🏒 The Hockey Tryout Playbook

How to Prepare, Perform, and Stand Out in Every Tryout

Are you or your child heading into the most stressful time of the hockey season? Whether it’s AAA, prep, or junior-level tryouts — this is the guide every hockey family needs.

Written by a seasoned hockey dad who's lived the ups, downs, and politics of the tryout process, The Hockey Tryout Playbook is packed with proven strategies, planning tools, mindset coaching, and real-world insights. It’s everything we wish we knew before stepping into those cold rinks hoping our kid would “just get a fair shot.”

📘 Honest, practical advice for players and parents.

✅ What You'll Learn:

• What coaches are really watching for
• How to prepare physically, mentally, and emotionally
• What to do if you’re cut — and how to bounce back stronger
• How to support your child without adding pressure
• Game-tested tools, checklists, email templates, and reflection sheets

📂 Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION

• Why This Playbook Matters

SECTION 1: UNDERSTANDING THE TRYOUT PROCESS

• What Coaches Are Really Looking For
• Common Misconceptions About Tryouts
• Differences by Age, Level, and Region
• The Timeline: When to Start Preparing

SECTION 2: PHYSICAL PREPARATION

• Off-Ice Conditioning Plan (6–8 Weeks Out)
• On-Ice Skills to Prioritize
• Position-Specific Drills
• Rest, Recovery, and Injury Prevention

SECTION 3: MENTAL GAME & CONFIDENCE

• Developing a Tryout Mindset
• Managing Stress, Nerves, and Expectations
• Visualization & Self-Talk
• Reframing Pressure as Opportunity

SECTION 4: STRATEGIC GAMEPLAY INSIGHTS

• What Coaches Evaluate During Scrimmages
• Smart Plays That Get You Noticed
• Mistakes to Avoid at All Costs
• Playing Without the Puck

SECTION 5: OFF-ICE IMPRESSIONS

• Bench Behavior and Body Language
• Locker Room Conduct
• Communicating with Coaches Professionally

SECTION 6: PARENT ROLE DURING TRYOUTS

• What to Do (and Not Do)
• Handling Politics and Pre-Selected Rosters
• Car Ride Rules and Emotional Support
• How to Frame Cuts and Successes

SECTION 7: EVALUATION, FEEDBACK & NEXT STEPS

• Asking for Feedback
• What a “Cut” Really Means
• Building a Development Plan
• Staying on a Coach’s Radar

SECTION 8: SAMPLE PLANS, CHECKLISTS & TEMPLATES

• 4-Week Conditioning Calendar
• Tryout Readiness Checklist
• Daily Self-Assessment Template
• Sample Follow-Up Email
• What to Pack
• Coach Comparison Tracker

BONUS SECTION

• Real Stories from Families
• Sample Tryout Day Itinerary
• Handling Invite-Only Tryouts
• Finding Spring & Summer Opportunities

CONCLUSION

• Final Words of Support from One Hockey Parent to Another

If you're serious about giving your player a real edge this tryout season — without the chaos, confusion, or guesswork — this guide is your blueprint.

🎯 Preparation builds confidence. Confidence gets noticed.

Grab The Hockey Tryout Playbook today and step into tryouts ready.