RICHMOND RATTLERS: Welcome

12u UPDATE:
There WILL be a 3rd tryout for 12u on Wednesday, February 10th, from 6:00-7:00pm.  If you are interested in being considered for the 3rd team, you MUST either attend or email info@richmondrattlers.com.

Not sure yet?  Take a peak at our '98s team run for Gold at JO in Philly in 2010!

The handout below is the 2010 Rattlers Operations Manual.  This document covers many of the aspects of how the Rattlers do things and what we expect from our players.  It describes our team format, how teams are selected, and the other rules we have as an organization.

Each year, the coaches and Rattler board meet in December to review the contents.  We take feedback received from members, lessons learned from the previous season, and our own experiences to decide what needs to change.

This year, the bulk of the document remains the same as 2009.  We did adjust a few rules to correct a few issues we experienced the previous season.

The main difference this year is that we are actually putting this document on the website for everyone to review.  If you want to understand more about how we do things, read it.  You should also read it to make sure you understand what are expectations are for our players.

As a member of our organization, please feel free to discuss this with your coach.  The rules won't change for 2010 but we will review feedback received as we plan 2011.

12u Black
Coaches:  Brian Cecil, Richard Pierce

Ben Koszelak
Cameron Adams
Cody Pierpont
Cole Hodges
Dylan Cecil
Miranda Rigg
Nick Reisenweaver
Travis Broughman
Zach Pierce

12u Orange
Coaches:  Darryl Talman, Tony Jennings

Ben Talman
Damien Walz
Hunter Jennings
Jordan Mansini
Kevin Anderson
Matthew Jahn
Nick Koszelak
Zachary Pfaffenberger

All of the information you need to register for the Rattler tryouts is below.  The tryout fee is $40.  If a player attends both tryouts and the optional practice, they will receive 4 HOURS of floor time.  Another program in Virginia is having tryouts soon.  They are charging $35 and each player gets 50 minutes of total floor time.  A program down south in NC was similar.  The Rattlers plan their tryouts in a way that provides the players plenty of time to show their stuff and in a way that is affordable and fair.  But, don't wait!  The fee does go up after 01/27/10 and will cost even more at the door!  Why does the increase?  We have bills to pay so we need as many to pay on time as possible.  The rink wants their money!

Each age division has 2 tryouts scheduled.  All players are encouraged to attend both but it is only required that you attend one.  If a player can't attend either tryout, send an email to info@richmondrattlers.com BEFORE the tryouts start.  That player will be asked to attend a different tryout for a different age division.

The first 2 slots are for pre-tryout practices.  Everyone registered can attend.  Those not registered can not attend.  This is only for those trying out for a Rattler team.

The form below should be used to register for the Richmond Rattler tryouts.  No player will be allowed to tryout for a Rattler team unless they are registered and the tryout fee has been paid.

To pay for the tryouts, you can pay using the online option (below) or you can mail a check.

The Rattlers will be posting a document within the next week that explains how the organization is run, teams are picked, and the rules the organization has.

For returning players, use the question with "***" to indicate your child's team preference.  Players that want to try and stick with their team from the previous season should pick the team preference that is for that team.  For more information on our Black, Orange, and Grey teams, please page down below the registration and payment section.  It is important to read that section before answering this question.

If a returning player wants to play up an age division (for example, a player eligible for 10u wants to play 12u), an email must be sent to info@richmondrattlers.com stating the situation.  The Rattler board and coaches will discuss the request and will make a decision based on what is best for that player, family, team, and the organization.  Not all of these types of requests will be approved but we recognize situations where this does make sense.

More detail to come.  We are just getting organized!!  Check back regularly for updates.

The Rattlers goal is to field 2 to 3 teams per age division.  The number of teams will vary from year to year depending on the interest level for each division. 

In the early days of the organization, the Rattlers picked the teams based solely on skill level.  The top team in each age division was the “A” team and the second team was the “B” team.  After a number of years, the organization made an attempt to move towards birth year teams.  That was never fully achieved. 

The current structure of the teams is a blend of the birth year concept and the true “A” and “B” concept while also taking into account the preferences of each player/family.  This blend is believed to serve in the best interest of the organization and the majority of its members.

What do we mean by “preferences of each player/family”?

There are some players that want to try out for the top team in an age division each year even if it means that they are younger than most on the team.  This is more important to that player than trying to stick with a core group of players from season to season.  These players will be given that option and should register stating “Black” team for their preference.  This is more of the "A" / "B" team concept.

There are players that would rather try and stick with the same core team or coach each season.  These players, even if good enough to make the top or Black team, will be given that option.  For these players, they should select “Black” team if they are the older birth year in the age division or “Orange” team if they are the younger team.  In other words, they are selecting the team that will have the coach that they want to remain with.  This is more of the birth year concept.

New players should use the team preference question to state their preference as well (if they have a preference).

