U9 Competitive Tryouts 2026-27

U9 Pathway Skate Schedule

As part of Hockey Canada's Player Pathway model, all U9 players will have the opportunity to participate in Player Pathway Skates before Competitive tryouts begin. These sessions are designed to introduce players to the ice in a fun, low-pressure environment before any formal evaluations take place.

Pathway Skates are optional, included with registration, and are not evaluated.

DATE	TIME	LOCATION	DESCRIPTION
Sat, Sept 5	9:15 a.m.	Minto Recreation Complex - South	Pathway Skate 1
Sat, Sept 12	8:15 a.m.	Minto Recreation Complex - South	Pathway Skate 2
Sun, Sept 13	12:15 p.m.	Minto Recreation Complex - South	Pathway Skate 3

U9 Competitive Tryout Schedule

The schedule for the 2026-2027 U9 Competitive Tryouts is as follows:

DATE	TIME	LOCATION	DESCRIPTION
Fri, Sept 18	6:15 p.m.	Nepean Sportsplex 2	Tryout Skills (All players registered will participate as a skater)
Sat, Sept 19	7:15 a.m.	Nepean Sportsplex 2	Goalie Evaluation (Goalies ONLY)
Sat, Sept 19	8:15 a.m.	Nepean Sportsplex 2	Tryout Scrimmage (All players registered will participate as a skater. Possible releases after this session)
Sun, Sept 20	9:30 a.m.	Nepean Sportsplex 3	Final Tryout Scrimmage (All players registered will participate as a skater)

*Note: these dates are subject to change and may need to be updated closer to the tryout dates. Please check this website periodically to ensure you have the correct tryout times.

Check-in for all tryout sessions will begin 45 minutes prior to the scheduled start time.

Registration

*Registration is now closed*

Fees & Jerseys

The U9 Competitive Tryout fee is $125. Tryout fees are non-refundable.

Players require NGHA-issued tryout jerseys, which must be purchased through RAMP during tryout registration. Jerseys cannot be purchased at the rink.

New jerseys will be available for pickup at the rink immediately prior to your daughter's first tryout session.

If your daughter has an NGHA tryout jersey from last season, please reuse it and confirm her jersey number at the registration desk.

Eligibility

Players who were registered last season with another OWHA-affiliated association must provide either:

a signed PTS form (available here), or
a formal release from their previous association.

Documentation must be emailed to the Competitive Directors before the player's first tryout session.

The NGHA Import Policy can be found here.

Players coming from outside Ontario must contact the OWHA prior to participating in tryouts to ensure they have met all eligibility requirements and registration procedures for out-of-province players.

No player will be permitted on the ice until all required documentation has been received and all applicable fees have been paid.

Player Selection Process

There is one entry point into the NGHA U9 Competitive program, and one U9 Competitive team will be selected.

The U9 Competitive tryout process consists of:

1 Goalie Evaluation Session (goalies only)
1 Skills Session
2 Scrimmage Sessions

The Selection Committee consists of:

The Head Coach (who may bring one evaluator; the evaluator cannot be a parent or related to any player trying out at the U9 level)
Up to three paid or volunteer non-parent evaluators with hockey backgrounds
One NGHA Board Member serving as an observer

All players are guaranteed participation in:

One Skills Session
One Scrimmage Session

Player releases may occur following the first scrimmage session.

Players selected to continue in the tryout process will have their numbers posted on the NGHA website U9 Continuation Page.

U9 Goalie Program

The U9 Competitive team may roster one goalie.

Only players registered to try out as a goalie will participate in the goalie evaluation session.

Players registered as goalies must also participate in the Skills Session and Scrimmage Sessions as skaters.

Tryout Results

Player releases will be posted on the NGHA website U9 Continuation Page.

Every effort will be made to post player numbers on the evening of each tryout session. In some cases, postings may occur the following morning.

The Head Coach will contact players selected for the final roster.

Parents are expected to observe the 24-hour rule following roster announcements.

Attendance, Injuries & Missed Tryouts

If a player is unable to attend a scheduled tryout session, an email must be sent to the Competitive Directors at least 48 hours in advance.

Medical limitations or missed tryouts may affect player evaluation and placement. The NGHA Competitive Committee will consider previous performance, coaching evaluations, and other relevant information when determining placement for injured or absent players.

An injury or absence does not guarantee placement on a competitive team. Decisions made by the Competitive Committee regarding player placement are final and are not subject to appeal.

Players who are injured or absent must still register and pay the applicable tryout fee in order to be considered.

If a player is unable to participate due to injury, a medical note must be provided indicating that the player is unable to participate and the anticipated return-to-play date.