The NVHC Ice Dogs are a non-profit, volunteer organization with a mission of providing a fun, engaging hockey experience that maximizes player development opportunities at a reasonable cost.  

We are committed to providing an opportunity to learn and play the game of ice hockey in an environment of equal participation and competitiveness while promoting good sportsmanship and team play.

What does it mean to be on a NVHC Youth Travel Team?

• 2-3 on-ice practices per week (on average)
• Some teams have off-ice requirements
• Maximum of two local games each weekend; league or non-league
• Overnight travel may be required to play both league and non-league games. When traveling overnight, there is the likelihood of more than two games played. (NOTE: We do not expect to conduct overnight travel for the 20-21 season!)
• Participation in a minimum of 4 tournaments (NOTE: We are currently not planning to attend tournaments for the 20-21 season and will adjust as public health guidelines change). 
• Player attendance at practices and team events directly impacts player's Time on Ice (TOI) in games (Head Coach Decision)

What Age Division should my child try out for?

USA Hockey uses your child’s birth year to determine what Age Division a player should participate in. In the 2020-2021 season, players will be placed in the following Age Divisions:

Team Specifics:

The Season Dues for each NVHC Ice Dogs Youth Travel Team will be determined in the next 2-3 weeks as we communicate with our home rinks and determine ice cost and availability under current public health guidelines. Unlike the 2019-2020 season, the Club will not collect a "Player Development/Tournament Fee" and will instead lead tournament fee collection at the team level (if tournaments can be played in the 20-21 season).

The Club will not provide Wolfe instruction for the 20-21 season.

All rostered skaters and goalies are expected to participate in any tournaments their teams schedule. Any tournament-related costs (Fees, Hotel, Travel) are the responsibility of the individual player/family. NOTE: for the 20-21 season, teams will only participate in local tournaments unless there is a substantial change in public health guidelines. Families who are uncomfortable with extended travel or tournaments including non-DMV teams will not be required to pay for or participate in tournaments.

All rostered players and goalies will be required to have specific home and away game jerseys, pant shell and set of home and away "performance" game socks. The cost of these specific items is approximately $350.

Team Composition:

The NVHC Ice Dogs work to maximize the potential of all players so we place the right number of players on a team. We have set a minimum and maximum roster size for each team in every Age Division.  

2020-2021 Average number of Skaters + Goalies (G) per Team:

Tryout Sessions:

Tryouts will be held mid-late July of 2020. Specific tryout location has yet to be determined by the Club.

Registration for tryouts will open during the week of June 29th, 2020. All players will need their 2020-2021 USA Hockey Number in order to register for NVHC Youth Travel Tryouts and a specific NVHC Youth Travel Team. 

*** No Walk-on's allowed *** You must be pre-registered ***

Teams will be fielded at 10U, 12U, 14U, and 16U-18U.  The number of teams and level of play is subject to the number and quality of the selected players.

Tryout Composition:

Tryouts at each Age Division will consist of 2 or 3 tryout sessions/dates. Skaters and Goalies are required to attend all sessions to ensure each candidate has exposure to the evaluation team. Goalies will receive specific instructions on tryouts based on their age group and whether they wish to also be evaluated as players. All goalies will be evaluated as players as well at the 8U and 10U age levels.  

A specific team's level of play will be determined after the completion of tryouts (AA, UA, LA, B designations will be submitted to the Travel Director for submission to the CBHL by the NVHC Board). 

Lead Coaches will conduct the evaluations with the administrative assistance of the Evaluators and Assistant Coaches. Head Coaches will finalize their rosters with the Travel Director/Hockey Committee.  Each player’s family will be notified by both email and phone of their selection and validation of their acceptance. If the player does not accept the offer to play on the specified NVHC Youth Travel Team, the Club has the option to roster another player in their place to fill the vacant slot.There may also be a Supplemental tryouts in late August/early September.    

While the NVHC normally supports travel teams playing in a myriad of tournaments, we will adjust tournament registration for the 20-21 season to accommodate for both public health guidelines as well as individual family health concerns. There is no set minimum of tournaments for the 20-21 season and any tournaments that do get scheduled will initially be in the local area only. 

Goalie Specifics:

Goalies are required to attend all tryout sessions for their respective age group but will be informed if there are specific changes to this mandate.

Age Division Lead Coaches have been named and these individuals will conduct tryouts at each Age Division. They will coordinate with the other coaches at that Age Division to ensure optimal improvement, consistent messaging and coordinated focus. All CBHL coaching volunteers have submitted applications that have been reviewed and approved by the NVHC Board’s Hockey Committee. Specific team assignments for coaches will be based upon the placement of their players following tryouts.

Age Division Leads:

10U Lead: Keith McCabe

12U Leads: Rob Mattson

14U Lead: Scott Hyon

16/18U Lead: Jeff Coulter

If you have any questions concerning our NVHC Youth Travel Tryouts, please contact the NVHC CBHL (Travel) Director, Tim Froemke via email at tm.frmk@hey.com.