EVALUATIONS & CONVENING
All Meadowvale players (excluding Gold & “A”) undergo an annual
Evaluation Process, the purpose of which is to attempt to place
them on a team along with players with equivalent skill levels.
In Meadowvale, and in the Mississauga Hockey League as a whole,
an effort is made to ensure that players are on teams that are
balanced across the team and across the loop (eg. Minor Atom) as
a whole. (Other leagues attempt to balance their teams against
each other without being able to balance the skill caliber of
the individual players within each team. The size of the MHL
enables us to accomplish both.)
At Meadowvale, the Evaluation Process is managed by the Coaches
applicable to each age group. Prior to the evaluation sessions,
we meet with all of the Coaches and discuss our overall
philosophy on evaluations. We then break them down into age
levels and have them draft a plan suitable to the age level and
to the number of players that they’re going to have to evaluate.
In the MHL we have “Red” skill level teams (highest skill level
players, next to Gold and “A”), “White”, “Blue” and “Green”
(beginners). During the Evaluation Process players are rated on
their ability to perform specific drills, and their scores,
along with other factors, not as easily measured (such as
desire, ambition, attentiveness, etc.), allow the Coaches to
“pick” their teams. Regrettably, because this process normally
takes place over a relatively short time frame it can be
somewhat hectic and mistakes are possible. This leads us into
the Convening Process.
Convening is an annual process whereby the MHL, along with the
assistance of the 8 Area Associations, balances players and
teams into their proper skill level. Convening is a beneficial
next-step to the Evaluations as it provides the Coaches an
opportunity to see their picks in a game setting, not just
performing drills.
This process commences with the start of the hockey season and
continues until the first Sunday in November. Convening is
conducted by Divisional Committees appointed by the MHL Chairman
of Convening. Each Divisional Committee consists of not less
than 1 MHL Director who serves as Chairman of that committee and
at least 1 representative from each Area Association that has a
team or teams entered in that Division.
No, the process isn’t perfect and it continues to evolve as we
learn from each year’s experience. Your patience and
understanding during the process is appreciated. Any questions,
comments or suggestions to improve the above are welcome.
For the 2007-2008 Evaluation
Schedule.......click here |
