NCI AA - NCI U13 AA
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are a list of frequently asked questions regarding the NCIU13 AA program. These will be updated regularly. If your question is not answered below, please email your question to nciu13aa@lmha.ab.ca
How much commitment is required to be on the NCI U13 AA Team?
Here is a snapshot of what the season may look like:
Will the NCU13 AA Team attend tournaments?
Yes. Calgary tournament confirmed for October 6-10. A second tournament (possible out of province) is planned.
I am interested in becoming an Assistant Coach on the NCI U13 AA team. What is the process?
Head Coaches in the North Central Impact program have the opportunity to build their own team staff in consultation with the Director. They are able to recruit Assistant Coaches from outside the organization or from team members' family/friends.
Any parent interested in applying to be an Assistant Coach must complete an LMHA Coach Application Form. If desired, the applicant can send a coaching resume to the Directors at nciu13aa@lmha.ab.ca It is recommended to complete this as early as possible, even if the applicant is unsure of their athlete's chance of success in making the team.
All Coach Applications will be reviewed by the Director and the Head Coach. Parent-coach applicants may be invited to assist with practices, exhibition games, etc. during the tryout period but this is not an indication of acceptance onto the Team Staff. Participation in these activities may also be used by the Head Coach as part of a Team Staff selection process.
All team Coaches, Trainers, and Managers must be approved by LMHA prior to being named to the team staff.
Evaluations are listed as September 8, 9, and 10. Is this decided day by day? Do we attend only one of these tryout dates?
In the first weekend of evaluations, LMHA guarantees three evaluation skates. All athletes registered for tryouts will participate in all three of these evaluation skates NCIU13AA September 8, 9, and 10th. Goalies will have a fourth evaluation session specific to goalies.
What happens after the third evaluation skate? How will my athlete know if she gets to continue in tryouts?
NCIU13AA may make releases on September 10. These will be done in-person at the rink immediately following the September 10 skate. These will be conducted with the athlete, Coach(s) and NCI U13AA Director present.
How do I know when she is expected to be on the ice for tryouts?
The calendar page on the NCIU13AA webpage is updated with all tryouts dates, times and locations. Communication will also come from the Director and /or Coach as the tryouts progress.
When are tryouts finished?
According to the Alberta Female Hockey League (afhl.ca), the U13 AA rosters must be formed by October 9. New athletes entering tryouts and releases can occur up until this date. However, North Central Impact intends to finalize its roster in September. The exact date is yet to be determined. We will use blue / white scrimmages, practice sessions, and exhibition games to conduct a thorough evaluation.
My daughter is tying out for AA co-ed. Can she also tryout for Female AA?
Yes.
My daughter is interested in trying out for NCI but if she is not successful she will want to play in our resident Association. Our own Association is hosting evaluation skates at the same time as NCI. Which one should we attend?
You can register for both. It is recommended to reach out to BOTH Associations' division directors to let them know your athlete is participating in both evaluations. You can participate in both concurrently or consecutively. In the event of an overlap in scheduled evaluations, it may be advisable to attend the evaluations that are nearest to making final decisions. Be transparent with the Directors and ask which evaluation skate they recommend attending.
Listen to your athlete to ensure she is not feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, or burn-out at this time. This is a hectic and sometimes stressful time of year for young athletes.
When does the season begin for NCI U13 AA?
October 14, 2023
If my daughter is unsuccessful in the NCI U13 AA tryouts, can she go to another U13 Female AA tryout?
Generally speaking, the AFHL is not allowing second try-outs in the U13AA division. However, these is a possibility that some teams may declare a need for a particular position. This will be determined by the AFHL. If your athlete is released from NCI tryouts and you wish to be considered for a second tryout, the best recommendation at this time is to notify the NCI U13 AA Director. We will update as information become available.
Can I choose where I would like to tryout?
No. The AA divisions of the AFHL are bound by recruitment areas (i.e.zones). You will be required to attend the tryouts for your AFHL Recruitment Area.
How do I know if Leduc is my recruitment area for Female AA tryouts?
North Central Impact's U13 recruitment area includes the following Resident Minor Hockey Associations. If your resident association is listed below you belong to NCI. If it is not, please consult AFHL.ca to determine your Recruitment Area.
Beaumont, Calmar, Devon, Drayton Valley, Edson, Enoch, Hinton, Jasper, Leduc, Millet, New Sarepta, Pembina, Spruce Grove, Stony Plain, Thorsby, Warburg, Winfield
