Mad Dogs Hockey: Welcome

Mad Dogs Hockey offers teams for children and teens usually in single age groups, concentrating on competitive tournaments and team-building activities. Many of our players are ice hockey players during the fall and winter or are inline players year-round.  Many players try to stay together from year to year. Unlike recreational teams, players must tryout and be invited to participate. This is a much more advanced level of play and players are not guaranteed equal playing time. In the competitive tournament environment, players must learn how to adjust to a faster, more physical, more savvy 4 v 4 game. In addition, in the competitive environment players have to understand that teamwork and cooperation on the rink is more important than individual talent alone. Many players have to adjust to being a very good player amongst many equally talented individuals. 

Why should a player tryout for Mad Dogs? 

If you currently excel and are a standout in a recreational inline league, play travel inline, play travel ice or standout in house ice programs, you should consider playing up to a higher level. You'll never know how good you are or can be unless you give it a try! When you play at a more challenging level with a team focused on player development, your skills dramatically improve. For current "A", "AA" and "AAA" ice hockey players coming off a competitive season, it is typically a more relaxed atmosphere where you can really have fun and showcase your talents. 

Teams are based on the ages of the players:

8 yrs old and under
10 yrs old and under
12 years old and under
14 years old and under
15 years old and older

Adult


What is the time commitment?

Mad Dogs coaches understand that most players participate in other sports during the spring.  This is why practices are usually every other week.  Some coaches of older players may not even need practices.  Practices are recommended, but not mandatory to play.  Most coaches do advise that the more time the players practice together, the better they learn each others’ strengths and strategies of play.

Coaches and Managers also work with each team to decide the best tournaments to play with the most participation.  If a player is not available, alternates will be called to replace during tournament time.  If you are only available as an alternate, you still need to show up to tryouts.  Please be sure to notify the coach prior to tryouts if you are ONLY an alternate.  Most teams request that tournaments be held only on one day of a weekend.  This way our players can still commit to other sports or activities during the weekends.

Still have questions?

Please don’t hesitate to call if you have questions about tryouts or any of our Mad Dogs teams.  Sharon Heiden, Chairman of Mad Dogs Hockey can be reached at sharon@heiden.bz.