Prep Skate FAQs

What is a prep skate?

The Sylvan Lake Minor Hockey prep skates are designed as a pressure-free environment to reintroduce players back to the ice following the off-season. While some skaters may have attended other ice sessions since the end of the previous season, these prep skates are to ensure that everyone is comfortable prior to tryouts and the beginning of the evaluation sessions for the upcoming season.

Why should I go to a prep skate?

Players are not required to attend any of the prep skates. However, these prep skates will introduce drills and exercises that will be repeated during the evaluation sessions. Players that attend prep skates will become familiar with the drills so that they can focus on showcasing their efforts rather than trying to learn something completely new. 

How are players evaluated?

Sylvan Lake Minor Hockey hires external evaluators to execute evaluations for U11 AA, A, & B, and U13 A, B, & C, along with the U11/U13 goalie specific session. All other evaluators will be assigned from our Directors, with no relation to any of the kids on the ice. Coaches and parents will be utilized throughout the evaluation process on the ice, however they will be used to keep drills flowing, and have no influence to the evaluation process.

While we strive for 100% accuracy with our evaluation process, we understand that players develop differently throughout the season. There are always a handful of players on every team that could potentially play down or up a level. Not all players will play on the teams they try out for. Parents should encourage players to continue working hard, enjoy the season wherever they play, and strive to be leaders with their clubs, no matter where they hit the ice this season. 

Please note: All evaluation results are final.

Have questions?

Contact us at general@slmha.hockey and we’d be happy to answer any questions you may have.