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Dear Parents and Players,
Welcome to the 2018-19 Cumberland Jr. Grads Major Bantam AA season!
My name is Mark Allen and I’m excited to be given the opportunity to coach your kids this year. I want to take this time to provide you with some details about my background, my philosophy, the tryouts and evaluations. As well, a few words on the commitment we are making, coaches, players and families for the upcoming year.
Background
For those of you that don’t know me, I’ve been the assistant coach with Sean Baptiste for the last couple of years, and have coached hockey, soccer and lacrosse for the last 8 years.
My goals for each season have been pretty simple but ambitious: I want all of the kids to develop skills they can use throughout their lives, the skills they need for the next level of hockey, and learn how much fun hockey can be so that they remain involved in the sport forever.
The primary way that kids have fun are making friends and being successful. We’ll use this year to enhance the skills that the kids have developed and to make friends with their teammates.
To that end we will be working on both individual skills, team skills and introducing team strategies to develop a successful program.
Tryouts and Evaluations
Evaluations will be conducted by independent elevators, coaches and overseen by the Cumberland Jr Grads executive. Players need to show up at tryouts properly prepared mentally and physically.
I’m looking to build a team that works hard, but that puts the team before the individual. This year, individualism on and off the ice or activities that are detrimental to the well-being of the team will not be tolerated.
Releases may occur after the first intra-squad game and after each subsequent intra-squad and/or exhibition game. Some details may change slightly but the overall approach will be the same. Players are reminded to bring their own water bottles.
If you have special accommodations (health related issues), please let me know in advance so that the trainers on the bench can be prepared.
Commitment
I will expect a high-level commitment from everyone involved with our program. We will average 3-4 sessions each week (practice, games and development sessions). Attendance for players will be mandatory unless players are sick and/or have prior approval.
Fees are expected to be approximately $1250.00 (to be discussed/confirmed) over and above the Cumberland Minor Hockey Association registration and Jr Grads tryout fees. Involvement from players and families will be expected for all team events and fundraising activities.
Once the team has been finalized, we will hold a parent's meeting to give you additional details on the up-coming season.
Acceptance of a position on the team also constitutes acceptance of the Cumberland Jr Grads Parent and Player Codes of Conduct.
Tournaments
The team is planning on participating in the following tournaments:
- Garden City Tournament, September 7-9th, Niagara-on-the-lake, On
- Capital Fall Classic, November 2-4th, Sensplex
- Silver Stick, Nov. 23 - 25, Pembroke, ON
- 15th Annual Capital Winter Classic, Jan 4-6th, Ottawa,
- (tentative) Port Huron Silver Stick, Jan 18-21st, Port Huron
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me at allens@rogers.com or phone/text me at 613-355-8860
I wish all players the best during tryouts.
Mark Allen
Head Coach
Major Bantam AA
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