FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Hey hockey fans! Are you curious about our Lorette Minor Hockey Program? Here are some frequently asked questions to help you learn more.
Q: What age groups can participate in the program?
A: Our program is open to boys and girls aged 4-17, with divisions for each age group (U7-U18) to ensure a fun and competitive experience for all players. There are programs available for both co-ed and female streams.
Q: When does the season start and end?
A: The season typically runs from September to March, with practices and games scheduled throughout the week. Our dedicated coaches and volunteers work hard to provide a positive and rewarding hockey experience for all participants.
Q: When are practices and games?
A: While we strive to keep a consistent schedule, we cannot guarantee specfic practice days. Games are typically held over weekends.
Q: I am interested in signing my child up for your hockey program, how do I do that?
A: Registration generally begins August 1st for the fall season. It is done online, through the Spordle Website. New players will have to create an account before registering.
Q: I registered my child, now what?
A: You will receive an email regarding your registration. For all updates, follow our social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram @lorette.comets. Your team's communication will be done via TeamLinkt app.
Q: Does LMHA provide goalie equipment?
A: LMHA has the opportunity to provide Goalie equipment to the majority of our divisions U9-15. If a goalie is a first year goalie determining if this is the position they want to continue with, LMHA will support equipment needs. If it is a returning goalie for multiple seasons, there is an expectation that like skaters, the goalie well provide their own equipment.
Q: Does LMHA provide goalie equipment to every goalie?
A: LMHA has adjusted its goalie equipment over the years to meet the needs of the association. Many goalies do provide their own equipment; however, at certain age levels it is exclusively provided by LMHA, while others, it is on an as needed basis. Typically players converting to goalie who are gaining experience and commit to that position purchase their own equipment at some point.
Q: Which divisions does LMHA provide all goalie equipment?
A: LMHA will provide all required equipment for U9 & U11. U13 & U15 is dependent on needs.
Q: What type of goalie equipment does LMHA provide?
A: LMHA has quick change pads, glove, blocker, and stick for U9.
U11 LMHA provides pads, glove, blocker, stick, and neck protector.
U13 & U15 LMHA provides, as needed, options for pads, gloves, blocker, and stick.
Q: Is there any goalie equipment that LMHA does not provide?
A: LMHA does not provide helmets, pants or skates specific to the goalie position.
Q: What if there is no goalie for a team and players are required to play goal on a rotating basis, but there isn’t any equipment?
A: LMHA will review the needs for that specific team and look at options for equipment.
Q: What if the equipment does not fit?
A: Due to the varying sizes of players coming through the different divisions, the equipment may fit differently for each player playing goal for that same team/division. LMHA will review any safety concerns and look at options for equipment if any concerns are identified.
Q: Who do we contact on specific questions regarding goalie?
A: The primary point of contact for LMHA regarding any equipment needs is the Equipment Director, email at LMHComets.Equipment@gmail.com
Q: I have a complaint regarding a parent or coach on my team, what do I do?
A: All teams have a volunteer parent representative. This information should have been communicated through your manager. All complaints must be formally submitted, in writing, using this form to your team's parent representative.
Q: I have a complaint about my team's parent representative, what do I do?
A: All age divisions have board member respresentatives. The list is found on the website here. All complaints must be formally submitted, in writing, using this form to your division's representative.
FAQ: Evaluations
This Evaluation FAQ was created to address common inquiries raised during the LMHA evaluation sessions. All answers are based on the LMHA Evaluation Process and Policy to ensure consistency, fairness, and transparency. The goal is to provide families with clear guidance on how evaluations are conducted and what to expect throughout the process.
Q: Why does Lorette Minor Hockey hold evaluations?
A: LMHA has evaluations to provide the best opportunity for like skilled players to be grouped together for the season. Having the opportunity to tier players with similar skills presents the best opportunity for development, competitiveness, and continuation in the sport. LMHA utilizes external evaluators to reduce potential for internal conflict with team selection and provide a fair unbiassed view.
Q: Who are the evaluators?
A: They are external evaluators with many years of experience who have no affiliation to the board or the players.
Q: How does the evaluation process work?
