08/13/2026
Everything You Wanted to Know About Tryouts… But Were Too Afraid to Ask.
What are the coaches actually looking for?
Does last year’s team matter?
Are they only evaluating hockey skills?
And, of course, the question every parent really wants answered: What team is my kid going to make?!
Tryouts can be stressful. And, if we’re being honest, sometimes they’re more stressful for the parents than the players.
That’s why we put together the Huskies Tryout Handbook:
https://huskieshockeyclub.canlansports.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Huskies-Tryout-Handbook.pdf
It walks families through the entire process, including how players are evaluated, what skills coaches are looking for, the intangibles that can make a difference, how previous seasons factor into evaluations, and even the qualities coaches look for in team leaders.
As Hockey Director Joe Tomasek explains, the goal goes beyond simply ranking players by hockey skill:
“Our goal is to place each player in the environment that best supports their growth and success throughout the season while building competitive teams that allow every player and team to reach their full potential.”
And while skill matters, it’s only one piece of the puzzle. Effort. Coachability. Attitude. Competitiveness. Being a good teammate. Those things matter, too.
Joe also has an important reminder as rosters begin to take shape: Don’t get too caught up in a team’s number or label. Every player develops at a different pace. What matters most is finding the right environment for each player to play, grow, build confidence, develop their skills, and enjoy the game.
Oh, and parents, there’s a section for us, too: the Parent Pledge. Spoiler alert: standing at the glass, sideline coaching, comparing kids, and keeping a running tally of your player’s reps are strongly discouraged.
We can’t promise the handbook will answer exactly what team your child will make. But hopefully it takes some of the mystery out of how that decision is made.
Give it a read before tryouts begin this Sunday.
Then find a seat in the bleachers and let the kids play hockey.
Let’s go, Huskies!
