19. 2016. PLAYERS MUST EMAIL THE FAYHA PRESIDENT VIA THE INFORMATION LOCATED IN THE BOARD MEMBERS TAB AT WWW.THEICEMINERS.COM TO ACCEPT OR DECLINE. PLAYERS THAT ACCEPT THEIR TEAM PLACEMENT MUST THEN REGISTER AND PAY THE $200 COMMITMENT FEE BY MAY 1, 2016 OR WILL FORFEIT THEIR ROSTER POSITION.