U15 AA/AAA Tryouts

From May 1st through May 3rd of 2026, the Canadian Athletic Club will begin the comprehensive evaluation process for the 2026-2027 hockey season. This process is being led by the CAC Hockey Committee and the U15 coaches to ensure that a fair and detailed evaluation takes place.

Our evaluation process accurately reflects the evolving landscape of elite hockey in Alberta. Our plan will be fair, transparent and consistent for all parties involved.

Evaluation Plan:

The U15 program at CAC will be hosting evaluations in three phases:

1. Spring Camp - May 1st-3rd 2026
2. Fall Camp- August 22nd and 23rd, 2026
3. Main Camp - August/September 2026
• Players who are only interested in playing AA should register only for the 2026 Fall Camp

Signing Offers:

• After the completion of Spring Camp, Signing Offers may be distributed for a spot on the AAA Team
• A maximum of 10 signing offers will be extended following the completion of Spring Camp (Note: not all 10 may be issued at this time)
• Attendance at Spring Camp is a requirement to receive an offer, unless there are valid set of circumstances for a player's absence that has been ratified by the Hockey Committee and the coaching staff.
• Offer letters must be signed in writing by the specified deadline, after signing a commitment form, and the deposit of $1000 must be paid in full by a specified date.
• Players who accept and sign their offer letters will report directly to Main Camp.

Spring Camp- May 1st-3rd, 2026

• Spring camp will have a cap of 84 players. 48 Forwards, 24 Dmen, and 12 Goalies
• Due to ice availability, once the cap is reached, players will be added to the wait list.
• We highly encourage families to add their athlete's name to the waitlist, as spots will change due to withdrawals and special circumstances.
• The CAC reserves the right to adjust the player cap to ensure a balanced and competitive camp.
• Spring Camp will consist of four sessions, ranging from small area games, skills, and scrimmages.
• After the completion of each team's four sessions, the U15AAA coaching staff and the CAC Hockey Committee will provide signing offers and Main Camp invitations.
• All remaining players will attend Fall Camp.

Fall Camp- Late August 2026

• Fall camp will include the following players:
• Were not advanced to Main Camp following Spring Camp
• Did not participate in the spring camp and did not have a verified set of circumstances for their absence
• Registered to start in AA.
• OPlayers that move into Edmonton after the Spring Camp
• Participants will have three evaluation skates, which may include skills sessions, small area games and scrimmages.
• The U15 coaches and the Hockey Committee will have a final evaluation of all players in Fall Camp and finalize the invites for the 42 players attending main camp.
• Players who are not extended invites to Main Camp will move on to AA tryouts.
• Players who are not extended invites to Main Camp can now access a second tryout for AAA

Main Camp: Late August - September 2026

• This is an invite-only camp. Invites will be extended following Spring Camp and the remaining spots will be filled from Fall Camp. Players who register late or move to the draw zone after the spring camp, must attend Fall Camp and be invited to Main Camp.
• Main camp will include three to four evaluation skates that may include skills sessions, small area games, and scrimmages.
• The Red Vs White U15 intersquad game will conclude main camp.
• Player meetings will be conducted and the roster will be reduced to approx. 28 players for the exhibition season.

Registration:

• Registration for the Spring and Fall Camp will be open in early March 2026.
• There are 3 options to register for the Camps
• Spring ID Camp only
• Spring ID Camp and Fall Tryout Camp or Main Camp(if invited)
• Fall Tryout Camp only

General FAQ’s

• To make U15 AAA, do I need to attend Spring Camp?

• No, but attendance at Spring Camp is required to receive a signing offer letter (unless a verified set of circumstances, i.e. injury, has been discussed with the Hockey Committee). Players who do not attend Spring Camp will still have the opportunity to be evaluated in Fall Camp and receive an invite to Main Camp.

• If my athlete is assigned to Fall Camp, are they done with the AAA process?

• No, Fall Camp attendees will still be evaluated and can receive a main camp invite.

• My athlete was not offered a signing letter, can they still make the U15 AAA team?

• Yes. Signing offers make up a limited portion of the roster. The coaching staff can sign up to 10 players, but does not need to use all 10 available spots. Players may not receive a signing offer, but will still be invited to report straight to Main Camp.

• Who gets first priority on the Spring Camp waitlist?