A: There will be 3 skates and each skate will consist of different skills. The players will be graded on each skill set to get a total overall score. The scores are used to determine teams. Example→ if there are 30 skaters and the board decides on 3 teams of 10, the Top 10 scores would make up the A team, the next 10 scores the B team and the final 10 scores the C team. The board decides on players/team prior to the teams being formed.
Q: What do evaluators look for?
A: They will grade the players on skills; skating, shooting, passing, compete level, hockey sense, etc.
Q: Do the groups change throughout the evaluation process?
A: Yes, the groups change after each skate. The evaluators determine the groupings after each skate. The first skate is set by the board randomly.
Q: Do the Coaches have any say on the groups or the Teams?
A: NO. Groups are determined by the evaluators and the teams are formed based on the overall score of the 3 evaluation skates. The coach selection process begins only after the teams have been determined.
Q: Who determines the Drills for the evaluation?
A: The drills are given to the LMHA board for each age group from the evaluators and provided to the coaches prior to the evaluation skates. There is consultation with the evaluators on drills prior to the evaluations commencing.
Q: Can coaches be on the Ice with their Child during the Evolution Skates?
A: Yes, Coaches are instructed to run the drills provided to them by Evaluators and not actively coach any of the players.
Q: Does my player have to be evaluated?
A: All players are expected to participate in the evaluations. While it is not mandatory it is encouraged; if a player chooses not to participate in evaluations they will be placed on the lowest team.
Q: What if my player misses 1 of the evaluation skates?
A: Skaters should make every effort to attend all 3 skates. If a player cannot attend one skate their score will be averaged to the skates they attended.
Q: Can families request friends be placed together?
A: Friend requests are not part of the evaluation process. Teams are formed based on the evaluations to ensure players are playing at the appropriate level of competitiveness.
Q: Can I get a copy of my player's score card?
A: No, LMHA’s current evaluator does not provide scorecards after evaluations.
Q: Why can’t I see my player’s scorecards? I want to know what they need to work on for next year
A: As an association, we don’t provide individual scores or evaluation sheets to parents or players. As per the constitution, only the President sees the final scores of evaluations. We encourage players to focus on continuing to build their skills in the core areas essential to the sport: skating, puck handling, passing, shooting, awareness, and effort/compete level. Coaches throughout the season will provide feedback and direction, and our development programs are designed to give all players the chance to improve in these areas.
Q: How does team formation happen?
A: The board meets for a special meeting the first Monday (most years - in some cases it may be Sunday or Tuesday) after evaluations are completed. The team formation tables are presented to all board members in the room, with the team formation table per division listed. The tables are connected to the player listing in the background of the file. The formation begins with U9, player count is confirmed on the evaluator’s ranking with the registrar’s list of players. Team count is determined at this point, the team tier placement follows the Eastman Constitution. The President has the pinnie number with evaluator scores, no names, and reads the pinnie number aloud to the group. The secretary, or designate, enters the number in the first cell of the table populating the name. This process continues until the first team is completed and then moves to subsequent teams until all players in the division are placed on a team.
Q: When does the Board exercise discretion during team formations? If they disagree with evaluation outcomes or need a coach on one team can they take a player from one team and move them to another?
A: There are two or three situations where the board will exercise discretion during team formation:
1) The number of teams and number of players per team. For example, if there are 30 players in one age group, the board will determine if there should be 2 teams of 15 or 3 teams of 10
2) If the number of players cannot split evenly to form equal players/team, the number of players per team will be determined prior to team formation. The common practice is that the lower tiered teams carry more players due to AP restrictions/opportunities. For example, if there are 31 players at one age group and 3 teams, A=10, B=10 & C=11. However, if the top player on the C team is really close in score to the bottom player on the B team and there is a large gap to the 2nd player on the C team, the Board may choose to allocate 11 to the B team and 10 to the C team.
3) When there are two teams at the same level, the teams are formed using a serpentine selection process. For example, U11C Blue is player 1, UllC White are players 2 & 3, Blue is 4 & 5, etc. until all players are placed. The board may consider moving players with similar scores to the other team in order to balance out coaching requirements. For example if there are two U11C teams, and all the known coaches end up on the same Blue team, the board would consider substituting one player of similar score from team Blue to team White in order to ensure coaching on the White team. As previously stated, coaches are determined only after player rankings are finalized and teams have been assigned. Coach requirements are only determined after teams are formed and tiers are determined.