Tryout Information

In what has become common practice throughout youth hockey associations in Minnesota, RHYA will be closing tryouts at all levels (including LiveBarn). This practice is intended to reduce any additional pressure for the players and minimize distractions from outside the playing area. The tryout facilitators, evaluators, and identified potential head coaches will be the only ones allowed in the rink. 

• Parents and spectators will not be permitted to watch any portion of tryouts.
• Parents should remain near the rink during their player's tryout in case assistance is needed due to an injury, equipment issue, or other unforeseen circumstance.
• For players 11 and younger, one parent or guardian may accompany their player into the locker room to assist with getting dressed. Once the players have taken the ice, all parents and guardians must leave the locker room area.
• A certified Athletic Trainer will be present for all tryout sessions.

• Players should bring both an RYHA black jersey and RYHA white jersey from previous seasons.
• If a player does not have RYHA jerseys, they should bring one dark practice jersey and one white practice jersey.
• All helmet stickers, with the exception of official RYHA stickers, must be removed before taking the ice for tryouts.
• Breezer shells are not permitted during tryouts.
• Cell phones are not permitted in locker rooms or changing areas. Any player found with a cell phone in these areas will be asked to leave the tryout.

• RYHA understands that circumstances beyond a player's control may prevent them from attending a scheduled tryout due to illness or other unforeseen circumstances.
• The association will remain flexible throughout the tryout process. When appropriate, a player's evaluation may be completed in a practice setting at a later date. There is no predetermined deadline for when this evaluation must occur. Any supplemental evaluation will be conducted by independent evaluators and used to assist with player placement decisions.

• Please park in a designated parking space whenever possible.
• If parking is unavailable, pull all the way forward along the sidewalk on the east side of Graham Arena 2 & 4 to help prevent traffic from backing up onto surrounding streets.

• Proceed to the check-in table to register and pay the $25 tryout fee.
• Payment may be made by:
• Exact cash
• Check payable to RYHA
• Proceed to the next table to receive your helmet number. Volunteers will provide your assigned number along with pre-cut tape for your helmet.
• Check the locker room assignments and proceed to your designated locker room.

• Please refer to your level-specific tryout page for tryout dates, schedules, and other important information.
• PeeWee and Bantam players only: If your player does not intend to participate in tryouts, please notify RYHA by email. Players who do not try out will be placed on the lowest-level team within their age group.
• Once your player has been removed from the tryout pool, the coach of their assigned team will contact you. Coaches typically reach out approximately two weeks after tryouts conclude for that level.
• After the first day of tryouts, the schedule for each subsequent tryout day (including rink assignments and ice times) will be posted on the afternoon of the scheduled session.
• Final team placement results will be posted on the afternoon following the final day of tryouts.

• All players will receive an email with their assigned tryout date, time, and rink one day before the first day of tryouts.

If you are a Squirt, PeeWee, U10, or U12 player and would like to try out at the next age level, the following guidelines apply:

• Players may try out at the older age level and must earn a spot on the highest-level team (AA for boys and A for girls) to remain at that level.
• Exceptions may be granted by the Boys or Girls Unit Director with approval from the Hockey Advisory Director.

• Players registering for Squirt tryouts should refer to the Squirt Tryout page for additional information and requirements.

• Supermite-aged players who did not play Squirt hockey the previous season and would like to be considered for the Advanced Supermite (Rover) program may participate in the Advanced Supermite Evaluation.
• Players who skated at the Squirt level during the previous season do not need to attend this evaluation.

• Tryouts are planned and finalized after registration and late registration close in September.
• Each season, approximately 500 players participate in the RYHA tryout process.
• Because player placements at one level affect the levels below, tryouts are conducted sequentially. Each age level's tryouts depend on the completion of the level above it.
• We appreciate your patience throughout the process as we work to ensure every player is evaluated fairly and placed at the appropriate level.