Burnaby Wildcats

Team Evaluations

Your Guide to 2025 Rep Tryouts

Burnaby Wildcats – Team Evaluations

We’re excited to welcome players back to the ice for the upcoming season! Rep tryouts are an important part of building competitive teams, and our goal is to ensure the process is fair, consistent, and supportive for every player.

Burnaby Female Ice Hockey Association

Rep Tryouts

Rep Commitment

All Families and players are expected to review and sign the BFIHA Rep Hockey Agreement before their first evaluation.

Timeline

  • Tryouts begin: Tuesday, September 2, 2025
  • Team rosters finalized by: Sunday, September 21, 2025

Exact ice times and session assignments will be shared at least two weeks in advance via TeamSnap.

General Overview

Each age group (U11–U18) will go through two evaluation rounds, which will include at least three sessions, that may include skills-based sessions (skating, puck control, shooting, passing) and/or scrimmages (game play, positioning, teamwork)

Note: The number and order of sessions may vary by age group. Our focus is to give each player a fair opportunity to demonstrate both their skills and their game play.

Pinnies will be assigned at the first session and should be worn at each subsequent tryout.

Evaluation Committee

Players will be assessed by a panel that may include:

  • Independent evaluators
  • Rep coaches
  • Independent goalie evaluators

To ensure fairness, parents are asked to respect designated viewing areas and avoid direct communication with evaluators during the process.

Attendance

Full attendance at tryouts is expected. If a session must be missed, it will hinder the players ability to be properly evaluated.

  • All players trying out for rep hockey are expected to attend ALL tryout sessions.
  • A player who has registered for rep hockey but is unable to attend tryouts due to sickness or injury must provide a confirming letter from a physician, no later than Labour Day, and before taking the ice for any further rep evaluations.
    • In such circumstances: If the player’s injury prevents the player from completing the tryout process, the player will be assessed by the rep coaches for that division and/or BFIHA executive after the earliest medical approval date.

A rep coach may choose to hold a position on his/her team if he/she is positive that the player, as shown from his/her past history, would be selected to that team. This position may only be held for an injured player if the player has a letter from a physician stating the player is expected to be able to play hockey by October 31, 2025. If a position is held for an injured player, that player must pay the rep tryout fee and any associated rep fees prior to playing with the team.

A player who has registered for rep hockey at the U15 or U18 level who must miss any rep tryout session due to conflicting attendances at an Academy, AAA Zone or Junior team tryouts must provide 24-hour prior notification to your Division Manager via email as an exceptional circumstance.

A player who has registered for rep hockey but is unable to attend a rep tryout session due to exceptional personal circumstances must seek permission in advance of the session to be missed by way of a letter/email to the Division Manager who will inform the BFIHA Board to determine whether to approve the request.

Should any of the tryout sessions be missed for reasons other than injury, illness, or exceptional circumstances, (i.e. family vacation), this is at the discretion of the family and in doing so, forfeits their ability or right to express any issues or discontent over the amount of evaluation the player received during the attended sessions.

First round and final pool placements or releases to alternate teams are at the Head Coaches discretion and are considered FINAL decisions and may not be appealed.

Evaluation Criteria

Players will be assessed on both on-ice skills and off-ice factors, including:

  • Core skills: skating, puck handling, passing, shooting
  • Game sense: positioning, decision-making, awareness
  • Effort, work ethic, and coachability
  • Team play and attitude toward peers and coaches
  • Positional fit, team balance, and age distribution

Criteria may vary slightly by age group to reflect developmental needs.

Evaluation Process

Round 1
  • Each age group will have a minimum of three sessions that may include skill-based sessions and/or scrimmages.
  • Players must wear either a black or white jersey to ensure their pinnies are easily identifiable for the evaluators.
  • Players may be divided into smaller groups to ensure fair ice time and evaluation.
  • At least two independent evaluators will assess each player using a standardized rubric developed by Burnaby Female Ice Hockey Association.
  • Releases will be based on evaluator scores, positions available, and the number of players trying out.
  • Families will be informed by the Division Manager if their player is released from Round 1, along with next steps.
  • All decisions are final and made in the best interest of the players and teams.
Round 2
  • Each age group will have a minimum of two sessions that may include team practices, scrimmages, and/or exhibition games.
  • Rep Head Coaches will evaluate players on and off the ice, and may also request independent evaluator support.
  • Final rosters will be determined by the Rep Head Coach in consultation with evaluators and the selection committee.
  • Families will be informed by the Division Manager if their player is released from Round 2, along with next steps. Families can request to receive feedback within 48 hours.
  • All decisions are final and made in the best interest of the players and teams.

Parent Role

Your role is to support your player by encouraging them to try their best and enjoy the process.

We ask that parents:

  • Keep feedback positive and supportive.
  • Respect the evaluation process and evaluators.
  • Avoid sideline coaching during sessions.

Important Note

The Wildcats reserve the right to adjust session types, timelines, and evaluation formats as needed. Our commitment is that the overall process will remain fair, transparent, and in the best interest of the players.