U18 Tryout/Season Information

Updated September 23rd, 10:25PM

Blues U18 Line up Game Vs Ice Dogs

Hello Parents and Players,

The following players/goalies will be playing in the game vs the Ice Dogs tomorrow Thursday, September 24th, at 8:30pm Bob MacQuarrie - Senecal. Please arrive 30 mins ahead of time to sign in.

#’s

315, 317, 318, 338, 353, 359, 362, 379, 414, 417, 418, 428, 431, 432, 435, 436, 437

All goalies and players that weren’t at the intrasquad game on Sunday, September 20th will also play in the game. You will be given your tryout jerseys upon check-in.

Players are asked to arrive in casual and presentable attire.

If your number is not on the list, you are asked to be in attendance. Those who are not dressing for the game are to stay away from the dressing room area.

Any player that is still participating in any Junior, U18 AAA and U18 AA tryouts is not permitted to attend the Blues tryout process until you are released from the other tryouts. Once you are released, only then are you permitted to join. For any player that is currently participating in, or registered for a Junior, U18 AAA or U18 AA tryout process, please let us know and also keep us updated of your status as those tryouts progress.

Volunteers Are Required

We are looking for a trainer, timekeepers and bench coordination for the game. Please reach out to Maryse Harris president@eastendstorm.ca or inform the sign in desk if you would like to help tomorrow.

Reminders:

·        Each player is expected to have their own water bottle on the bench.

·        Players are asked to remove all team helmet stickers and pant shells (exception: helmet numbers, goalie helmet decals and wraps)

Dressing Rooms

• Cell phones are not permitted in the changeroom.
• Dressing rooms must be left in an appropriately clean state after each session, ie. no garbage or excessive water on the floor

Player Equipment 

• All players/goalies must wear all the required protection equipment outlined by Hockey Canada Rule 3.6 – Protective Equipment
• “Cage-hang” will not be acceptable and a player will be asked to adjust their helmet to the correct fit. This may reduce their ice time. Please review this video to ensure a properly fitted helmet. As mentioned in this recently published video, officials will be actively identifying and addressing this rule this season.

All questions/inquiries relating to the Blues U18 tryouts must be sent to;

Maryse Harris: president@eastendstorm.ca

Tryout Schedule

Thursday, September 24, 2026, 8:30- 10:00 PM - Bob MacQuarrie (Game vs. Ice Dogs)

Saturday, September 26, 2026, 7:00- 8:30 PM - Armstong Arena (Game)

Sunday, September 27, 2026, 11:00AM- 12:00 PM - Bob MacQuarrie (Goalie Evaluations)

Sunday, September 27, 2026, 2:30- 4:00 PM - Armstong Arena (format TBC)

Thursday, October 1, 2026 7:15- 8:45 PM - Rockland (Game Vs. Crush)

Updated September 20th, 12:57AM

Blues U18 Tryout Information

Hello Parents/Players,

Thank you for registering for the Blues tryouts. A reminder that all players MUST also register with their home association in advance of taking the ice for Blues tryouts.

Home Association Registration

·        ⚠️ Players must be registered with their home association. Players won't be allowed to participate in the Blues tryouts if they aren't registered.

·        Blackburn Minor Hockey Association 👉 Click or Tap here

·        Eastend Minor Hockey Association 👉 Click or Tap here

As the first tryout session is starting before the completion of AA/other tryouts, any player that is still participating in any Junior, U18 AAA and U18 AA tryouts is not permitted to attend the Blues tryout process until they are released from the other tryouts. Once they are released, only then are they permitted to join. For any player that is currently participating in, or registered for a Junior, U18 AAA or U18 AA tryout process, please let us know and also keep us updated of your status as those tryouts progress.

All questions/concerns regarding the Blues U18 tryouts must be directed to Maryse Harris, Eastend Storm President, the host President of Blues U18 this season;

president@eastendstorm.ca

Each player will receive the following:

• Reversable tryout jersey and hockey socks.
• Only players and goalies who are part of the tryout process from the first evaluation session will receive a minimum of two evaluation opportunities.
• Players and goalies who join the tryout process after the first session may receive fewer evaluation opportunities, depending on the number of sessions remaining at the time they join.
•  This may apply to players currently participating at the Junior, AAA, or AA levels when the Blues tryouts commence.
• Goalies: depending on the number of goalies and other factors, a goalie evaluation session may be added at any point during the process.

Arrival and Check-In

All players must check in at the designated Blues Registration Table before their first tryout session.

·        Players are asked to arrive in casual and presentable attire.

Upon Check-In:   

·        Arrive 30 - 40 minutes early to the first tryout session to check-in. Arrive 20 - 30 minutes for all other sessions.

