SMHA Player Expectations

• Find joy at the rink
• Team-first attitude
• Treat all others with kindness and respect
• Do your best
• Look to grow your game and yourself
• Make the Smithers Storm proud

SMHA U11 Competitive Development

SMHA Coach Application Form

SMHA PROCESS FOR CONSIDERATION OF EXEMPLARY ATHLETES

PREAMBLE:

As a matter of principle or best practice, it is strongly recommended by the Smithers Minor Hockey Association (SMHA) to have all athletes play in their appropriate age divisions. SMHA also recognizes that every so often there can be exceptional circumstances where exemplary athletes could see their development impaired significantly if they are not granted the exception to participate in an age division above their own. SMHA believes in providing a positive and holistic athlete development model for all membership. The process below allows our association the best possible opportunity to remain consistent and transparent while we strive to meet this goal.

DEFINITION OF “EXEMPLARY”

An athlete with uncommon, superior, distinguished, remarkable, or exclusive ability and drive. In addition to hockey abilities, the athlete must possess physical, psychological, social and emotional abilities beyond their current age division and be suitable to have success at a higher age division.

APPLICATION PROCESS

In order to be in consideration, the player’s parent(s) or legal guardian(s) must submit, prior to September 1^st, an application to the SMHA Executive. This application can be sent through mail or email to either the President or Head Coach of SMHA. This application must include a fee of $250.00 payable to SMHA. Once received, the application will be reviewed. If all required material is present, the athlete will be granted permission for evaluation.  If the application is incomplete, all material and payment will be returned, and the applicant will be declared ineligible. The $250.00 fee will be refunded if the athlete is approved to play at the higher age division. If they are unsuccessful, they will not be refunded the $250.00.

EVALUATION PROCESS

SMHA will appoint an objective panel of three knowledgeable hockey individuals, one of which will be the Head Coach of SMHA. This panel will comprehensively review the application material prior to watching the athlete in a minimum of, but not limited to, two practices and one scrimmage. Once the panel has reached its decision, they will communicate their recommendations to the SMHA Executive. It must be emphasized that approval is based on all factors of the application, not just on-ice ability.

REQUIREMENTS FOR APPROVAL

• Exemplary on-ice abilities. Must be seen by the panel as one of the five most valuable athletes in the age division above that they are being evaluated with.
• Must possess all necessary maturities to develop wholesomely at this new age division.
• Written essay of 500 words or less from the athlete and/or parent(s)/guardian(s), explaining why this is essential for the athlete’s growth and development.
• Favourable “Coach Questionnaire” from most recent or relevant coach.
• Favourable “Teacher Questionnaire” from most recent or relevant teacher.
• Fee of $250.00
• All components of the application received prior to September 1^st.

Download the complete form and outline here:

SMHA Process For Consideration of Exemplary Athletes