Evaluations

At Hawks Athletic Club, we take the evaluation process very seriously as it sets the foundation for a successful hockey year for the entire organization (that means you!). If your child is first starting out playing hockey, don't let the below list intimidate you! It is a comprehensive overview to ensure that every player lands in the best place for them.

Our Evaluation Process

Our goal is to have a process that is fair, reliable, and consistent, ensuring that Hawks players are placed in appropriate tiers based on their skill level.

After careful consideration, we have engaged Sports Evaluations to conduct our evaluations this upcoming season. Here’s why we chose them:

  • Transparency: Committed to full transparency in all sports evaluations.
  • Experience: Over 23 years of experience with millions of players evaluated.
  • Integrity: No relation or prior knowledge of any player being evaluated.
  • Passion: Dedicated to providing every child with a fair and equitable evaluation.
  • Fairness: All evaluators are screened and have no affiliation with the players.
  • Unbiased: Evaluators use a confidential platform, ensuring names are not associated with players during evaluations.

Evaluation Criteria

Skating

  • Forward
  • Backward
  • Tight Turns
  • Balance
  • Starts
  • Speed
  • Quickness
  • Agility
  • Edge Control
  • Crossovers
  • Foot Speed
  • Stops
  • Edge Balance

 

Skills

  • Stick Handling / Dekes
  • Forehand / Backhand
  • Dekes / Protection
  • Creativity
  • Shooting (different types)
  • Quick Release (toe drag)
  • Point Shots (Sliding)
  • Accuracy of Shot
  • Shooting in Stride
  • Passing (Choice & Accuracy)
  • Receiving Pass
  • Saucer Pass / Lateral Pass

Offensive/Defensive Tactics

  • Positional Play
  • Knowledge of Game Rules
  • Angling and Gap Control
  • Hockey Sense / IQ
  • Passing / Playmaking
  • Net Drive
  • Attack Triangle / Zone Entries
  • Delays / Cycling
  • Timing
  • Support Teammates
  • Pinching
  • 1 vs 1 / 2 vs 1 Situations
  • Stick Checking
  • Sharing the Puck
  • Interest in the Game

Intangibles

  • Work Ethic
  • Battle / Compete Level
  • Communication
  • Back-Checking
  • Effort on and off the Ice
  • Unselfish Play / Sacrifice
  • Sharing the Puck
  • Involvement in Play
  • Anticipation
Skating Skills Offensive/Defensive Tactics Intangibles
ForwardStick Handling / DekesPositional PlayWork Ethic
BackwardForehand / BackhandKnowledge of Game RulesBattle / Compete Level
Tight TurnsDekes / ProtectionAngling and Gap ControlCommunication
BalanceCreativityHockey Sense / IQBack-Checking
StartsShooting (Different types)Passing / PlaymakingEffort on and off the Ice
SpeedQuick Release (Toe Drag)Net DriveUnselfish Play / Sacrifice
QuicknessPoint Shots (Sliding)Attack Triangle / Zone EntriesSharing the Puck
AgilityAccuracy of ShotDelays / CyclingInvolvement in Play
Edge ControlShooting in StrideTimingAnticipation
Cross OversPassing (Choice & Accuracy)Support Teammates
Foot SpeedReceiving PassPinching
StopsSaucer Pass / Lateral Pass1 vs 1 / 2 vs 1 Situations
Edge BalanceStick Checking
Sharing the Puck
Interest in the Game

Goalie Evaluation Criteria

Goalie Skating Positioning Compete Rebound Control Save Ability Puck Handling
ForwardAnglesFights for puckRebounds to safe areasSavesCan make pass to teammate
BackwardReading of playRecovers wellFocus on puckTrapping of PuckCan stop puck behind net
Side to Side AgilityAnticipation of PlayTraces puck wellTracing of puckSquare to PuckUses glove hand appropriately on stick
BalanceMakes saves look easyLoose puck competeMovement while downTransition from Ice to Stance
Edge WorkRarely out of positionBattles for positionFirst save controlNet Play
Controlled SkatingDoesn’t have to scrambleWill to cover the puckMovement of puck to safe areas
Agility
Strength of Pushes

Goalie Skating

  • Forward
  • Backward
  • Side to Side Agility
  • Balance
  • Edge Work
  • Controlled Skating
  • Agility
  • Strength of Pushes

Positioning

  • Angles
  • Reading of Play
  • Anticipation of Play
  • Makes saves look easy
  • Rarely out of position
  • Doesn't have to scramble

Compete

  • Fights for puck
  • Recovers well
  • Traces puck well
  • Loose puck compete
  • Battles for position
  • Will to cover the puck

Rebound Control

  • Rebounds to safe areas
  • Focus on puck
  • Tracing of puck
  • Movement while down
  • First save control
  • Movement of puck to safe areas

Save Ability

  • Saves
  • Trapping of Puck
  • Square to Puck
  • Transition from Ice to Stance
  • Net Play

Puck Handling

  • Can make pass to teammate
  • Can stop puck behind net
  • Uses glove hand appropriately on stick

Evaluation Scale

The following evaluation scale will be used to assess player performance, ensuring a fair and comprehensive review of their abilities.

8-9: Elite Player/Exceedingly Above Average

The player executes their role effectively and consistently outperforms counterparts. This player had a dominant effect throughout the game and is fully capable of impacting play at this level.

6-7: Above Average/Exceeds Expectations

Good decisions and plays clearly outnumber poor ones. Factors like inconsistent effort or lapses in discipline may prevent a higher rating. This player can compete effectively at this level, with depth being the only limiting factor.

4-5: Meets Expectations/Average

A balanced performance with both good and poor plays. Classified as average, this performance requires more observation. The player made some mistakes, but they were balanced by good decisions, making them a candidate for this level.

