Troy Albany Jr. River Rats
Philosophy
The program focus is on overall player development. We want this to be fun and enjoyable
for the entire family and provide the proper development for your child to enhance his or
her skills.
The Troy Albany Jr. River Rats Youth Hockey Association is a Tier I USA Hockey “Tournament
Bound” program. All teams will practice and play mainly out of the Frear Park Ice Arena and
the Albany County Hockey Facility. The Troy Albany Jr. River Rats program will be the most
complete instructional program in the Capital District!!!
GOAL
Select the players with the most skill, ability and potential for growth at each level. If a
player gets cut from their desired team the program is set up to provide the skill
development needed at the next level for the player’s skills to grow.
Contact Information
Martha Mainello- kevinjcase1150@aol.com
Cathy Secor- cyharegistrar@aol.com
(Informational Packet 04/15/09) Page 1
We know that tryouts can be a stressful and trying time for all families. The Troy Albany
Jr. River Rats would like to make it as stress free as possible. We have put together the
following information and encourage everyone to review the information before the
tryouts begin.
General Rules of Tryouts:
1) Any player that did not play at either CYHA or TAYHA last season must bring the following paperwork on
the first night of tryouts. If you do not have this paperwork, you will be unable to tryout.
* Birth Certificate or Passport
* An original, signed copy of a Player Release from your 2008-2009 NYSAHA Association (we cannot
take photocopies)
Plan ahead. If you need a release from your current organization, we highly recommend requesting it early
to give your current association time to process your request.
2) Any player that owes money or did not return their jerseys to either TAYHA or CYHA or owes money to
their prior year TAYHA/CYHA team is ineligible to tryout.
3) The tryout schedule is subject to change. Please check the CYHA/TAYHA websites frequently to ensure
that you do not miss a critical tryout date or time change. Coaching announcements for the Travel
Combined level will also be made via the website.
4) The cost of tryouts is $45. The fee includes the use of a tryout piney. Every player must have a tryout
piney when they are on the ice. To help keep tryout costs for future years down, please make sure all
piney’s are returned. The tryout fee can be paid in cash, money order or check. Checks should be made out
to Troy Albany Youth Hockey Association.
5) On the final night of the April tryouts, if your child makes a team, you will be required to:
* Fill out the Registration Packet completely;
* Fill out and sign the Player Commitment Form; and
* Write a check for a deposit of $500. This deposit is non-refundable once you have been accepted
and committed to a team. The remaining balance of your team fee will be split into two equal payments –
second payment due by July 1, 2009 and final balance due by October 1, 2009. A Sibling Discount of $100
each will be offered to the 2nd, 3rd etc. child in the same immediate family. We will also offer a half price
Goalie Discount to all full-time goalies on AAA and Combined Travel teams. House/Local Travel
goalies on teams from Squirt level up will receive a $200 discount.
The Tryout Process
If you understand the process and plan ahead, tryouts should be an easy, fun and exciting
process for you and your child.
(Informational Packet 04/15/09) Page 2
1) Check the schedule to determine when and where you need to be for tryouts.
2) Be at tryouts at least 45 minutes early. There may be long lines, depending on the number of people
trying out. Ensure that your child is well nourished well rested for tryouts.
3) At the registration table your paperwork will be inspected to ensure it is complete and then your child
will be given a piney. Only the piney color and number will be logged onto an Evaluation Form that will be
used by the independent evaluators and coaches.
4) Your child can then go to the assigned dressing rooms and get ready for the tryout. Please make sure
you that your child returns the piney after each session.
5) All players should be prepared to bring their best efforts to try-outs. Players will be selected based on
their individual skills and game sense. They will be run through a 3 night tryout that will include individual
skill drills, small games and scrimmage time.
6) When you arrive for the 2nd or 3rd night of tryouts, your child will need to check in with the registration
table prior to going to the dressing room. He will receive his piney and we will log in on the form for that
night’s tryout session. If they don’t check in, they won’t be on the form.
