Welcome to the Oakridge Aeros Minor PeeWee MD tryouts for the 2018/2019 season!!!
I hope you all had an amazing summer and cannot wait to get onto the ice. I am extremely excited to be able to have the opportunity of coaching this season.
The game of hockey has given me so many opportunities in life and as well as made some great connections all over the world. I grew up playing my minor hockey in Forest, ON. I left minor hockey at the age of 16, to pursue Jr. hockey.
1996-1998 – Alvinston Flyers Jr. C
1998-1999 – Sarnia Sting Jr. A OHL, Petrolia Jets Jr. B, Sarnia Steeplejacks Jr. B, Tampa Bay Blades Jr. A
1999-2000 – Daytona Racers Jr. A
1999-2000 – Wallaceburg Lakers Jr. C
2000-2001 – Wallaceburg Lakers Jr. C
I played 2 seasons with the Alvinston Flyers Jr. C and then at the age of 18, played 5 exhibition games with the Sarnia Sting in the OHL. I split this season with the Petrolia Jets/Sarnia Steeplejacks Jr. B. I was then invited at the end of that season to play hockey in the sunny south, to play Jr. A hockey in Tampa Bay, Florida. When I was 19, I was invited back to Florida to play in Daytona Beach. This was such an amazing experience! I returned back to Ontario in late December due to a family health concern. I needed to find a team to play Jr. hockey so I reached out to a previous coach who was in Wallaceburg with the Lakers Jr. C to finish off the season. We ended up the Finalists of the league. I returned the next season back in Wallaceburg for my final Jr. season. We ended up being the Finalists, 2 years straight. I also managed to be 2nd overall in points in the entire league. I had such a fun time playing hockey and traveling all over Ontario and the USA, so many great experiences were had. I cannot wait to see how much the team will grow through all of their experiences.
At the conclusion of my Jr. career, my passion then turned to teaching the game of hockey that I grew up playing and loving.
2002-2003 - Forest Midget A – OMHA Finalists CC
2005-2006 - Forest Minor Midget
2006-2007 - Forest Midget A – OMHA Champions CC
2007-2008 -Alvinston Flyers Jr. C
2014-2015 - London Lakers Jr. A
With my coaching philosophy, I will focus on 5 key things; hard work, dedication, leadership, improving skill and having fun. I will create a positive and fun atmosphere in a competitive environment. I will teach my players to respect teammates, coaching staff, opponents, referees and most important, the parents. I will create an environment of learning, teamwork, dedication and team commitment. Bullying and disrespecting teammates or any unsafe behavior will not be tolerated or accepted.
MD teams have additional costs that are needed to cover the costs of extra ice time, 4 tournaments and additional items which are disclosed in the team budget. This cost is approximately $800 per player. We will look into fundraising to help bring this cost down. We also strongly encourage each player to look into sponsorship's at the very beginning of the season.
We are currently paid and signed up into 3 away and 1 home tournament:
St. Catherines - October 12-14, 2018
Cambridge - November 9-11, 2018
Halton Hills - December 7-9, 2018
West London - January 18-20, 2019
Away tournaments will have additional hotel costs covered by each family. We DID NOT book a tournament during the Christmas/New Year’s holidays. However, we do ask that there will not be any holidays taken during March Break as this will be Playoff Season.
Tryouts
I encourage all parents to subscribe to the team calendar so that you will receive all information updates. Please bring a water bottle, a positive attitude and a smile. Assigned jerseys with a number will be supplied at each tryout date. I will have a team of evaluators who have a great knowledge of hockey and are outside of Oakridge Minor Hockey. Some of the on-ice help will be from other MD coaches within the Oakridge system.
Tryout dates are TBA, you will receive an update, once dates are added. Please check this website and team calendar throughout the tryout process for schedule and roster changes.
MD Playoffs play during MARCH BREAK.
Oakridge Minor Hockey will provide a refund of fees, less the tryout fee, to those not selected. Those not selected, will also receive a feedback email from myself.
I wish all of the players the BEST OF LUCK and I am looking forward to seeing the players and families back at the rink!
Coach Steve