01 / REGISTRATION
Register & Pay Deposit
Complete player registration and submit the required deposit before evaluations, in accordance with the published registration terms.
Peabody Youth Hockey
Tryouts & Evaluations
2027–2028 Hockey Season
A fair, consistent, and development-focused approach to player evaluations. Learn about our evaluation process, anticipated schedule, and what families can expect as we prepare for the upcoming hockey season.
2027–2028 Evaluation Dates: To Be Announced
Typical Start
Early AprilGenerally beginning the first week of April.
Evaluation Format
Two SkatesAt least one required; both strongly encouraged.
Typical Schedule
Two WeeksGenerally Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Upcoming Evaluations
2027–2028 Evaluation Schedule
Official dates, times, and locations will be announced when ice assignments and evaluation schedules are finalized.
Evaluation Schedule Coming Soon
Peabody Youth Hockey typically conducts player evaluations over approximately two weeks beginning in early April, generally on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Two evaluation skates are normally offered for each participating division. Players must attend at least one, although attendance at both is strongly encouraged.
Mites · 8U
Squirts · 10U
Peewees · 12U
Bantams · 14U
Midgets · 16U–18U
Important: Final participating divisions, birth-year eligibility, exact dates, times, and ice assignments will be confirmed before the 2027–2028 evaluation period.
$150
Non-Refundable Deposit
Registration Requirement
Registration & Deposit
Under PYH's current evaluation registration policy, players must complete registration and submit a $150 non-refundable deposit before participating in on-ice evaluations.
The deposit is applied toward the player's season tuition. It helps offset upfront organizational expenses, including ice-time commitments and practice and game jersey costs.
Final registration instructions and applicable terms for the 2027–2028 season will be confirmed when registration opens.
The Evaluation Process
How Evaluations Work
PYH uses independent assessments and consistent evaluation criteria to help inform player placement and team formation.
02 / PLAYER IDENTIFICATION
Randomly Assigned Numbers
Players are identified on evaluation scoring forms by randomly assigned numbers rather than names, helping reduce potential bias.
03 / ON-ICE ASSESSMENT
Independent Evaluations
Outside evaluators assess players using PYH's five core evaluation categories. Their assessments help inform team placement decisions.
Player Assessment
What Do Our Evaluators Look For?
Peabody Youth Hockey evaluates players using five core categories across age divisions, with age-appropriate expectations.
01
Skating
Overall skating ability and control.
02
Agility
Balance, coordination, and movement on the ice.
03
Stickhandling
Puck control and handling skills.
04
Shooting
Shooting ability and accuracy.
05
Hockey IQ
Game awareness, positioning, and decision-making.
Consistent Criteria, Age-Appropriate Expectations. The same five categories are used across PYH age divisions, but expectations vary based on a player's age, experience, and level of play.
Fairness & Transparency
Independent Evaluations
Peabody Youth Hockey uses outside independent evaluators to support fairness, consistency, and appropriate team placement.
During the previous evaluation cycle, members of the Peabody High School coaching staff conducted player evaluations.
Players are identified on scoring forms by randomly assigned numbers rather than their names. This helps reduce potential bias and allows evaluators to focus on each player's observed on-ice performance.
Position-Specific Evaluations
Goaltender Evaluations
PYH's evaluation approach supports age-appropriate development, with different opportunities for Mite players and older age divisions.
Mites · 8U
Evaluated as Skaters
All Mite players are evaluated as skaters. Players cannot try out exclusively as goaltenders at the 8U level.
This does not prevent players from exploring goaltending during the season. PYH encourages the development of a strong foundation in skating and general hockey skills.
Opportunities to experience goaltending may be provided as part of continued player development.
Squirts & Above · 10U+
Goaltender Evaluations Available
Beginning at the Squirt level, players may choose to be evaluated as goaltenders.
Position-specific schedules, equipment requirements, and additional instructions will be communicated before evaluations.
Any opportunity to be evaluated as both a skater and a goaltender will be clarified in the registration instructions.