7) Check at the Registration Table each night to see if there will be any cuts on that particular night.
Unfortunately, not every child can be accepted onto a team and there is no easy way to reduce the tryout
field to get to the final selections. No matter what you have heard, these tryouts will be fair and above
board at all levels! Players will be evaluated by a panel of experienced independent evaluators and
coaches. The majority will rule on each player’s ability. We will post a list in the rink if there are any “cuts”
that have been made. The intent is to have a team of 16 players for each team. On the final night of
tryouts, we will post the final tryout results at the rink. While this method may seem more painful to those
players who did not make the team, we feel it necessary for the purposes of collecting all required
paperwork from those that do make the team.
8) Please remember that if your child is not selected for a particular team, it is not a reflection on your
child, or you. It is simply that the evaluators and the coach felt that there was another player who
better fit the team’s needs. If your child is not selected on an AAA Tier I team we encourage you to
tryout for the Combined Travel team to continue your child’s skill development. If your child is not
selected on a Combined Travel, we encourage you to enroll in a House/Local Travel program where
you child be able to develop their skills and play competitive hockey.
(Informational Packet 04/15/09) Page 3
Tryout Dates for 2009-2010 Season
Location: Albany County Hockey Facility
AAA Major/ Minor (April 21, 22, and 23)
Level Birth Year Time
Mite Minor 2002
5:30 – 6:30 pm
Mite Majors 2001
Squirt Minor 2000
6:30 – 7:30 pm
Squirt Major 1999
Pee Wee
Minor 1998 7:45 – 8:45 pm
Pee Wee
Major 1997
Bantam Minor
Bantam Major 1996 9:00 – 10:00 pm
1995
Travel Combined A, A/B, and B (April 27, 28, and 29)
Level Birth Year Time
Mites 2002 and 2001 5:30 – 6:30 pm
Squirts 2000 and 1999 6:30 – 7:30 pm
Pee Wee 1998 and 1997 7:45 – 8:45 pm
Bantams 1996 and 1995 9:00 – 10:00 pm
(Informational Packet 04/15/09) Page 4
Troy Albany Jr. River Rats Programs
Troy Albany Jr. River Rats Programs
Learn To Skate (Cost: $85 for 20 Weeks)
Learn To Skate (Cost: $85 for 20 Weeks)
For age 3 and up. Professional instruction provided by Dave Randall and the North American Hockey Systems. Basic
skating skills will be taught. Focus is on fun, physical development and sociable environment. Helmets with cage,
skates, knee and elbow pads, and warm gloves are required. First 40 enrollees will be loaned the necessary
equipment for free. Players will skate once a week on Saturday morning at Albany County or Saturday late morning at
Frear Park. Season begins mid October.
Cross-Ice ($200 for 20 weeks)
Cross-Ice ($200 for 20 weeks)
For ages 4 – 7 with some skating skill required. This program is designed by USA Hockey and the focus of this program
is having fun and learning the basic skills of hockey. The players will be developing their skills of skating forward and
backwards, balance, starts/stops, basic shooting, and basic stick handling. Full hockey equipment is required. First
40 enrollees will be loaned the necessary equipment for free. Players will skate once a week on Friday evening or
Saturday morning. Season begins mid October.
House / Locall Travell
House / Loca Trave
(Miites $450)) (Squiirts – Bantams $700)
(M tes $450 (Squ rts – Bantams $700)
These programs are designed to provide opportunities to play for enjoyment, fitness, relaxation and fellowship.
Concepts such as power skating, passing, back checking, offensive and defensive play are introduced and developed
as the year progresses. Skill development and team concepts are stressed rather than winning. Teams will play each
other and other local teams throughout the season and be offered a weekly skill development session at a reduced
cost in addition to their regular practice time. Assessment of players will occur in order to provide for the
equalization of teams. Expectation for each team to play approximately 30 games throughout the season. Fee
includes 15 home games and 1 home tounament. Season begins early October.
