01 / REGISTRATION
Register & Pay Deposit
Players register and submit the $150 non-refundable deposit before participating in evaluations. The deposit is credited toward season tuition.
Peabody Youth Hockey
Tryouts & Evaluations
2027–2028 Hockey Season
A fair, consistent, and development-focused approach to player evaluations. Learn about our independent evaluation process, upcoming schedule, and what families can expect.
2027–2028 Evaluation Dates:
To Be Announced
Typical Start
Early April
Generally beginning the first week of April
Evaluation Format
Two Skates
At least one required. Both strongly encouraged.
Typical Schedule
Two Weeks
Generally Tuesdays and Thursdays
Upcoming Evaluations
2027–2028 Evaluation Schedule
Dates, times, and locations for the upcoming season will be announced once ice assignments and evaluation schedules are finalized.
Schedule Announcement Pending
Tryouts and evaluations typically begin during the first week of April and span approximately two weeks. Two evaluation skates are offered. Players must attend at least one skate, although attending both is strongly encouraged.
| Division | Skate 1 | Skate 2 | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mites (8U) | Date / Time TBD | Date / Time TBD | TBD |
| Squirts (10U) | Date / Time TBD | Date / Time TBD | TBD |
| Peewees (12U) | Date / Time TBD | Date / Time TBD | TBD |
| Bantams (14U) | Date / Time TBD | Date / Time TBD | TBD |
| Midgets (16U–18U) | Date / Time TBD | Date / Time TBD | TBD |
Please Note: This chart lists PYH's age divisions for planning purposes. Final participating divisions, birth-year eligibility, evaluation dates, and ice assignments will be confirmed for the 2027–2028 season.
$150
Non-Refundable Deposit
Registration Requirement
Registration & Deposit
All players must complete registration and pay the $150 non-refundable deposit before taking the ice for evaluations.
This deposit is applied toward the player's season tuition. It helps Peabody Youth Hockey offset upfront organizational costs, including ice-time deposits and practice and game jersey expenses.
The Evaluation Process
How Evaluations Work
PYH's evaluation process uses independent assessments to support fairness, consistency, and appropriate team placement.
02 / PLAYER IDENTIFICATION
Randomly Assigned Numbers
Players are identified on evaluation forms by randomly assigned numbers rather than names. This helps outside evaluators focus on observed performance.
03 / INDEPENDENT ASSESSMENT
On-Ice Evaluations
Outside evaluators assess players using PYH's five core skill categories. At least one evaluation skate is required. Participation in both is strongly encouraged.
04 / TEAM FORMATION
Supporting Player Placement
Evaluation results help inform team formation and placement decisions. The goal is to support appropriate developmental and competitive opportunities for every player.
Player Assessment
What Do Our Evaluators Look For?
Peabody Youth Hockey uses five core evaluation categories across its age divisions. These categories provide a consistent framework for assessing player abilities.
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. These five categories are used across PYH age divisions. While the evaluation framework remains consistent, expectations may vary based on age, experience, and level of play.
Fairness & Transparency
Independent Evaluations
Peabody Youth Hockey uses outside independent evaluators to support fairness and consistency throughout the evaluation process.
During the previous evaluation cycle, members of the Peabody High School coaching staff conducted our player evaluations.
Players are identified on evaluator scoring forms by randomly assigned numbers, not by their names. This helps reduce potential bias and keeps the focus on each player's on-ice performance.
Position-Specific Evaluations
Goaltender Evaluations
PYH's approach to goaltender evaluations reflects age-appropriate development, with different opportunities available at the Mite and older age divisions.
Mites | 8U
Evaluated as Skaters
All Mite (8U) players are evaluated as skaters. Players cannot try out exclusively as goaltenders at this age level.
This approach is consistent with USA Hockey's American Development Model (ADM), which emphasizes fundamental skating and hockey skills before early specialization in a single position.
This does not prevent Mite players from exploring goaltending during the season. Opportunities to experience the position may be provided as part of their continued hockey development.
Squirts & Above | 10U+
Goaltender Evaluations Available
Beginning at the Squirt (10U) level, players may choose to be evaluated as goaltenders.
Players interested in goaltending should review the registration instructions for their division.
Any position-specific evaluation times, equipment requirements, and additional instructions will be communicated before the evaluation sessions begin.
