U11 AA
St. Albert Jr. Raiders 2023-2024
St. Albert Minor Hockey Association is committed to providing a comprehensive development program for players who want to reach elite hockey and stay within their own hockey community.
The U11 AA (HADP) program introduces U11 athletes to competitive-stream programming.
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TRYOUTS
2023-2024 Tryouts
The Jr Raiders program was formed in 2021 to support the development of young athletes aspiring to play elite-level hockey for the St. Albert Raiders. This program prioritizes player development, with the aim of steadily advancing players' skills and understanding of the game throughout the season. Our focus is on establishing a solid foundation that will support the long-term success of players within our program for the next eight years and beyond.The program has two core principles that guide decision-making, program planning and player selection.COMMUNITYThe St. Albert Raiders elite hockey program provides a unique opportunity to become part of a passionate hockey community with a rich history of excellence. The sense of pride and identity that comes with being a part of the Raiders program is ever-present within our community. We embrace this philosophy and firmly believe that our players will flourish within this dynamic environment.RESILIENCEOur goal is to help our players cultivate the skills that are essential to excel in the years ahead as players advance in AAA and AA hockey. The Jr Raiders program involves a tryout process. We are looking for players who possess the necessary skill set to play at a higher level of hockey and who can effectively manage adversity. Adversity in hockey can take many forms, such as playing with unfamiliar teammates, being coached by someone new, or not experiencing sustained success on the ice. These experiences serve as valuable building blocks for our players' overall growth and equip them with the skills to advance as they move through Elite Minor Hockey and eventually into Junior hockey.Being a member of a SAMHA’s Jr Raider team will place an increased demand on your time and financial obligations. The Team Fees for this program will not exceed $2000 per player.Players can anticipate receiving additional practice ice and enhanced player development opportunities. Participants in the program must purchase a team apparel package that includes Jr. Raider's apparel and customized jerseys.The tryout fee is non-refundable.Players will be selected by the Head Coach.
St. Albert Minor Hockey is committed to a fair and transparent evaluation and selection process. The named coaches will provide a Player Selection Criteria before tryouts begin. The program will include 34 players (30 skaters and four goalies) drafted to two teams, the Barons and the Lightning.
U11 AA (HADP) Competitive Stream Tryout Dates. *Cuts will be made after August 29th, prior to the final skate.
Mon Aug 28,2023 4:15pm - 5:15pm Mon Aug 28,2023 5:30pm - 6:30pm Mon Aug 28,2023 6:45pm - 7:45pm Tue Aug 29,2023 4:15pm - 5:15pm Tue Aug 29,2023 5:30pm - 6:30pm Tue Aug 29,2023 6:45pm - 7:45pm Thu Aug 31,2023 5:00pm - 6:00pm Thu Aug 31,2023 6:15pm - 7:15pm
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COACHES
Coaches selected for this program will have exceptional leadership skills previously exemplified in the hockey community. They will be progressive in their coaching philosophies and possess the ability to develop players to their full potential.
It is expected that Jr Raiders Coaches complete Hockey Canada NCCP Development 1.
Coaches who successfully complete this program will learn:
- The importance of creating a season plan; what components it should include.
- How to Identify and assess the athletic abilities that your athletes will need to succeed in competitive hockey.
- Set and monitor progress goals.
- How to effectively communicate team and individual progress with your athletes and their guardians.
The Association is committed to providing supplemental educational opportunities and one-on-one mentoring. Coaches will collaborate with the St. Albert Raider Director of Hockey Development and engage in mentorship opportunities within St. Albert Minor Hockey Assocation.
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COMMUNITY
Our goal is for players to gain meaningful experience in hockey through our hockey community as a whole. Players in the Jr Raiders will be introduced to the St. Albert Raiders hockey community. Teams will partner with one of the program's 15 St. Albert Raiders teams and have the opportunity to participate in on-ice practice with their partner team and off-ice activities.
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DEVELOPMENT
Players can anticipate 60 practices between September and March. A minimum of 10 practices will be focused on advancing individual hockey skills.
