Otonabee Minor Hockey Player Movement Policy
In line with OMHA Regulation 3.6 a) Otonabee Minor Hockey has defined criteria to decide if players are permitted to move up to an older age category (i.e. peewee to bantam).
All decisions to move players up or down in age categories are made by the Otonabee Minor Hockey Executive. Past and/or current coaches may be asked to provide input for skill level assessment. Parents are also engaged to verify the executive decisions are in line with player and/or family desires. All decisions are evaluated case by case basis.
For Representative Hockey
- If there is no representative team in their age category, players can elect to either request a 3.5 form to attend tryouts in their next closest centre offering representative hockey in their own age category, or elect to attend tryouts in a higher age category in Otonabee.
- Movement can be based on skill level. Players can be moved up if they play at a higher skill level than their age category. Our guideline is the player would need to be a top line player at the upper age category to be moved up.
- Movement can be based on roster size; we try to balance roster sizes to enable all teams to be equally successful. We aim for at least 10 skaters in Novice and at least 13 in Atom and above.
- Movement can be based on positions to ensure a team has the right number of skilled players in key positions (i.e. goaltender or defense).
For Local League Hockey
- Movement up or down can be based on skill level. Players can be moved up if they play at a higher skill level than their age category. Players can be moved down (pursuant to an agreement by the Leo League executive) based on skill level.
- Movement up can be based on roster size; we try to balance roster sizes to enable all teams to be equally successful.
- Movement up can be based on a family request to move a sibling up an age category to play with an older sibling. In rare occasions, movement up can also be based on a family request for a special circumstance where travel requirements prevent a player from participating without support from a relative or neighbour.
- We do not move players up to play with friends or to play for a particular coach
The following process will be followed by Otonabee Minor Hockey for a player to be moved to a higher age level:
Procedure:
1. A written request for movement, signed by a parent or guardian, addressed to the President or designate must be made five days prior to the first scheduled try out. Such a request must outline in detail specific reasons for this player movement.
2. Upon receipt of the written request for player movement, Otonabee Minor Hockey will acknowledge receiving the request in writing within two days.
3. Otonabee Minor Hockey will instruct the Coach and Team Manager of each Division affected to review the request. This review is accomplished by having the player participate in the try-out process. A committee consisting of the Executive President, Head of Player Development and the coach for the team in question will access the player. Those results will be forwarded to the entire executive for final decision.
4. Otonabee Minor Hockey will communicate the recommendations to the parent/player within ten to fourteen days after try outs.
5. The decision to allow or disallow player movement is final.
Criteria
Criteria for allowing a player to play-up will be based on the evaluation of the player. The player MUST exhibit significant advanced skills and abilities to play at a higher level. Skating ability, skill maturity and player safety will be taken into consideration. The player in question must be ranked as a top player on the team he is trying out for, as well as the team at his own age group. If the player is not projected to be a dominant player on the older team, then it is highly questionable whether playing up is truly in the best interest of that player or the team.