FREE PDF · 25 PAGES · 2025-26 EDITION
THE HOCKEY TRYOUT SURVIVAL GUIDE
What every parent needs to know before, during, and after tryouts. Written by a coach with 20 years on the ice — in Chicago, the Philippines, and everywhere in between.
By Coach Arnel Larracas · RinkStop.com
WHAT'S INSIDE
What coaches actually evaluate
It's not just skill. Coaches look at 5 things, in this order: skating, hockey sense, work ethic, coachability, and puck skill. Most parents have the order backwards. Learn what coaches really want and how to help your kid show it in 60 minutes.
The 2-week prep plan
You can't build a player in 14 days, but you can sharpen edges, fix equipment, and prioritize rest. Here's the realistic prep plan that actually moves the needle — without burning your kid out before they step on the ice.
The 3 things that disqualify kids on the spot
Not listening. Skating through drills. Bad attitude with refs or teammates. Every coach has a list. This chapter tells you exactly what gets kids cut, and how to make sure your kid doesn't make the list.
The car ride home — 5 scripts
The biggest mistake parents make is debriefing the entire ride home. Here are 5 lines that work better than any TED talk — whether your kid made the team or not.
If they didn't make it
The chapter I wish every parent would read twice. What to say, what not to say, and why "growth mindset" lectures usually backfire. Includes a real story of a kid who got cut and what happened next.
Junior hockey tryouts
Different game entirely. The kid is half the equation, the family is the other half. Billets, interviews, and the economics of paying to play. Includes the Philippines angle — what it looks like to try out for North American junior hockey from a country with zero rinks.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Coach Arnel Larracas has been coaching hockey for 20+ years — from mites to junior, in Chicago, the Philippines, and everywhere in between. He founded RinkStop.com to grow the game in non-traditional markets and help parents navigate a sport that can be confusing from the outside.
FAQ
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What age is this guide for?
Mites through 18U. Most of the content applies to any tryout age. There's a dedicated section on junior tryouts (16U/18U/NAHL/USHL) at the end.
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