More Than a Team Placement: Helping Our Young Flyers Navigate Tryouts
For many players, tryouts are one of the most exciting — and sometimes nerve-wracking — parts of the hockey season. There's anticipation, excitement, a little uncertainty, and probably some big feelings along the way.
And that's okay!
As our youngest travel players, our Squirts, prepare for tryouts, we want to remind families of something important: These are 10- and 11-year-old kids who are still learning, growing, and developing — both as hockey players and as people.
Tryouts are an opportunity to evaluate where players are right now and place them in an environment where they can continue to learn, compete, build confidence, and enjoy the game. They are not a prediction of who will be the best hockey player in five years.
Before Tryouts: Focus on What They Can Control
It's natural for players to want to make a particular team, especially if that's where their friends hope to play. Having goals is a great thing!
But rather than focusing conversations on which team they might make, encourage your player to focus on what they can control:
Give their best effort.
- Listen and follow instructions.
- Be a good teammate.
- Keep working after mistakes.
- Have fun playing hockey!
Remind them that they don't need to be perfect. Every player will make mistakes, miss passes, and have moments they wish they could redo. What matters is how they respond.
During Tryouts: Give Them Space to Play
At LFYH, tryouts are closed to spectators. This is intentional.
We want our players to have the opportunity to focus on hockey without the added pressure of an audience, distractions from the stands, or conversations about how individual players are performing.
For some kids, simply knowing Mom or Dad isn't watching every shift can help them relax, trust their instincts, and play their game.
As parents, one of the best things we can do during tryouts is give our players that space, encourage them to do their best, and trust the evaluation process.
We also encourage families to avoid comparing players, predicting team placements, or discussing who should or shouldn't make a particular team — particularly around the kids.
Remember, these players are teammates, classmates, and friends. Long after tryouts are over, those relationships will still matter.
After Tryouts: The Conversation Matters
Some players will be thrilled with their team placement. Others may be disappointed. Some might be upset about not playing with a close friend.
All of those feelings are normal.
If your player is disappointed, give them room to feel that way. You don't have to immediately fix it, explain it, or convince them they shouldn't be upset.
Instead, remind them that a team placement reflects where they are in their development today — not what they're capable of becoming.
Players grow at different rates. Confidence changes. Skills develop. Some kids hit their stride early, while others find theirs a little later.
There is no single path to becoming a great hockey player.
And remember, how we respond as parents can shape how our children respond, too.
One Association. All Flyers.
Whether a player is placed on the A team or the B team, they are equally important members of Little Falls Youth Hockey.
Every team deserves encouragement. Every player deserves respect. Every child deserves the opportunity to feel proud of wearing a Flyers jersey.
At 10 or 11 years old, hockey should still be about learning new skills, making friends, building confidence, competing, and having fun.
The goal isn't just to make a certain team this October. It's to help these kids love hockey enough to keep playing for years to come.
Good luck to all our Squirt players! Work hard, have fun, and remember — we're proud to have you as Flyers, no matter which team you're on.
If you are looking for some additional resources to help you navigate this time of year - here are a few additional articles.
https://www.minnesotahockey.org/news_article/show/1366556
https://www.minnesotahockey.org/news_article/show/1184542
Kari Houle
Little Falls Youth Hockey