Dear Players and Families,
Welcome to the 2025/2026 season with the Barrie Colts U10-A team! I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to coach this group of young athletes, and I’m looking forward to a season filled with growth, teamwork, and plenty of fun both on and off the ice.
As your coach, my commitment is to provide a positive and supportive environment where every player can develop their skills, build confidence, and fall in love with the game. Our focus will be on mastering the core skills that are essential to long-term success in hockey—skating, puck control, passing, shooting, and decision-making. While systems and strategies will come in time, this stage of development is about building a strong foundation and embracing the journey of improvement.
We’ll be aligning our approach with the player pathways set by Hockey Canada, ensuring that our practices and programming are age-appropriate, player-focused, and designed to foster a life-long passion for the game. Our goal is to help every player grow as both an athlete and a teammate, while creating a fun and meaningful experience for your entire family.
Most importantly, our number one goal is to have fun. If our players are smiling, enjoying the game, and excited to come to the rink, then we’re doing things right. A positive experience is the foundation for learning and growth, and we want this to be a season your child looks back on with great memories.
Player Evaluations
To form our team roster, players will participate in a structured evaluation process that includes:
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Two skill sessions, focused on skating, puck handling, passing, shooting, and competitive play
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A scrimmage game, giving players a chance to showcase their skills in a game setting
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A final skills session, offering one last opportunity to demonstrate growth and effort
Tryout Schedule:
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Saturday, May 3 – 4:00 PM to 6:50 PM at East Bayfield Arena (Green) – Skill Session #1
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Sunday, May 4 – 8:30 AM to 11:20 AM at Allandale Recreation Centre (Blue) – Skill Session #2
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Monday, May 5 – 5:30 PM at East Bayfield Arena (Green) – Scrimmage Game
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Tuesday, May 6 – 5:30 PM at East Bayfield Arena (Green) – Final Skills Session
A team of independent evaluators will assess each player’s hockey abilities along with their effort, attitude, and coachability. After each session, we will update the team website removing registration numbers of players who have been released from the U10-A evaluations. These players will then be invited to continue their journey at the U10-B evaluations. Please check the website following each session for the latest updates.
Season Overview
Once the team is selected, we’ll begin preparing for a full and exciting season. We expect to play up to 50 games, including regular season, exhibition, tournament, and playoff games. We are planning to participate in four tournaments, one potentially taking place in the United States, depending on scheduling and travel logistics.
In addition to games, we will have many practices throughout the season, with a strong focus on skill development and team building. We’ll also look to include outside development opportunities, such as specialized skating or skills sessions, off-ice training, and team-building events to help round out the players’ experience and growth.
Please note: Families will be responsible for BMHA registration fees, as well as participating in team fundraising efforts to help cover tournament costs, development opportunities, team events, and other seasonal expenses.
Throughout the season, we’ll emphasize teamwork, a positive attitude, and dedication. Each player will be encouraged to support their teammates, work hard, and contribute to a respectful, encouraging team culture.
We’ll use both the team website and the SportsHeadz app throughout the season to keep everyone updated on schedules, team news, and important information. Families will be encouraged to stay connected through both platforms to ensure nothing is missed.
Thank you for trusting me and our coaching staff with your child’s hockey journey. I’m truly excited about what’s ahead, and I can’t wait to get started.
Let’s make it a great year. Go Colts, Go!
Sincerely,