HHA Skater Evaluation Process for 2025-2026
The HHA Board identified a gap between expectations and experiences with last season's player evaluations. To improve transparency and communication, the Board created an evaluation committee for the 2025-2026 season. Here’s what you need to know.
Our Goal:
The goal is to create teams where kids develop to the best of their abilities as hockey players, teams compete at a level where they feel challenged by the competition, and the range of skills on the team is manageable for the coach and team. Kids should be placed where they should be challenged as players but still able to participate. This leads to player development, team competition, and fun.
Evaluation Dates:
Evaluations will be held March 12–21 at Campion Arena. Exact age group schedules will be posted online soon.
Registration:
Registration is open now. A non-refundable $50 deposit per child is required to sign up. Sign up here: https://hanoverhockey.sportngin.com/register/form/714082456
Registration will be closing MARCH 10th, 2025.
Goal of Evaluations:
Evaluations will be used to form teams for the 2025-2026 season, aiming to create teams with similar skill levels to ensure effective practices and competitive games.
Team Selection:
Players participate in tryouts observed by next season’s head coaches and an independent evaluator. Current season coaches will be consulted when possible. Teams are formed based on the number of registrants and the skill level. The Tryout Coordinator and Board members support and facilitate this process. HHA will work to avoid and manage conflicts of interest, as these can occur in an all-volunteer association where nearly all coaches are also the parents of players.
Team Size:
The target team size is 13-16 players to ensure manageable practices and sufficient ice time during games.
Here is HHA’s current view on the number of teams and placement for next season.
- 14U Co-ed: One team, potentially two if enrollment increases. Team targeted for GSL Tier 3 or Tier 4. GSL tiering could change based on (a) the skill level of the players trying out and (b) the GSL pre-season parity tournament. The parity tournament is used by the GSL to make sure the tier a team selects is a good fit based on the projected competition throughout the state.
- 12U Co-ed: Two teams. Top team targeted for GSL Tier 2 or Tier 3, second team targeted for GSL Tier 3 or Tier 4. Again, the Granite State League now uses a parity tournament at the beginning of the season to place teams in tiers other than Tier 2.
- 10U Co-ed: Two or three teams. Top team will seek opportunities outside the GSL appropriate for the team’s skill level. Other teams will play in the GSL in a tier determined by the GSL parity tournament, as stated above. This year Hanover teams played in GSL Tiers 1, 2, and 5 along with a largely independent schedule for the top team.
- U14 Girls Green: The team will seek the highest tier possible in the NEGHL and potentially the GSL based on the skill level of the players. This year, the team competed in NEGHL 3F Liberty Upper for the winter season. They did not compete in the GSL.
- U12 Girls Green: The team will seek the highest tier possible in the NEGHL and GSL based on the skill level of the players. This year, the team competed in the NEGHL 4D Liberty Upper and the GSL Tier 2 division.
- U12 Girls White: A mixed ability team with an independent schedule appropriate for the team’s skill level. This team may include a small number of U10 and/or U14 girls depending upon enrollment numbers.
- U10 Girls Green: The team will play an independent schedule in the fall and in the NEGHL and GSL in the winter. Again, the team will seek an appropriate tier in the NEGHL and GSL based on skill. This year, the team competed in the NEGHL 5D Liberty and the GSL Tier 2 division.