For players that are the top birth year of their age division, they can also state a preference to play on the lower or younger team.  Reasons for wanting this could be financial (lower teams typically cost less), coaching preference, desire to have siblings play together, or that players friends are on that team.

Regardless of a player’s preference, they must try out and make the team.  Having a team preference by no means guarantees that a player will be on that team.  If a player can not make the team that they list as their preference but can make a different team, that player will be given the option to play for the other team.

This sounds complicated and in a way it is.  The goal is to provide an environment that allows for the organization to build top level teams but also recognize the desire that many have allow for players to remain together in order to help improve as a team from year to year.  Many believe that doing this will only make those teams that much better over time versus completely splitting up teams that have players that want to continue to play together.

The rest of this section highlights the different levels of teams that the Rattlers can field in each age division.  There are three levels of teams that are part of the open tryouts.  The interest level in each age division will determine whether we have 1, 2, or 3 teams. 

Rattlers Black

The Black team is the top team for each age division and is primarily made up of players that are the top birth year for that age division.  The Black team has the following characteristics.

-          Per player budget typically runs $600 - $800 not counting travel, uniforms, and gear

-          Will typically have to play in more out of state tournaments to find good competition

-          Will often have to play up an age division in order to find good competition

-          Will typically play in 1 or 2 national tournaments

-          Will play at the AAA or AA level in national events (Elite or Competitive)

-          First 5 skater roster slots must be filled by players from the older birth year of that division

-          Final roster spots can be filled either by players from that same birth year or by considering younger birth year players that have a preference to play on the top team.  A younger player can only be taken if they are the next best available player.

-          The Black team coach does retain the option to carry a birth year team if they feel that the talent level for that birth year does not warrant cutting a player from that birth year to open a spot for a younger player.

Rattlers Orange

The Orange team is the second team for each age division.  The Orange team has the following characteristics.

-          Per player budget typically runs $500 - $700 not counting travel, uniforms, and gear

-          Will typically play in 1 national tournament and sometimes 2

-          Will typically be able to play more local (Virginia) tournaments with less total travel.  Some out of state travel will still be required.

-          Will play at the AA or A level in national events (Competitive and sometimes Recreational)

-          First 5 skater roster slots must be filled by players from the younger birth year of that division

-     Final roster spots can be filled either by players from that same birth year or by considering older birth year players that have a preference to play on the 2nd team.  An older player can only be taken if they are the next best available player.

-          The Orange team coach does retain the option to carry a birth year team if they feel that the talent level for that birth year does not warrant cutting a player from that birth year to open a spot for an older player.

Rattlers Grey

The Grey team is the third team for each age division.  The Grey team has the following characteristics.

-          Per player budget typically runs $300 - $500 not counting travel, uniforms, and gear

-          Is structured for players that are new to travel hockey or want a lower level of commitment

-          Has the option to play in a national tournament located in the region

-          Will play more local (Virginia) tournaments with less total travel

-          Will play at the A (and sometimes AA) level in national events (Recreational with the option to play Competitive)

-          All roster slots are filled solely based on skill level without consideration of birth year

-          Can only be formed when there are enough players trying out in an age division and a volunteer to coach

-          May be limited to practice slots on weekends depending on the number of mid-week slots available

Other Notes / Special Considerations:

-          Each team will be comprised of a minimum of 7 skaters and 1 goalie

-          Coaches will have the option to take up to 10 skaters and 2 goalies

-          Coaches that want to carry more than 10 skaters must submit a request to the board and receive approval

-          Each team will have a minimum of 2 coaches and no more than 3

-          Each team will have at least 1 team manager and a treasurer

-          Prior to the tryouts, each player will declare which of the teams for which they are trying out (if they have a preference)

-          A player can not change his declaration after the rosters are posted

-          A player that is capable of making the top team (Black) has the option to only try out for the other teams (Orange and/or Grey) – at no time will a player be forced to play up on the Black team

-          Players can try out for a team in the next age division up instead of in their own age division.  To do so, an email to info@richmondrattlers.com stating the player’s intent to do this along with an explanation why is required.  The board and impacted coaches must approve the request.

-          Teams will not be posted until the coaches, Rattler board, and evaluators are all in agreement with the team selection.

-          If a player is injured or not 100% at the tryouts, that player will still be considered for a team.  An email to the board stating the player’s condition and recovery period is needed.

-          If the coaches in an age division feel that the teams should not follow the guidelines above, a recommendation must be submitted, approved, and posted on the website prior to the start of the tryouts so that families know before the tryouts occur and teams are picked.

-          If a player is NOT injured, they should try to attend all tryouts and MUST attend at least 1 of them to be considered for a team.

Hockey Equipment at EPuck.com
Need new equipment for the 2010 season? Looking to purchase online? If you use this link to access EPuck when you make a purchase, the Rattlers organization will receive benefits from EPuck and you will pay the same low price!