• Players will be issued a new navy blue and grey reversible tryout jersey along with hockey socks; these are theirs to keep.
• Evaluations shall be completed utilizing that players number to identify them. Every effort should be made to ensure players remain anonymous to evaluators during evaluations.
• Players must wear this same jersey number for all tryout sessions, unless changed by the Blues.
• Before each session, the player will be informed of which jersey colour to wear and which locker room to use.
• Players may only enter a dressing room if there are two attendants present - Two-deep Policy.

·        Each player is expected to have their own water bottle.

Note: Jersey numbers are used to anonymize players for evaluation purposes, ensuring a fair and unbiased assessment process.

Tryout Schedule

The tryout schedule is subject to change.

Please note: the most up-to-date tryout schedule will be on the Blues website. Please be sure to double check the date, time, and location of your tryouts before heading to the rink.

Sunday, September 20, 2026, 1:00- 2:30 PM - Armstrong Arena (Intrasquad)

Thursday, September 24, 2026, 8:30- 10:00 PM - Bob MacQuarrie (format TBC)

Saturday, September 26, 2026, 7:00- 8:30 PM - Armstrong Arena (Game)

Sunday, September 27, 2026, 11:00AM- 12:00 PM - Bob MacQuarrie (Goalie Evaluations)

Sunday, September 27, 2026, 2:00- 4:30 PM (format TBC)

Thursday, October 1, 2026 7:00- 9:00 PM (if required)

All the information related to the U18 Blues tryouts can be found on our website here. The schedule is subject to change. 

Volunteers Are Required

Get involved! Blues will be calling upon it's members to help with certain aspects of tryouts such as; trainers, timekeeper and bench coordination. Please inform the sign in desk if you would like to help out that day.

Tryout Evaluation:

·        Players are asked to remove all team helmet stickers and pant shells (exception: helmet numbers, goalie helmet decals and wraps). Players failing to comply will be sent back into the dressing room to remove these items. This may reduce their ice time.

·        All questions/concerns must be directed to Maryse Harris, Eastend Storm President, the host president of U18 Blues this season president@eastendstorm.ca

·        Parents and spectators are to remain in the common areas and away from the coach, evaluators, player’s change rooms and the benches unless assigned to a role.

·        Declaring position(s) or preference(s) does not guarantee those are the position(s) a player will play during the tryouts and season, if selected for the team. Coaches reserve the right to play a player in any position they feel is best for the team or best for the player as the tryout progress.

·        With multiple players of varying skill level, we encourage you not to have any misconceptions of who is or is not in any particular session. Player assignments are made prior to each session to ensure proper ice time distribution. This does not impact the evaluation or release process.

·        Not playing in a game does not guarantee a player a spot on the team. Given the numbers, we simply do not have the capacity to have every player play every session/game.

·        The tryout schedule will be on the Blues website. Please be sure to double check the dates, times, and locations of your tryouts before heading out to the rink as information may change without notice.

·        Releases will be posted on the website; only the player numbers listed will be continuing with the tryout process. An email will also be sent. The anticipated timeframe is late evening/following day. 

·        Under no circumstances are parents/friends etc. allowed to video/record other players during their tryouts.

Player Equipment 

• All players/goalies must wear all the required protection equipment outlined by Hockey Canada Rule 3.6 – Protective Equipment
• “Cage-hang” will not be acceptable and a player will be asked to adjust their helmet to the correct fit. This may reduce their ice time. Please review this video to ensure a properly fitted helmet. As mentioned in this recently published video, officials will be actively identifying and addressing this rule this season.

Each player is expected to have their own water bottle on the bench.

Ice Time During Tryouts

To ensure a fair evaluation and promote team-oriented play: 

• Players are expected to self-regulate their shift lengths to provide all participants with adequate ice time.
• Evaluators may assess awareness of shift changes, including unselfish play and line rotation.
• Evaluators may choose to be on the bench to observe player behavior, communication, and bench conduct.

Dressing Room Expectations & Conduct Observations

To provide a well-rounded evaluation: 

• Evaluators, Coaches or Blues Executive may enter dressing rooms to address teams and observe general player characteristics.
• All interactions will follow the “Two-Deep Rule” (two adults present at all times).
• In addition to on-ice performance, evaluations will include attitude, listening skills, leadership, and respectfulness
• The Blues believes in providing a safe and inclusive hockey environment; being respectful and having a good attitude both on and off the ice.
• Cell phones are not permitted in the changeroom.

Reminder: Dressing rooms must be left in an appropriately clean state after each session, ie. no garbage or excessive water on the floor

All questions/inquiries relating to the Blues U18 tryouts must be sent to;

Maryse Harris:

 president@eastendstorm.ca

Updated September 18th, 4:30PM

Blues U18 Tryout Information

We have been working on the tryout schedule but unfortunately, there are a few things we are still waiting on for confirmation, ie. arenas openings, AA time lines, other association’s timings for potential tryout games and ice availability.

