Evaluations and Team Placement Guide

Millwoods Hockey Association – Evaluation & Team Selection Goals

  • Adhere to all Millwoods Hockey Association bylaws and established processes for evaluations and team selection.
  • Deliver fair, consistent, and unbiased assessments of player ability during both skills and game play sessions.
  • Give all players an equal opportunity to be assigned to a team that aligns with their current skill level based on on-ice performance.
  • Enable coaches to consider evaluation results along with coaching approach, effort, attitude, and in-game awareness when forming teams.
  • Ensure the evaluation process remains consistent from year to year so expectations are clear for players and families as they progress.
  • Create balanced teams that encourage competitive play, meaningful participation, skill development, and enjoyment of hockey.
  • Share feedback with coaches to support ongoing player development in targeted skill areas.

PLAYER ASSIGNMENT

 

Our evaluation system is built to help identify the best fit for each player so they can develop and enjoy their hockey experience. Placement decisions are made using results from both skill-based sessions and game situations, and players may be moved between groups as the process continues.

Initial Group Assignment

Following the Skills Evaluation skates, players are assigned to an initial evaluation group based on their assessment results.

These groups are then used during Game Play Evaluations to observe and assess player performance in a team environment.

MOVEMENT BETWEEN GROUPS

Throughout game play evaluations, players may be reassigned to different groups as needed. Those showing higher levels of performance may be moved to a more advanced group, while players who would benefit from additional development support may be moved to a more suitable group.

These decisions are made using feedback from the Competitive Thread staff and Millwoods Hockey Directors.

At the conclusion of the evaluation process, each player will be assigned to the group that best reflects their current abilities, ensuring they are placed in an environment that supports continued development and success.

Goaltender Evaluation

Goaltenders will begin the evaluation process with a goalie-only session held before any game play assessments. This skate is designed to evaluate core goaltending skills and assist in assigning players to their initial evaluation groups.

Following this, goaltenders will participate in three game play evaluation skates, where they will be assessed within full game situations alongside their peers.

Note:

Evaluation support will be provided by a third-party provider, which will be confirmed and shared once finalized.

Player Evaluations – Frequently Asked Questions

The following list addresses many of the most common questions that arise regarding the player evaluations and the overall process that is undertaken in order to place players on balanced and competitive teams.

 

When are the player evaluation sessions?

  • Evaluations are primarily held in September, though they may begin in late August.
  • Category Directors will clearly communicate which skate times are formal evaluation sessions.

Do U7 players undergo evaluations?

  • Discovery (first‑year players): No evaluations. Players are assigned directly to teams.
  • Jr/Sr Timbits: Players attend one 50-60‑minute skate to help place them with peers of similar skill level.

Where can I find evaluation schedules?

  • Dates vary by category and are communicated as early as possible.
  • Information is distributed by Category Directors and administrators, and posted on the Millwoods Hockey website.
  • Families will also receive skate times directly (via email or other communication) to ensure no player misses a session.

How many evaluation sessions are there?

  • U9 / U11 / U13: Typically one skating skills session, followed by 3–4 scrimmage games.

Who conducts the evaluations?

  • On‑ice coaches: Run drills and scrimmages.
  • Off‑ice evaluators: Assess each player’s performance during sessions.
  • Off‑ice administrators: Track results, manage scheduling, and communicate with families.

What equipment is required? Full hockey equipment is mandatory for all ice sessions (evaluations, practices, games, shinny). This includes:

  • Protective cup, shin pads, hockey socks, pants, skates, shoulder pads, elbow pads, gloves, neck guard, CSA‑approved helmet with full face shield, stick.
  • Mouth guard is recommended but not mandatory. Parents should check equipment fit before evaluations. If new skates are purchased, players should break them in with practice sessions before evaluations to avoid discomfort that could affect performance.

What should players do upon arrival at the arena?

  • Arrive at least 30 minutes before scheduled ice time.
  • Check in at the registration desk to receive a numbered pinny and final instructions.

Do evaluators know the players’ names?

