Player Placement Policy

Evaluation sessions to determine 10U, 12U, and 14U level player placement for the next season are held at the end of the current season, usually mid-March to early April. Although 8U-level players are evaluated at this time, player placements are not finalized until the beginning of the new season. There are no placement sessions for the Little Devils Learn-To-Play Hockey program or at the 18U level. 

Player placement is the process of determining the best fit for players, teams, and the organization. The format consists of two parts – skills and scrimmages. Skills, including skating, passing, shooting, puck handling, and competition drills, are assessed. Scrimmages are used to evaluate hockey sense and team play. All players must attend both sessions to determine team assignments.

Our philosophy is that coaches gain significant insight into returning players throughout the season, and all coaches assess players. Teams will consist of players with similar abilities and development potential, and roster sizes are also influenced by the number of registered players. Players with comparable skills may span two teams. First versus second-year players within an age group is a factor in roster assignment. Taken together these results are used by the SMS Board of Directors to determine team rosters. If disagreements on team assignments arise, re-evaluation may be requested.

SMS Board of Directors