We understand players at this age have part-time jobs/commitments and, due to a short turn around time, we will try to be accommodating as best as possible in the event someone was scheduled to work prior to the tentative schedule dates being released/posted. However, please note that the projected start date “September 18” of tryouts has been listed on the website since mid-August. Below are some of the potential home ice dates we are working with.  As we are trying to secure tryout games against other teams, it may be their ice that is used, so games may be added on dates in between the dates below. Ideally, tryouts will be completed by September 29, however, again there are factors outside of what we control that may extend the timeline of the tryout process.

As the first tryout session may start before the completion of AA/other tryouts, any player that is still participating in any Junior, U18 AAA and U18 AA tryouts are not permitted to attend the Blues tryout process until they are released from the other tryouts. Once they are released, only then are they permitted to join. For any player that is currently participating in, or registered for a Junior, U18 AAA or U18 AA tryout process, please let us know and also keep us updated of your status as those tryouts progress.

Unless otherwise noted, the registration deadline for this year’s Blues tryouts will be August 18th for U18 you must register before the deadline.  

Registration will not be complete until they have registered with their home association.

The tryout fee for the 2026-2027 season is:

• $150 (July 18th - September 8th)

Please note;

• In the event that someone misses the registration deadline, and requests to sign up before the first evaluation session and is granted permission a late fee of $75 will apply, bring the tryout fee to $225, plus credit card transaction fees.
• Late fee doesn't apply for anyone new moving into the area; regular fee will be applied. 
• Refunds: There is a $50 admin fee for refunds (except for players that make Rangers, medical reason, or Blues approved circumstance).
• No refunds after September 18th (except for players that make Rangers, medical reason, or Blues approved circumstance).

If selected to play on a Blues team, players will have a competitive top up fee of up to $175, payable by December 1st. This amount is separate from the registration fee paid to your home association and team fee paid to the team (full amount due by November 1st).

Import/Competitive Tryout Transfer Fees

In the event that an age-level has an insufficient amount of registrations and/or competitive-level players/goalies, the Blues may look to import from other associations, first from within the District and then potentially outside of the District.

All potential imports must be evaluated by the Blues (at least one guaranteed ice time), and the regular tryout registration fee for that age level still applies (not the late registration fee).

NO EXCEPTIONS: All import documentation must be finalized and fees fully paid in order to proceed with the tryout process.

A Note on Registration Costs

For the 2026-2027 season, Blues has adjusted our tryout registration fees, team fees (maximum allowable) and top up fees to reflect the following variables.

 For the 2024-25 / 2025-26 seasons, as we transitioned to player-owned jerseys, these fees were either reduced, didn’t increase, or modestly increased. At the same time, we also increased ice allotment season. We were able to provide this with the funds originally set aside for future replacement jerseys (funds that were no longer required due to the player-owned jersey model).

The fees this year are readjusted as there is no longer a jersey credit as it was only for the first two seasons of the jersey transition, and any other amounts is necessary to reflect rising operational costs. Specifically, costs related to ice rental rates, as well the addition of some costs such as but not limited to: extra playoff ice/officiating (referee) fees due to new playoff format, costs associated with the transition of league paper game sheets to electronic games sheets, and coach honorarium reimbursement (previously included in all individual team budgets). 

We appreciate your understanding as we continue to provide a high-quality hockey experience for our players. 

For the 2025-26 season, the Blues U18 top up fee was $175per/player and maximum allowable team fee was $1200per/player. These fees vary per level. Team fees are based on the teams’ season plan/expenditures determined by the coach/approved by team and top up fees, with the primary difference due to the amount of practice ice required for each level. At the lower age levels, the teams are provided with more practice ice and less at U18 (ei. 40hrs for U10 vs 25hrs for U18).

along with an increase in team/goalie development reimbursements and included team photos last 

Click here for more information on the coach and season.

• Tryouts to start late September/early October
• Players can attend optional body contact sessions early September
• No contact with coaches or evaluators during tryouts
• Selection decisions are made collaboratively to ensure fairness

The team and/or level at which a player played (or did not play) in previous seasons has no bearing on their evaluation, nor the selection process. Players are evaluated as they are at the evaluation sessions for the season they are trying out for.  

* Additional tryout information to come

Attendance is a requirement of the program. Unless there is an extenuating circumstance, players are expected to be available for all practices, games, training, tournaments (including out-of-town tournaments) and social functions.

In addition to the time commitment required for practices and league games, tournaments may require absence from school (and work).

Players must be punctual if they are to learn and compete with their team. This includes arriving to the rink/activity at the time that is communicated, being dressed on time, and physically and mentally prepared.

Parents (guardians) and players are strongly encouraged to review the Blues Attendance, Commitment and Multiple-Sport Policy.