Troy Allbany Ice Cats
Troy A bany Ice Cats
(12U – 19U $1,180 / Prep Players $400)
The Troy Albany Ice Cats program has traditionally had teams for girls at all levels from 12U to 19U. The Ice Cats
program continues to grow in size and quality and players of all levels have an opportunity to play on teams that best
fit their skill levels. The Ice Cats have won 5 State Championships at the Tier 1 and 2 levels and have competed at
Nationals twice in the last three years. All teams have quality coaching and players are able to meet the goals they
set for themselves. To date, 45 of our Ice Cats have gone on to play college hockey at the Division 1 or 3 levels.
Richard E. Scammell is the Ice Cats Program Director.
(Informational Packet 04/15/09) Page 5
Travel Combined Junior Engineers
Squiirtt -- Banttam (($1400))
Squ r Ban am $1400
Miittes (($1100))
M es $1100
This program will offer A, A/B, and B level travel teams to play other competitive hockey programs. A balance
of winning and sportsmanship is stressed as well as travel for increased competition. High level coaching by
qualified volunteers and players are selected at a competitive open tryout by independent evaluators. Season
begins mid September and ends in mid March.
Competitive League Play (24 Home Games)
The Travel Combined teams will have an option to play in the Greater Springfield League, Patriot League, or
the New England Hockey league. The league will be based on the best fit for each travel combined team.
50+ Game Season is anticipated.
Minimum of two practices each week
24 half Ice Practice Sheets twice a week
Skill and Development
Highly qualified skill instructors, including RPI and Albany River Rats coaches and players, will provide on-ice
instruction each week at a reduced cost of $10 to all levels.
(Informational Packet 04/15/09) Page 6
AAA Junior River Rats
Squiirtt Miinor -- Banttam (($1700))
Squ r M nor Ban am $1700
Miitte Majjor (($1200))
M e Ma or $1200
The programs focus is the development of players seeking to play at the highest level of competition. This
is accomplished through high-level coaching, intense practices, specialized forward and defensive training
and a competitive game schedule. Players are selected at a competitive open tryout by independent
evaluators. Extensive game travel is expected, along with entry in highly competitive tournaments including
the New York State Championships. Season begins in early September and ends mid March.
Highly Competitive League Play (26 Home Games)
New England Hockey League – Developing into one of the premiere AAA leagues in the United
States. Opponents include elite AAA programs like Springfield Falcons, Valley Junior Warriors,
Vermont Glades, New Hampshire Avalanche, and Assabet Valley
50+ Game Season
Minimum of two practices each week
24 Full Practice Sheets and 24 half Ice Practice Sheets - 1 ½ hours long
Mites will receive 48 half ice practice sheets – 1 ½ long
Skill and Development Sessions at Athletic Republic/Hockey Hut (20 Sessions)
Each Squirt thru Bantam AAA team is guaranteed a third night of skill and development throughout
the season. This specialized training will take place at the Athletic Republic/Hockey Hut facility, a
state of the art hockey training facility. More information on the facility is found at –
www.myhockeyhut.com
Miidget Fullll Season
M dget Fu Season
We are making plans to have a Midget 19U, Midget 16U, Midget A, B and C as well as a Before and After
program. Please check the website often for updates on this level.
(Informational Packet 04/15/09) Page 7
Troy Albany Jr. River Rats Coaches
Mite Major – Head Coach - Neil O’Connor
Squirt Minor – Head Coach – Chris Fess
Assistant Coach – Bill Murray
Squirt Major – Head Coach – Bill Lubin
Assistant Coach – Larry DiScanio
PeeWee Minor – Head Coach – Dieter Bloom
PeeWee Major – Head Coach – Ron Kuhl
Bantam Minor – Co-Head Coach – Eric Cavosie
Co – Head Coach – Michele Dion
Bantam Major – Head Coach - Wayne McDougall
Assistant Coach – Adam Penrose
Practice Coach – Dave Gray
ALL OTHER COACHES WILL BE NAMED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
(Informational Packet 04/15/09) Page 8