GOALTENDING DEVELOPMENT
Dave Rathjen provides goalies with weekly development sessions. Dave has been a valued partner of the St. Albert Raiders and St. Albert Minor Hockey for four years. He had a successful junior career in the WHL, BCHL, and with the University of Alberta Golden Bears. He is currently the coach for the Swift Current Broncos (WHL) and the University of Alberta Golden Bears and Pandas programs.
STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING
TBC
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SEASONAL STRUCTURE
The St. Albert Minor Hockey Association Player Development group expects coaches in the Jr Raiders program to follow a U11 Competitive Seasonal Plan that supports the development of these young athletes in competitive stream hockey.
2023-2024
TRYOUTS: August 28, 29, and 31st
PRACTICES: After September 11th
GAMES: September 30th - March 18th
Teams can anticipate playing 24 Regular Season games in Edmonton and surrounding regions.
Jr Raiders teams typically attend between 2-3 tournaments and have the opportunity to participate in the Hockey Alberta U11 HADP Showcase.
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PARTNERSHIPS
Our program works with community and industry partners each season to ensure our players have every opportunity to advance in hockey.
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APPAREL PACKAGE
New this season, the Jr Raiders apparel package will be supplied by BarDown Apparel.
The Jr Raiders apparel package includes:
- Custom Game Jersey(s)
- Practice Jersey
- Pant Shells
- Hoodie
- Technical Short and T-shirt
The Jr. Raiders program was formed in 2021-2022 to support young athletes aspiring to play competitive stream hockey in St. Albert. The Jr Raiders have been League Champions for two consecutive seasons and took home gold at the highly competitive Jr Raiders Spring Invitational.
PROGRAM COACHES
2021-2022
Peter Sinclair
Peter has been a coach with SAMHA since 2012. He has been both a Head Coach and an Assistant Coach on multiple teams. Most recently Peter was the Head Coach of a SAMHA U13 AA team and in 2019 Peter led the Atom AA Barons to a Provincial Championship. Peter has completed Coach 1, Coach 2, Safety, Checking Skills and Development 1 Coach certifications. In addition to this, Peter has been an active participant in SAMHA coach development programs.
Bryce Classen
Bryce has coached with SAMHA since 2013. He has participated as both a Head Coach and an Assistant Coach on multiple teams since then. This will be his fourth year coaching at the U11 level, 3 as a head coach. In 2018-2019 Bryce was the coach of a SAMHA Atom AA team. Bryce has completed Coach 1, Coach 2, Safety, and Checking Skills. As a former junior hockey player, CIS player and professional player; Bryce brings an enhanced technical knowledge of player development and is progressive in his coaching philosophies.
SAMHA is committed to providing a comprehensive development program for players who want to eventually reach elite hockey and stay within their own hockey community. We are confident the leaders selected for this program will provide players with the opportunity to further advance their skills.
2022-2023
SAMHA is excited to share that Brian Brouse and Rob Parrotta have been named the head coaches for the Jr. Raiders AA U11 program this season. Brian and Rob are both qualified Coaches and progressive in their coaching philosophies. This season, they will collaborate with members of the Raiders program and the SAMHA Development team to ensure that on- and off-ice development is expanded to fully support individual player development.
Brian Brouse
Brian has coached hockey since 2013 and with SAMHA since 2021. Since then, he has participated as both a Head Coach and an Assistant Coach on multiple teams from Initiation through U13. Brian has also spent time as a Hockey Board executive; included in his duties were Coach and Player Development. Brian just completed a successful U11 year with the St. Albert Sabres. Brian has completed Coach 1, Coach 2, Safety, and Checking Skills. Brian brings with him a strong history of effective communication and team-building, which supports his goal of developing better players and kids through hockey.
Rob Parrotta
Rob first joined SAMHA as a coach in 2008. For three seasons, he was an assistant coach on the U15 AAA and AA Raiders Hockey Club teams. Most recently, Rob was a Head Coach in the SAMHA U9 Tier 1 program. Rob is an educator and was the Teacher/Lead Instructor at St. Edmund Hockey Academy for seven years. He has completed Coach 1, Coach 2 (online), and Development 1. Rob's primary focus is to create a team culture that promotes respect, development and fun.