Why Does PYH Follow This Approach?
USA Hockey's American Development Model encourages younger players to develop a broad foundation of skating and hockey skills before committing to a specialized position. At the 8U level, the ADM recommends against full-time goaltender specialization and encourages opportunities to experience different roles on the ice.
Learn More About 8U Goaltending from USA Hockey ↗Frequently Asked Questions
Tryouts & Evaluations FAQ
Answers to common questions about registration, evaluation procedures, goaltending, and what families can expect.
When are tryouts and evaluations held?
Evaluations typically begin during the first week of April and take place over approximately two weeks.
Sessions are generally scheduled on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Dates for the 2027–2028 season are still to be determined.
How many evaluation skates must my child attend?
Each player must attend at least one (1) evaluation skate.
PYH strongly encourages participation in both scheduled skates. Attending both gives independent evaluators additional opportunities to observe each player's skills and abilities.
What if my child cannot attend both evaluations?
A player who attends one evaluation skate meets PYH's minimum attendance requirement.
However, attendance at 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 possible alternative arrangement would need to be reviewed by the organization and is not guaranteed.
Who evaluates the players?
PYH uses outside independent evaluators to provide assessments of player abilities and support a fair, consistent process.
During the previous evaluation cycle, members of the Peabody High School coaching staff conducted our evaluations.
How does PYH promote fairness during evaluations?
Evaluations are conducted by outside independent evaluators.
Players are also identified on scoring forms by randomly assigned numbers rather than names. This helps reduce potential bias and emphasizes observed on-ice performance.
What skills are evaluated?
Players are evaluated across five core categories: skating, agility, stickhandling, shooting, and hockey IQ.
These categories apply across PYH age divisions, with expectations appropriate to each player's age and level of play.
Can Mite (8U) players try out as goaltenders?
No. All Mite (8U) players are evaluated as skaters.
This PYH policy is consistent with USA Hockey's American Development Model (ADM) recommendations, which emphasize fundamental skating and hockey skill development before specializing in a specific position.
Although Mite players cannot try out exclusively as goaltenders, they may have opportunities to experience the position during the season.
Can Mite players play goalie during the hockey season?
Mite players are evaluated as skaters, but that does not mean they are discouraged from exploring goaltending.
USA Hockey's ADM encourages young players to experience different positions while developing their overall hockey skills. Opportunities to try goaltending may be offered during the season as part of player development.
Can Squirt (10U) and older players be evaluated as goalies?
Yes. Beginning at the Squirt (10U) level, players may choose to be evaluated as goaltenders.
Additional details regarding scheduling and equipment requirements will be provided before evaluations.
Can my child be evaluated as both a skater and a goaltender?
For players at the Squirt (10U) level and above, position selection and any opportunities for evaluations in both roles will be clarified with the upcoming registration instructions.
Mite (8U) players are evaluated as skaters.
Is there a registration deposit?
Yes. A $150 non-refundable deposit must be paid before a player takes the ice for evaluations.
The deposit is credited toward the player's season tuition.
Why is the deposit non-refundable?
PYH makes financial commitments well before the start of each hockey season.
The deposit helps offset upfront expenses, including deposits for ice time and costs associated with practice and game jerseys.
The $150 is applied toward season tuition; it is not an additional tuition charge.
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 specific check-in, jersey, or equipment requirements will be communicated before evaluations.
How are teams formed?
Independent evaluator assessments provide information to support team formation and player placement decisions.
PYH's goal is to provide appropriate developmental and competitive opportunities based on players' current abilities.
Additional details about final placement procedures will be communicated as needed.
When will team placements be announced?
The timing and method for communicating team placements will be announced once the upcoming evaluation schedule and team formation process 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).
The participating evaluation divisions and schedules for the 2027–2028 season will be confirmed before registration opens.
How do I register for evaluations?
Registration instructions and evaluation dates for the 2027–2028 season will be announced on the Peabody Youth Hockey website.
Registration and payment of the $150 non-refundable deposit must be completed before participating on the ice.
Looking Ahead
Preparing for the 2027–2028 Hockey Season
Peabody Youth Hockey is committed to providing a fair evaluation process and a positive development experience for our players. Specific evaluation dates and registration information will be published once finalized.