WELCOME TO THE 2025/2026 U14 AAA TRYOUTS
Peterborough Jr Petes U14 AAA
Dear Prospective Players,
On behalf of the Peterborough Jr Petes Minor Hockey Association and the U14 AAA Coaching Staff, we welcome you to the 2025/2026 AAA tryout. We are extremely excited about this opportunity to be a part of such a historic organization and to represent the city of Peterborough and all associated individuals. Our season begins this week, and we are looking for a group of kids who are coachable, competitive as well as supportive teammates. Our coaching staff has put in considerable time to identify our values, principles of play and structure that will guide our program. We have many decisions to make and although you may not agree with all of them, we expect you to respect them.
Allow me to introduce the coaching staff.
Head Coach - Chad Birkhof (Former Pro, Junior, AAA, AA Coach and Junior A/B/C, Senior AAA, Pro Player)
Asst Coach – Doug Hinan (Long-time Coach and PEP skill development instructor)
Asst Coach – Mitch Madgett (Former Minor Pete, Junior A, C player, and minor Rep Coach)
Asst Coach – Denis Lemoire (Former Junior player and long-time skill development Coach)
Asst Coach - Joel Robbins (former Minor Pete player and Minor Petes Coach)
Trainer – Frank Gurney (Minor Rep, years of experience)
Manager – Jo Dunbar (Long-time Manager of Rep hockey and lacrosse)
Tryouts will consist of the following sessions. Please arrive at least 45 minutes before each skate to allow sufficient time for sign-in, dressing and 5 minutes for the Coaches to address the athletes:
April 21, 2025 5:15 pm-6:45 pm @ Miskin Law Community Center
April 22, 2025 5:00 pm-6:30 pm @ Memorial Center (Maroon and White game)
April 23, 2025 6:15-8:15 Miskin Law Community Center (Game vs Quinte)
April 24, 2025 6:45 pm-8:45 pm Delpark Arena Oshawa (Game Vs NSW)
April 25, 2025 5:15 pm-6:45 pm Memorial Center (Game vs Whitby)
April 26, 2025 1:15 pm-2:15 pm Miskin Law Community Center
Link to a full schedule: https://peterboroughminorpetes.ca/Teams/1689/Calendar/
During each tryout, players will be assessed by independent off-ice evaluators, each of whom has no direct connection to any of the players in this age group. Aspects such as skating, puck handling/passing/shooting, knowledge of the game, impact on the play, and "coachability" will be assessed.These assessments will be used as the basis for the determination of which players will be offered a position on the team.
The 2025-26 U14 AAA Jr Petes program will offer a world-class junior-like program to include team-building functions, individual personalized off-ice training program, team off-ice sessions, Team and individual video review, appropriate level of personal skill development, and team tactics/structure.
Team discipline will be a key focus, ensuring all young athletes are engaged and are a key part of the program while professionally conducting themselves both on and off the ice. Each player will have the opportunity to play in all situations throughout the year, as it will take all players to be successful.
The 2025/26 Jr Petes program involves:A league registration fee to be paid in full (ranges from $3150), and Monthly team payments (ranging from $200 to $300) throughout the season. Link to Registration details:
https://peterboroughminorpetes.ca/Pages/1010/General_Information/
Participation in regular practices, developmental sessions (including on- and off-ice), league and exhibition games, and tournaments = typically, 4 on- and off-ice sessions per week.
The U14 team will be participating in 3 or 4 tournaments, one of which will be in the USA, with further details to follow when finalized.
Team/Parent Meeting
We will have our team parent/player meeting in May to prepare for the following season.
● Staff introduction, staff expectations
● Season plan
● Expectations for parents and players
● Budget approval, fundraising opportunities
Thank you for your interest in the Peterborough Jr Petes Hockey Association.
Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact a member of the Executive (listed on our website), https://peterboroughminorpetes.ca/
Regards, Chad Birkhof
Head Coach
U14 Jr Petes AAA