The madness of ice hockey tryouts in Western New York are over. If there is one word to describe the atmosphere of what goes on here that would be "CHAOS"!
For those unfamiliar with how we do things here, let me summarize. Every organization (15+) has tryouts on the exact same night at the exact same time. Sometimes you might be fortunate enough to be able to attend tryouts for two different organizations on the same night, but most of the time that is impossible. First you must decide which organization you want to play for. Usually your first choice is the one located at the rink closest to you. However, sometimes there is greener grass elsewhere so you take the risk and head to unfamiliar territory.
Tryout Night #1
You have made the decision to tryout for Organization A. If you are a returning player, this makes perfect sense if you are happy there. Most of the time, the returning players are re-signed because they are a known entity. The other scenario is you are new to the organization and you have roughly 1 hour to impress coaches who might have never seen you before. However many coaches like to play games and not sign returning players on the first night, leaving them wondering if the should return for the second night or attend a tryout at another organization. This tactic often backfires and the coach loses a good player because of the lack of communication.
Tryout Night #2
If you signed on night #1, no problem. It's just extra ice time. If your not signed yet, you either returned to the same organization for a second night or are at a new organization for your first night there. Obviously there are fewer spots available on the second night. Then you question, did you make the right decision by staying (or going) to the tryout at that particular organization.
Did you make it? Yes! Great worries are over! No! OK, now you are scrambling. Some organizations might still have their second night of tryouts available. Some might even have a third night. Obviously, the number of positions are greatly diminished. Maybe you will find a home.
So what is so bad about this? Big deal, you didn't make a travel team. You can play house. Well, what makes this so bad is that it limits the opportunities for everyone involved. It makes the game worse for everyone involved.
This year several teams at different age levels folded because not enough kids showed up for tryout #1. The team knowing that tryout night #2 is usually poorly attended, decided to fold before even taking the ice. This sends the handful of kids out into no man's land trying desperately to find a team. This is unfair to everyone involved.
The solution is easy. Tryouts need to be staggered so that every player can have the opportunity to skate where ever they wish. It would take slightly longer, but it in the end every team would get better. Allowing players more opportunities makes it better for all involved.
The structure should be as follows:
Week #1. Tier 1 teams have tryouts. Tryouts are staggered so that no two teams have conflicting tryout times at any age level. Perhaps a lottery to determine the order, or some non political selection process to determine the order. This would allow any Tier 2 player to tryout for a Tier 1 team without any detriment to their current team. This would be an eye opener for many Tier 1 teams, because tryout numbers would surge.
Week #2. Tier 2 teams have tryouts. Now any kid that wanted to tryout for Tier 1, has already had the opportunity. Tier 2 team tryouts would be packed with kids that didn't make a team in week one as well as returning players who did not desire to make the Tier 1 move.
Week #3. Tier 3, select & others. These teams would also benefit, because year after year they try to compete with the other tryout schedules and are often the red headed step child of the group. Under the new system, anyone who did not make a team in week 1 & 2 would have an opportunity. Again, I feel numbers at tryouts would increase.
But as usual in WNY, the debate will continue and nothing will change.