• Positional balance is the first priority. If a forward drops out, the next forward on the list will be added.

• If we decline our signing offer, can our athlete still attend main camp?

• This is on a case-by-case basis, and each scenario will be reviewed by the Hockey Committee and the coaching staff. Your athlete may not be asked to attend main camp if the offer is declined.

• 6. Can my athlete receive feedback from the evaluation process?

• Yes, while data and rankings will not be shared, verbal feedback can be provided if the U15 director is appropriately contacted.

• When is the team finalized?

• The team is not finalized until the end of the evaluation process in mid to late September 2026.

Player Movement FAQ’s

• Are the borders in AAA hockey “open”? Can players try out anywhere they choose?

• No, there is no such thing as an “open borders” policy in Elite Hockey in Alberta.

• How does elite player movement work for players within Hockey Edmonton?

• AAA/AA players who are Edmonton Residents may apply for player movement to a different club from their resident / draw zone club.
• Players must apply between March 1st and 15th. No exceptions. Families will be asked to share a letter highlighting their reasons to request movement to another club.
• If movement is accepted, players will be expected to register for the CAC Spring Camp.
• https://www.playhockeyedmonton.ca/playermovement

• How does player movement work for players outside of a Hockey Edmonton Draw zone?

• Players whose primary association falls out of the CAC drawzone or a subsequent Hockey Edmonton draw zone must first submit an Elite Player Movement Request to Hockey Alberta. Hockey Alberta will accept submissions from March 1st to April 1st.
• Players who have submitted an Elite Player Movement request during this timeframe may be provided temporary permission to attend a second spring camp.
• If CAC indicates that we support the player movement request, this player may attend CAC’s Spring Camp with this temporary permission. Players applying for movement to CAC will receive a letter of support after they have applied.
• This temporary permission only applies to the requested club, but does maintain their eligibility to attend their home association's spring camp.
• This temporary permission does not guarantee that the Elite Player Movement Request will be approved.
• Players on temporary permission will not be eligible to receive a signing offer letter. Letters will only be offered if their Elite Player Movement Request is approved by Hockey Alberta to go to CAC.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Registrar, Betty @ registrar@cac-hockey.com or call 780-499-4148

 Player Fee Summary Example

2025/26 PLAYER FEES 

*The 2026-2027 fees are not set and fees are subject to change.

The Club tries to operate on a balanced budget each year, and the Executive projects a budget of anticipated expenses and known revenues such as sponsors. Player registration fees are calculated to cover such expenses as

• Game ice
• Referee fees for league play and playoffs
• Time Keepers
• Trainers and supplies
• Practice ice (approximately 2 practices per week for AA or 3 for AAA)
• Game jerseys and socks
• Practice jerseys
• Team photos
• Banquet and awards
• Travel - bus, hotel, meal allowance for league games out-of-town
• Coaches and team staff honorariums
• Coaching supplies
• Coaching staff/Player apparel
• Club administration
• Hockey Edmonton, Hockey Alberta, and Hockey Canada fees
• League fees
• Player and coach insurance coverage
• Player, goalie, and coach skill development programs

For the 2026-2027 season, families will have the option of 1 or 4 payments for the fees.

• The first payment is due at the time of team registration.
• If payment in full is chosen, the balance is due at team registration.
• If installments are chosen, the first installment (40%) is due at team registration and the following 3 installments will be due on October 30 (20%), November 20 (20%), and January 15 (20%).
• During your online registration, you can select payment by credit card or e-transfer.
• If you choose to pay by credit card, installments will automatically be charged to your card on the dates listed.
• If you choose to pay by e-transfer, please pay by chosen installment method with e-transfer for the outlined dates.
• Accepted methods of payment are VISA, MasterCard, or E-Transfer.

The team is responsible for all team expenses including additional practice ice required over and above the allocation assigned to the team by the Club (approx. 2 practices per week). 

REFUND POLICY

• Refund requests must be accompanied by a medical certificate.
• Please submit your request to CAC Office attn: Betty email to registrar@cac-hockey.com
• Please allow approximately 3 weeks for the processing of refunds from the time of notification.
• Administration fees will not be refunded.
• Tryout and Registration fees include a $75.00 non-refundable administration charge.

Betty Chmilar

780-499-4148

registrar@cac-hockey.com