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 | Skills | Offensive/Defensive Tactics | Intangibles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forward | Stick Handling / Dekes | Positional Play | Work Ethic |
| Backward | Forehand / Backhand | Knowledge of Game Rules | Battle / Compete Level |
| Tight Turns | Dekes / Protection | Angling and Gap Control | Communication |
| Balance | Creativity | Hockey Sense / IQ | Back-Checking |
| Starts | Shooting (Different types) | Passing / Playmaking | Effort on and off the Ice |
| Speed | Quick Release (Toe Drag) | Net Drive | Unselfish Play / Sacrifice |
| Quickness | Point Shots (Sliding) | Attack Triangle / Zone Entries | Sharing the Puck |
| Agility | Accuracy of Shot | Delays / Cycling | Involvement in Play |
| Edge Control | Shooting in Stride | Timing | Anticipation |
| Cross Overs | Passing (Choice & Accuracy) | Support Teammates | |
| Foot Speed | Receiving Pass | Pinching | |
| Stops | Saucer Pass / Lateral Pass | 1 vs 1 / 2 vs 1 Situations | |
| Edge Balance | Stick Checking | ||
| Sharing the Puck | |||
| Interest in the Game | |||
Goalie Evaluation Criteria
| Goalie Skating | Positioning | Compete | Rebound Control | Save Ability | Puck Handling |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forward | Angles | Fights for puck | Rebounds to safe areas | Saves | Can make pass to teammate |
| Backward | Reading of play | Recovers well | Focus on puck | Trapping of Puck | Can stop puck behind net |
| Side to Side Agility | Anticipation of Play | Traces puck well | Tracing of puck | Square to Puck | Uses glove hand appropriately on stick |
| Balance | Makes saves look easy | Loose puck compete | Movement while down | Transition from Ice to Stance | |
| Edge Work | Rarely out of position | Battles for position | First save control | Net Play | |
| Controlled Skating | Doesn’t have to scramble | Will to cover the puck | Movement of puck to safe areas | ||
| Agility | |||||
| Strength of Pushes | |||||
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.
