PRESEASON SKATE/ TRYOUT SCHEDULE
Dear JYH Families,
Welcome to the 2026-2027 Jackson Youth Hockey season! We are excited to see returning players back on the ice and to meet our newest Moose hockey players and we have a lot!!! WOOHOO!!!
Preseason skates are a great way to get moving again, shake off the rust, and gear up for the year ahead, but are not required and are not part of our evaluation process.
Preseason Skates
We will be hosting skates for all registered players at the following levels:
Squirts U10
Peewees U12
Bantams U14
U19 Girls-see adjusted practice times
High School- same times as practice
Sessions will be run by JYH coaches, Moose players, and our Director of Player Development Elliot VanOrsdel. This is an excellent opportunity for players to get ice time and start building team connections before evaluations.
Important Note: ONLY registered players will be allowed on the ice at preseason skates and evaluations. NO exceptions.
Preseason Skate Schedule – October 12-15
Monday, October 12
5:45 – 6:35 PM | Squirts Group #1 (LAST Names A–K)
6:45 – 7:35 PM | Peewees Group #1 (LAST Names A–L)
7:45 – 8:35 PM | Bantams (All)
Tuesday, October 13
7:00 – 8:00 AM | High School
5:45 – 6:35 PM | Squirts Group #2 (LAST Names L–Z)
6:45 – 7:35 PM | Peewees Group #2 (LAST Names M–Z)
7:45 – 8:35 PM | BANTAMS (All)
Wednesday, October 14
7:00 – 8:00 AM | High School
5:45 – 6:35 PM | Squirts Group #1 (LAST Names A–K)
6:45 – 7:35 PM | Peewees Group #1 (LAST Names A–L)
7:45 – 8:35 PM | U19 GIRLS PRACTICE
Thursday, October 15
7:00 – 8:00 AM | High School
5:45 – 6:35 PM | Squirts Group #2 (LAST Names L–Z)
6:45 – 7:35 PM | Peewees Group #2 (LAST Names M–Z)
7:45 – 8:35 PM | BANTAMS ALL
Friday, October 16
7:00 – 8:00 AM | U19 Girls Practice
Evaluations – Squirts, Peewees, Bantams, U19 Girls & High School
Evaluations for the season will be conducted over ONE week. Please note that evening evaluation sessions start at 5:45 PM, 15 minutes later than PREVIOUSLY POSTED
.Monday, October 19
5:45 – 6:35 PM | Squirts Group #1 (LAST Names A–K)
6:45 – 7:35 PM | Peewees Group #1 (LAST Names A–L)
7:45 – 8:35 PM | Bantams (All)
Tuesday, October 20
7:00 – 8:00 AM | High School
5:45 – 6:35 PM | Squirts Group #2 (LAST Names L–Z)
6:45 – 7:35 PM | Peewees Group #2 (LAST Names M–Z)
7:45 – 8:35 PM | Bantams (All)
Wednesday, October 21
7:00 – 8:00 AM | High School
5:45 – 6:35 PM | Squirts ALL
6:45 – 7:35 PM | Peewees ALL
7:45 – 8:35 PM | U19 Girls PRACTICE
Thursday, October 22
7:00 – 8:00 AM | High School
5:45 – 6:35 PM | Squirts ALL
6:45 – 7:35 PM | Peewees ALL
7:45 – 8:35 PM | Bantams ALL
Evaluation Process
Players will be evaluated on skill, ability, fundamentals, coachability, and work ethic.
Evaluators are non-parent coaches, independently hired by JYH. They have no children in the program.
Evaluators receive rosters with jersey numbers only — no names — to ensure objectivity.
All evaluators are held to the highest standards, with no conflicts of interest.
Parent Guidelines
Parents may tie skates for younger players outside of the locker room. Only SafeSport-certified locker room monitors will be allowed inside locker rooms.
In order for players to have access to the locker rooms, we must have certified monitors in place. To become certified, follow the process outlined on our website here (note: certification must be renewed each year, but the process is quicker after the first time).
Once players head to the ice, all parents, locker room monitors and spectators must leave the rink.
These guidelines ensure players can focus and evaluators can do their jobs without distractions.
Additional Important Notes
Mite/Mini-Mite practices are cancelled during these weeks due to evaluations.
Coaches, refs, and evaluators will not be available to assist with dressing or skate-tying.
Evaluation jerseys will be handed out immediately before the first session at a checkout table. Please have players at the rink at least 15-30 minutes early.
Goalies must declare their position at the start and remain goalies throughout the process. Please email elliot@jyhockey.org if your player is declaring as a goalie for evaluations. Goalies are expected to attend all evaluation sessions regardless of last name designations.
Players who do not attend evaluations will be placed on a “B” team at random.
If your player cannot attend a session, you must notify Director of Player Development, Elliot VanOrsdel, in writing at elliot@jyhockey.org.
All teams, including our U8 teams, will start the practice schedule on Monday, October 26th. Please see your updated practice schedule HERE
We look forward to a strong season of growth, competition, and Moose pride. Thank you for supporting Jackson Youth Hockey and helping us create the best experience possible for every player.
Go Moose!
As always please reach out to admin@jyhockey if you have any questions.
Do you still need gear, this week is a great time to stop by the rink because Hockey Stopz out of SLC will be at Snow King all week, so if you are missing anything get it before evaluations this week at the rink.