Why Does PYH Follow This Approach? USA Hockey's American Development Model encourages younger players to develop broad skating and hockey skills while experiencing different positions, including goaltending. PYH's 8U evaluation policy focuses on evaluating every Mite as a skater without preventing players from trying goalie during the season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Tryouts & Evaluations FAQ
Answers to common questions about scheduling, attendance, registration, evaluation procedures, goaltending, and player placement.
When are tryouts and evaluations held?
Evaluations typically begin during the first week of April and take place over approximately two weeks, generally on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Exact dates for the 2027–2028 season have not yet been announced.
How many evaluation skates must my child attend?
Each player must attend at least one evaluation skate.
PYH strongly encourages attendance at both scheduled skates to give evaluators additional opportunities to observe each player.
What if my child can attend only one evaluation skate?
A player who attends one evaluation skate meets PYH's minimum attendance requirement.
Attending both sessions is preferred and strongly encouraged.
What if my child cannot attend either skate?
Please contact PYH as soon as possible to discuss the conflict.
At least one evaluation skate is required. Any alternative arrangement would need organizational review and is not guaranteed.
Who evaluates the players?
PYH uses outside independent evaluators to support fairness and consistency.
During the previous cycle, members of the Peabody High School coaching staff conducted player evaluations.
How does PYH promote fairness during evaluations?
PYH uses independent evaluators and consistent evaluation criteria.
Players are identified on scoring forms by randomly assigned numbers rather than their names. This helps reduce potential bias and focuses the evaluation on observed performance.
What skills are evaluated?
Players are evaluated across five core categories: skating, agility, stickhandling, shooting, and hockey IQ.
Expectations are adjusted to each player's age, experience, and level of play.
Can Mite (8U) players try out as goaltenders?
No. All Mite players are evaluated as skaters.
Players cannot be evaluated exclusively as goaltenders at the 8U level. They may still have opportunities to try goalie during the hockey season.
Can Squirt (10U) and older players be evaluated as goaltenders?
Yes. Beginning at the Squirt (10U) level, players may elect to be evaluated as goaltenders.
Position-specific schedules, equipment requirements, and instructions will be communicated before evaluations.
Can my child be evaluated as both a skater and goaltender?
At the Squirt (10U) level and above, any opportunities for evaluations in both roles will be clarified in registration instructions.
All Mite (8U) players are evaluated as skaters.
Is there a registration deposit?
Under PYH's current policy, a $150 non-refundable deposit is required before participation in on-ice evaluations.
The deposit is applied toward the player's season tuition rather than being an additional tuition charge. Final 2027–2028 registration terms will be confirmed when registration opens.
Why is the deposit non-refundable?
PYH makes financial commitments before the start of each season, including ice-time deposits and practice and game jersey costs.
The deposit helps offset these upfront expenses and is credited toward tuition.
What equipment should my child bring?
Players should arrive prepared to participate in full, properly fitted hockey equipment, including a helmet, skates, gloves, stick, and appropriate protective gear.
Any additional check-in, jersey, or equipment requirements will be communicated before evaluations.
How are teams formed?
Independent evaluator assessments help inform team formation and player placement decisions.
PYH aims to provide appropriate developmental and competitive opportunities based on players' current abilities.
When will team placements be announced?
The timeline and method for announcing team placements will be communicated once the evaluation and team formation processes have been finalized.
Which age divisions will have evaluations?
PYH offers programs for Mites (8U), Squirts (10U), Peewees (12U), Bantams (14U), and Midgets (16U–18U).
Participating divisions and evaluation schedules for the 2027–2028 season will be confirmed before registration opens.
How do I register for evaluations?
Registration instructions for the 2027–2028 season will be published by PYH when available.
Registration and payment of the required deposit must be completed before participating in evaluations.
Looking Ahead
Preparing for the 2027–2028 Hockey Season
Peabody Youth Hockey is committed to a fair evaluation process and positive player development. Official dates, registration instructions, and additional evaluation details will be announced once finalized.