2-3: Below Average/Below Expectations

The player struggles to make plays and often makes questionable decisions. Limited effort, hustle, and performance contribute to a rating below average. The player shows potential but has significant limitations at this level.

1: Learning the Game/Newer Player

The player is new to the game and needs much more practice before meeting the performance of their peers. Significant deficiencies are present, but the player is in the learning phase and developing in all aspects of the game.

Evaluation Schedule

Evaluations will take place on the weekends during the first three weeks of September. Please plan to attend all skates in order for your child to be fairly evaluated. You will only know your player's first skate time in advance and each subsequent time will come after each skate. For example, if your player is placed in group A for the first skate, they won't necessarily be in group A for following skates. After their first skate, you will get an email later in the day letting you know their group and time for the next skate. A preliminary schedule will be provided below for your planning and reference. Please wait to hear from your Category Director (U7, U9, U11, U13 Directors) or from our evaluations company about your player's official ice times.

GROUP DATE LOCATION TIME
U9 Skills 1
Sep 6, 2025
Castledowns B - 11520 153 Ave NW
8:15-9:15 am
U9 Skills 2
Sept 6, 2025
Castledowns B - 11520 153 Ave NW
9:30-10:30 am
U9 Skills 3
Sept 6, 2025
Castledowns B - 11520 153 Ave NW
10:45-11:45 am
U9 Skills 4
Sept 6, 2025
Castledowns B - 11520 153 Ave NW
12:00-1:00 pm
U11 Skills 1
Sept 6, 2025
Castledowns B - 11520 153 Ave NW
1:15-2:15 pm
U11 Skills 2
Sept 6, 2025
Castledowns B - 11520 153 Ave NW
2:30-3:30 pm
U11 Skills 3
Sept 6, 2025
Castledowns B - 11520 153 Ave NW
3:45-4:45 pm
U11 Goalies
Sept 6, 2025
Castledowns B - 11520 153 Ave NW
5:00-6:00 pm
U13 Goalies
Sept 6, 2025
Castledowns B - 11520 153 Ave NW
6:15-7:15 pm
U9 Game 1A
Sept 7, 2025
Castledowns A - 11520 153 Ave NW
7:45-8:45 am
U9 Game 1B
Sept 7, 2025
Castledowns A - 11520 153 Ave NW
9:00-10:00 am
U9 Game 1C
Sept 7, 2025
Castledowns A - 11520 153 Ave NW
10:15-11:15 am
U11 Game 1A
Sept 7, 2025
Castledowns A - 11520 153 Ave NW
11:30 am-12:30 pm
U11 Game 1B
Sept 7, 2025
Castledowns A - 11520 153 Ave NW
12:45-1:45 pm
U11 Game 1C
Sept 7, 2025
Castledowns A - 11520 153 Ave NW
2:00-3:00 pm
U9 Game 2A
Sept 13, 2025
Castledowns B - 11520 153 Ave NW
8:15-9:15 am
U9 Game 2B
Sept 13, 2025
Castledowns B - 11520 153 Ave NW
9:30-10:30 am
U9 Game 2C
Sept 13, 2025
Castledowns B - 11520 153 Ave NW
10:45-11:45 am
U11 Game 2A
Sept 13, 2025
Castledowns B - 11520 153 Ave NW
12:00-1:00 pm
U11 Game 2B
Sept 13, 2025
Castledowns B - 11520 153 Ave NW
1:15-2:15 pm
U11 Game 2C
Sept 13, 2025
Castledowns B - 11520 153 Ave NW
2:30-3:30 pm
U13 Skills 1
Sept 13, 2025
Castledowns B - 11520 153 Ave NW
3:45-4:45 pm
U13 Skills 2
Sept 13, 2025
Castledowns B - 11520 153 Ave NW
5:00-6:00 pm
U13 Skills 3
Sept 13, 2025
Castledowns B - 11520 153 Ave NW
6:15-7:15 pm
U9 Game 3C
Sept 14, 2025
Castledowns B - 11520 153 Ave NW
8:00-9:00 am
U9 Game 3B
Sept 14, 2025
Castledowns B - 11520 153 Ave NW
9:15-10:15am
U9 Game 3A
Sept 14, 2025
Castledowns B - 11520 153 Ave NW
10:30-11:30 am
U11 Game 3C
Sept 14, 2025
Castledowns B - 11520 153 Ave NW
11:45 am-12:45 pm
U11 Game 3B
Sept 14, 2025
Castledowns B - 11520 153 Ave NW
1:00-2:00 pm
U11 Game 3A
Sept 14, 2025
Castledowns B - 11520 153 Ave NW
2:15-3:15 pm
U13 Game 1C
Sept 14, 2025
Castledowns B - 11520 153 Ave NW
3:30-4:30 pm
U13 Game 1B
Sept 14, 2025
Castledowns B - 11520 153 Ave NW
4:45-5:45 pm
U13 Game 1A
Sept 14, 2025
Castledowns B - 11520 153 Ave NW
6:00-7:00 pm
U13 Game 2A
Sept 20, 2025
Castledowns A - 11520 153 Ave NW
7:45-8:45 am
U13 Game 2B
Sept 20, 2025
Castledowns A - 11520 153 Ave NW
9:00-10:00 am
U13 Game 2C
Sept 20, 2025
Castledowns A - 11520 153 Ave NW
10:15-11:15 am
U13 Game 3A
Sept 21, 2025
Castledowns A - 11520 153 Ave NW
7:45-8:45 am
U13 Game 3B
Sept 21, 2025
Castledowns A - 11520 153 Ave NW
9:00-10:00 am
U13 Game 3C
Sept 21, 2025
Castledowns A - 11520 153 Ave NW
10:15-11:15 am