Joining the Team

Potential Churchill Ice Hockey Families,

Each August the hockey program starts dryland training.  Any interested student can sign-up, and information will be posted here the first week of August.  It's typically 3 days-a-week for 2-3 hours at Churchill HS.

In September, the club holds on-ice evaluation sessions (usually 3 1-1.5 hour sessions over 3 days in mid-September.)  During these sessions the Coaching staff will determine the best placement of players on JV or Varsity rosters.  Player experience typically is at the travel hockey B, A or higher level through the  Montgomery Youth Hockey Association (MYHA), TriCities, or other leagues.  Very high level house players can also tryout, but high school hockey, even at the JV level, is full-checking, high skill and high speed - it's doable but a significant jump from house league to high school.

The coaching staff will make the decision of what roster a player will be placed on.  This will be based on player skill level relative to the rest of the players in the Club and in the Maryland Student Hockey League (MSHL.)  This means, for instance, that the level of where a player previously or currently plays outside of the Maryland Student Hockey League does not assure or negate a spot on a varsity roster.  

If a player wants to experience the excitement of high school hockey, we strive to provide that, however, hockey at this level is a full-checking, full-slapshot, fast-paced competitive game at both the JV and Varsity divisions.  As such, a player trying out realistically needs to have this level of playing experience.  Lower skilled players will get ice time at practices, but may have limited or no game playing time for the safety of all involved.* 

Players are required by the league to maintain at least a 2.0 GPA, and by the Club to strive for a 3.0 GPA or better.

Once placed on a team, the coaches for that team will determine a player's position.  If a player enjoys and is good at a particular position (wing, center, defense, goalie) and the team has a need at that position, that’s likely where the coaches will place the player.  Coaches are open to and appreciate a player's opinion and feedback.  However, the coaches, like on any team, have the final say.  

Student-athletes are expected to develop self-advocacy skills at the high school level, and the Club and the coaches will help them along that journey.  Unlike lower age groups where parents may be heavily involved as intermediaries between the children and their coaches, that is not the case for high school sports. 

Parents are expected to support their young adults through their teen years - to guide them in how to advocate by themselves, respect the decisions of the coaches, referees or other authorities, and allow their players to experience the joys and disappointments of the sport.  Parents must also volunteer to help the Club with game day operations (running the clock, crowd or penalty box monitor, scorekeeper) or with major tasks (banquet planning, merchandise, senior night, etc.)  It is important that parents be supportive  but let players work through challenges  and setbacks.  These aspects of sports play a pivotal role in nurturing confidence and resilience, essential for confronting life's challenges. 

For additional information please send an email to: wchs_hockey@outlook.com

*Any student planning to play high school hockey is highly encouraged to play at least very high level MYHA House league, and preferably travel team where full-checking is allowed, or higher, and get as much playing and practice time as possible prior to 9th grade.