KNIGHTS SELECT TEAMS WIN U14 (TIER 2) AND U10 (TIER 2)
The following are frequently asked questions for the Select program.
Do the Knights have Select teams in all age groups?
Is body contact or checking permitted for Select teams in the North York Hockey League (NYHL)?
What uniforms are provided by the Knights Select to each player?
Who determines ice time for the players?
Why do Select players have to attend House League practices?
What is the approximate additional cost of playing on a Select team?
When and in what arenas are Select games and practices scheduled?
Are current Select players guaranteed a roster spot on the team the following year?
Do Select players ‘play-up’ into the next age division in House League?
What are some important differences between a Select and House League program?
Do the Knights have Select teams in all age groups?
If there are a sufficient number of Select calibre players attending the scheduled tryouts, the Knights will have at least one Select team at each age level. The Knights try to support two teams at the younger age levels.
Is body contact or checking permitted for Select teams in the North York Hockey League (NYHL)?
No. As of the 2011-2012 hockey season, body-checking is not permitted in any of the NYHL age divisions. There will be incidental contact, just as there is in soccer or basketball, but the elimination of body-checking reduces contact considerably.
What uniforms are provided by the Knights Select to each player?
Included in the annual fee for a Select player is the cost of a Home and an Away jersey and two sets of matching game socks.
Who determines ice time for the players?
The coaches determine ice time. However, there are no Buzzer Divisions in the younger age groups for Select, all of which change ‘on the fly’. This means that ice time for each player can vary more reflecting the competitive nature of the Select program and the flow of any given game. A player may be benched for disciplinary reasons, including missing practices without excuse or undisciplined play. That being said, the Knights overall philosophy of approximately equal ice time for all players applies to Select teams as well. Our basic instruction to our Select coaches is “if you pick them, you play them”.
Why do Select players have to attend House League practices?
Select players are expected to play/support the House League program. House League teams provide the opportunity for weaker players to learn from their interaction with the more skilled Select players. Select players also benefit by playing at different positions, by handling the puck more often and under less pressure. Practices allow for more social interaction among players and help foster the importance of team spirit. Finally, the allocation of Select players among House League teams is a key part of team balancing; and the absence of Select players can have a significant impact on the balance of play in a game. Select players who miss House League games and practices may be suspended from Select until their attendance improves at House League.
What is the approximate additional cost of playing on a Select team?
Select budgets will depend on the team’s activities including possible skills sessions, extra practice times and the number of tournaments entered offset by sponsorships garnered for the team. The Select fee can range from a minimum of $600 to over $1400 per player. The minimum player fee of approximately $600 (based on a team fee of $9500 divided by 16 players) includes Home and Away sweaters and socks, entry fee for one tournament, coach and player insurance, team and individual photos and the team entry fee for the North York Hockey League.
When and in what arenas are Select games and practices scheduled?
Select games are scheduled during the week (Monday to Friday) for the North York Knights to avoid conflicts with House League games and practices. There will be occasions (playoffs) where the NYHL may ask the Knights to consent to a Saturday game. The games are played in a wider geographic perimeter that includes the North York arenas, but also arenas further east (in Scarborough), west (in Etobicoke) and north (Vaughan) to compete against teams from other house league organizations in the Greater Toronto Area. Practices are usually held on the weekend (Sunday morning) at one of several North York arenas, including the York Mills, Bayview, Mitchell Field, Baycrest, Fenside, Amesbury and Pleasantview arenas (see Arena tab on the website). Arenas will be assigned to teams/divisions once the teams are formed in October. Parents/players on Select teams cannot choose in which arenas or at what time they will be practicing. Generally the earlier morning practice ice is assigned to younger teams.
Are current Select players guaranteed a roster spot on the team the following year?
No. There is a tryout every year in April to form the team in each age division. Each year there can be some player movement as players move to or return from the GTHL or leave the team for personal circumstances. However, the probability is usually high that the majority of the players will return to the team with the exception of the Novice division where there can be a large exodus to the GTHL’s Minor Atom entry level.
Do Select players ‘play-up’ into the next age division in House League?
Select/Select calibre players in the older age group band of the Minor Novice Division and in core age group of the Novice Division are required to ‘play-up’ with the next division. Select/Select calibre players in older age divisions may be encouraged to ‘play-up’ with an older age group or division, if warranted by player size and overall ability.
What are some important differences between a Select and House League program?
Three important differences between the House League and Select programs are:
1. The Select program is more competitive with stronger skaters having better puck handling and shooting skills that improve over the course of the year by virtue of the additional practices and games.
2. Select participation involves higher costs due to the additional costs of ice time, NYHL entry and tournament fees.
3. The time commitment is greater in Select due to weekday games at more distant arenas, participation in tournaments and the extra weekend practice.