Welcome to the U12 AA Barrie Colts
Hello, my name is Jonathan Barnes, and I will be returning as coach for the U12 AA Barrie Colts for the upcoming 2025-2026 season.
This year is like no other before with open borders across Ontario. I welcome all the returning Barrie Colts along with all the new players looking to join the organization. Please review all the rules on the BMHA website along with the following information about the upcoming season.
I am excited to let everyone know that this year we will also be hosting a team from Finland at our Barrie Colts tournament in January. Families will be required to help with billeting the players from this team. This has been an awesome experience in the past and look forward to meeting players and families that love our game as much as we do.
Tryouts: The players will be evaluated on several different categories. Hard work, compete/intensity, focus, knowledge, and overall attitude along with coachability will be some of these categories.
Some examples of what I will be looking for are as follows.
- If the player falls in a high-speed drill, how do they react?
- Does the player stop or turn the way they are told to from on ice instructors? (do they favour strong edge)
- Does the player give up if they are not going to win the drill?
- How do they treat teammates while in line or on the bench?
Positions: I will be asking what position each player wants to try out for. By that being said, I believe every player should understand every position. Players may and will be asked to assume different roles both during tryouts and during the season. If you are adamant that your player only plays 1 position let me know now so I may plan accordingly.
Season: This team is your extracurricular priority. I am a strong supporter of multiple sport/activity players, but this team is expected to come first. Players will be expected to be ready for practices and games on time and compete to the best of their abilities. There will be off ice conditioning introduced this year to help with strength and conditioning.
Cost: Our estimated budget will be $21,000.00 approximately $1235/player. Details to follow.
Tournaments: We will participate in 4 tournaments - One of those will be hosted in Barrie, one away, and two drive-to tournaments. Should we win Silver Stick an additional tournament will follow.
Playoffs: Playoffs will extend over March Break – so plan vacations accordingly.
Parents and players, please remember to keep a positive attitude throughout tryouts. There are 17 spots - 15 skaters and 2 goalies – on this team. Reassigning players to another team’s tryouts is not a part of the process I enjoy, but a necessary part. I hope every player uses this tryout to gauge their development and understands that this does not reflect where they could be a couple months from now or for next season. For the players who are reassigned please treat this opportunity to earn a spot on this team as an AP. I will be in constant communication with the coaches and attending games and practices at all levels looking to give extra opportunities and development to players. Last year I utilized 8 AP’s for as many games and practices as I could. I intend to continue to provide as much opportunity as possible this year.
If anyone has any questions or concerns that need to be addressed prior to tryouts, please review the rules and regulations on BMHA website prior to contacting me via email [email protected]
Good luck everyone!
Coach Jon