  • Evaluators only see pinny numbers to ensure impartiality.

How are players notified of their progress?

  • Off‑ice administrators contact families after each session to share next skate times.
  • Information is not typically given at the rink.
  • Communication may be via email or posted online.

Are players evaluated in both skill and game environments?

  • Younger players are assessed more on skills, while older players are evaluated more heavily in scrimmage/game situations.
  • This ensures every player has a fair chance to demonstrate their abilities.

Have teams already been determined during evaluations?

  • Teams are not selected until all evaluations are complete.
  • Players are rotated through different groups and situations to assess individual skills.
  • Exhibition games or practices before official selections do not guarantee placement on a specific team.

Why isn’t my child grouped with last year’s teammates?

  • Evaluations are based on individual performance, not past team assignments.
  • Players are intentionally mixed to showcase skills in varied situations.
  • Teams are finalized only after evaluations conclude.

When are teams selected?

  • Typically within a week of the final evaluation session.
  • Updates are shared by Category Directors and posted on the Millwoods Hockey website.

How is evaluation information used?

  • Results are key indicators of player skills and potential.
  • Hockey Directors, Category Directors, and coaches use this data to place players at the appropriate level.

How can parents provide input?

  • Millwoods Hockey often conducts online surveys after evaluations and team selections.
  • Parents are encouraged to share feedback directly with Category and Hockey Directors and their assistants.

Team Selection FAQ – Millwoods Hockey Association

This section addresses common questions regarding how players are assigned to teams within Millwoods Hockey.

When are team selections completed?

Team selections are typically finalized within one week of evaluations ending for each category. Exact timelines are communicated by Category Directors and posted on the Millwoods Hockey website.

How is the number of teams determined?

The number of teams and roster sizes are determined by Category Directors in consultation with Hockey Directors, based on total registration numbers. These may vary from year to year.

Who is involved in team selections?

Team selections are made by the Head Coach, Hockey Director (or designate), Category Director (or designate), and supporting staff. The Operations Manager provides oversight to ensure all procedures follow association bylaws.

How are players assigned to teams?

Players are grouped within their age category based on evaluation results.

  • The highest-ranked players are placed on the top team.
  • Coaches then select players from the remaining pool to complete rosters, based on evaluation data and team needs.
  • This process continues through all teams within the category.
  • Final teams may be balanced where required to ensure competitive equity.

Can players move between categories?

Category movement is rare and must comply with Hockey Edmonton guidelines. All movements require approval from Hockey Edmonton.

Who makes the final decision on team assignments?

Final approval rests with the Millwoods Hockey Director in consultation with the Operations Manager.

What happens after teams are finalized?

Coaches will contact families directly to:

  • Introduce themselves and welcome players
  • Share team meeting details (if available)
  • Identify assistant coaches (if confirmed)
  • Provide practice and game schedules when available

Who should I contact with questions about evaluations or placement?

All inquiries should first be directed to the Category Director, who may escalate to the Operations Manager and Hockey Director if required. Evaluation results, rankings, and selection details are confidential and are not shared with families.

Can I appeal a team assignment?

Appeals are only considered if there is evidence that:

  • The process was not followed correctly
  • Bias or unfair treatment occurred
  • The decision was unreasonable or significantly outside expected standards

Disagreement with placement alone is not sufficient grounds for an appeal. Final decisions rest with the Hockey Director and Operations Manager, and all appeals must follow proper channels.

How is fairness maintained in the process?

Fairness is ensured through:

  • Strict adherence to Millwoods Hockey bylaws and procedures
  • Standardized evaluation criteria (skill, effort, attitude, and potential)
  • Neutral evaluators and removal of conflicts of interest
  • Oversight and review by Hockey and Operations leadership
  • Committee-based selection structure to prevent bias or team stacking

How can parents provide feedback?

Feedback may be collected through post-evaluation surveys or submitted directly to Category Directors or Hockey Director.

 

 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Millwoods Hockey wishes to recognize the contributions of Hockey Canada (and numerous other parties) that helped develop the initial framework and standard content for this document.