DS PROGRAM
DS Head Coach Announcement
U11 Head Coach - Michael Forty
U13 Head Coach - Adrian Reugsegger
U15 Head Coach - Jamie Burton
U18 Head Coach - Bryan Joyce
2024-2025 DS PLAYER FEES
| Division |
Rostered Player Fee |
Alternate Player Fee |
| U11 |
$720
|
$300
|
| U13 |
$720
|
$300
|
| U15 |
$720 |
$300 |
| U18 |
$720 |
$300 |
Overview
The House League Development Stream Program (DS) began in 2011 as a pilot project in response to requests from members of the OWHA to find a solution to bridge the gap between house league and competitive (rep) play. The OWHA determines which programs are allowed to run and the number of practices, games and tournaments at each age level in any given season.
Attendance at House League (HL) and DS Practices and Games
House League (HL) games and practices take priority over all Development Stream (DS) activities, including tryouts, practices, games, and tournaments, as HL is a core component of the CYGHA player experience. Players are required to attend all scheduled HL games and practices, and if they need to miss an HL game or practice for any reason, they must communicate this in advance with their HL coaching staff and the DS coach/convenor. Approved absences may include but are not limited to, illness, injury, medical appointments, work obligations, or family commitments. If a player misses an HL game or practice without prior communication or an approved absence, they will be ineligible to participate in any DS activities during the same weekend. Both players and their parents or guardians are responsible for meeting these communication and attendance requirements to ensure the smooth operation of both HL and DS programs and to support the player's full development and participation.
HL games, practices, and tournaments take priority over all DS programming. Exceptions include when a DS tournament is scheduled over a HL blackout weekend where HL might have either a game or a practice that weekend but not both.
Who can play?
It is important to note that the DS program supplements the house league program, meaning that all DS players must be registered in house league and attend house league games and practices regularly. This may result in players having two games/practices on the same day. DS teams will not schedule games or practices that conflict with the house league schedule.
How can players try out?
All divisions will have open try-outs run by on-ice instructors. Player cuts will be made such that teams will have a maximum of 17 rostered players (2 goalies and 15 skaters). There are up to 5 spots for alternates to practice with the team and play when rostered players are absent. Players will be selected based on skills and abilities shown during the tryout process.
How many games and practices will there be?
The OWHA has stipulated that DS teams can play a maximum of 8 exhibition (4 home, 4 away) games against other DS teams and enter a maximum of 3 tournaments
- The Three Tournaments are: Scarborough (January), Durham West (February), and Brampton (March)
- U11, U13 and U15 DS teams will have ice assigned, mostly in Bradford, on Sunday afternoons for practices and home games. Each team will get at least 10 practices.
- U18 DS team will have some weeknights and some Saturday night ice assigned for games and practices. U18 will get at least 10 hours of practice time.
- DS teams will also have the opportunity to invite a CYGHA Panther High Performance coach to run one or two of their practices as well as invitations to Saturday morning skills sessions at SAC.
How much travel will be involved?
This will depend on what other associations will be skating DS teams. We anticipate that associations such as Barrie, Leaside, Durham West, Markham, Whitby and Etobicoke will have teams.
How much will it cost?
Costs are based on ice times, tournaments, team registration fees, referees and timekeepers. Jerseys must be returned at the end of the season, socks and practice jersey you may keep.
Evaluation Process
The player evaluation process for DS will consist of both skills assessments and scrimmages to provide a comprehensive evaluation of each player's abilities. The head coach, and an impartial evaluation panel, including individuals who are independent of the coaching staff, will oversee the assessments to ensure fairness and objectivity throughout the process.
REGISTER FOR TRYOUTS