There were double the tears last night.

Tears for the Toronto Maple Leafs’ stunning loss against the Boston Bruins in overtime after a 4-1 lead;

and tears because my son didn’t make the minor rep hockey team.

He was devastated. Of course I was saddened for him and very disappointed.

I swear it felt like the game on TV last night mirrored what happened to us – a strong journey and then it all just fell apart.

The rep hockey tryout process is gruelling emotionally and physically. There are levels of rep teams – from AAA to AE – and there are three tryouts for every level and cuts after each tryout. For example, my son made it through one cut of A level hockey but then got cut; he then made it through two tryouts for AE only to be cut last night.

Seven other hopefuls were also very disappointed last night. That’s eight little hearts broken in one evening – my heart goes out to all of them!

It’s very difficult for the coaches to select players for the teams – but more difficult for the players who are still only 8 and 9 years old. Players can be cut from a higher level also, getting beat out by lower level players who have improved over the past year. Players who were on the team the year before are automatically guaranteed to make it through to the third tryout.

If your child doesn’t start out young in rep hockey (Tyke), it just gets more difficult to make the team. The coaches already have their teams set up and dozens of kids are fighting for just a few spots. In most cases the coaches have 90% of their rosters already filled. If the coach has a child playing on the team, they’re in. Doesn’t seem fair but that’s the way it goes.

To make the team, your child will need to perform exceptionally well – he has to perform even better than those already on the team. Kids have to fight for a spot – that’s a ton of pressure! Like anybody, kids can have an amazing tryout (like my son did up to last night), and can have “off” days too.

Now what?

We pick up and move forward.

He tries out for the Select team again this year, which is kind of like an all-star House League (he was on the Select team last year).

If he really wants to play rep hockey, he’ll have to work even harder this year, improve his skills tremendously, and try out again next year.

He’s already bounced back, the tryout already a distant memory. Love how kids are so resilient. It might take me a bit longer.

No matter what, I’m proud of my son and all that he’s accomplished so far.

“Nothing is impossible to a willing heart.”  ~ Terry Evanshan

Great article on Minor Hockey – “Is Minor Hockey Worth it?”