Spring Hockey Tryouts — How They Work and How to Prepare
Every spring, thousands of BC hockey parents pay $100 or more to watch their child skate in a tryout — not knowing that most spots on that team were decided before the first whistle blew. Here is how spring hockey tryouts in BC actually work, what coaches are really looking for, and how to give your child a genuine shot at making a team.
How do spring hockey tryouts work?
Most spring hockey tryouts in BC run as one or two on-ice sessions, typically 75 to 90 minutes each. Players are grouped by birth year and run through skating drills, puck handling, small-area games, and competitive situations. What the team website will not mention is that in the Lower Mainland especially, the majority of the roster is already decided before the first public skate. Coaches pull their core group from their winter program. The tryout exists to fill the remaining spots — often just two to four openings across a 15-player roster.
When are spring hockey tryouts held in BC?
Most BC spring hockey tryouts run from late February through March, with rosters finalized before April ice begins. Some larger Lower Mainland organizations post tryout dates as early as January, which catches first-year parents off guard. In the Okanagan and Interior, timing can shift depending on ice availability.
What do coaches look for at spring hockey tryouts?
Skating is the first thing any good coach notices — edge control, acceleration, backward skating. It is evaluated in the first five minutes and it is hard to hide. After skating, coaches watch compete level: does this player battle for pucks, work in corners, push through when it is uncomfortable? Hockey sense matters too. Skills like shooting and passing can be developed. Skating and compete are harder to fake in a 90-minute tryout.
Can players try out for multiple spring hockey teams?
Yes, and most experienced BC hockey parents do exactly this. Trying out for two to three teams gives your child real options and an honest read on what level they are at. Be aware that once offers go out, some organizations push for a quick commitment — sometimes within 24 to 48 hours. Have a conversation with your child beforehand about priorities if multiple offers come in at once.
How many spots are genuinely open at a spring tryout?
This is the question most parents do not ask and should. In the Lower Mainland, a team running a public tryout with 40 players on the ice may have two or three spots that are truly available. The rest of the roster is already committed. Ask the organization directly before you pay the fee: how many spots are genuinely open for this birth year?
What happens if my child does not make a spring hockey team?
It is more common than most parents expect, especially in the Lower Mainland where the player pool is deep. Getting cut from a spring team is not a verdict on your child's hockey future. The best alternatives are individual skating clinics, skills-based spring programs, or a development-focused league with more open registration. A focused summer of skating work will often pay off more than a spring season on a team where ice time is limited.
Go in with realistic expectations, ask the right questions before you pay, try out for more than one team, and let your child compete without coaching from the glass. The BC spring hockey world is smaller than it looks — coaches talk, and a strong tryout is noticed even when a spot is not available right now.