U16 AA | U17 AAA | U18 AA

In April 2025, SSAC introduced changes to its evaluation process for U13 – U18 AAA & AA teams as part of an enhanced selection process. Aligned with Hockey Alberta’s Elite Model, and led by the SSAC Hockey Operations group and AAA & AA coaching staff, this new process ensures that all participants are provided a thorough and fair opportunity for evaluation at the AAA level while acknowledging the ever-changing landscape of elite hockey evaluations and opportunities within the region.

1. U16 | U17 | U18 SPRING CAMP/TRYOUTS

• Opportunity for U17 AAA Fall Camp Invitations.
• Opportunity to be Committed to U17 AAA team.
• Opportunity to be Committed to U18 AA team.

2. OPEN or U17 AAA FALL CAMP & AA or AAA MAIN CAMP

• First three (3) days (Fall Camp) will be focused on initial evaluations.
  • U17 AAA invited and U17 AAA committed players will start in the U17 AAA Fall Camp.
  • All other players will start in the OPEN Fall Camp. Age appropriate players in the OPEN Camp may earn the opportunity to be moved into the U17 AAA Main Camp after day 3.

• The remainder of tryouts (Main Camp) will be used for final U16 AA, U18 AA & U17 AAA roster selections. 

KEY DETAILS:

ELIGIBILITY TO TRYOUT AT SSAC

• Players must reside within the SSAC Elite draw zone. Outside boundary players may apply to play for SSAC through the approved Elite Player Movement process. Players outside of Edmonton see Hockey Alberta  (as of May 1) and for players within Edmonton see Hockey Edmonton (as of May 1).

U16 | U17 | U18 SPRING CAMP/TRYOUTS (June 6-8, 2025)

REGISTER HERE

• Registration: May 14, 2025 – June 2, 2025
• Maximum 90 Skaters
• COST: $450
  • Includes U17 AAA Spring Camp, Fall Camp (OPEN or AAA), Main Camp (if applicable).
• Open to players rostered on a Tier 3 or higher team (or equivalent level) from sanctioned or non-sanctioned leagues. Non-sanctioned players may need to pay Hockey Canada Insurance.
• Three 1-hour sessions: Combination of small area skills & scrimmages.
• Players (2009, 2010) can be committed to the U17 AAA Team or invited to U17 AAA Fall Camp.
• Players (2008) can be committed to the U18 AA Team.
• Any player offered a commitment must pay a $2000 deposit.
• All committed players’ names will be posted on, or before, August 1st, 2025, as per Hockey Alberta’s Elite Policies & Procedures.

OPEN/U17 AAA FALL CAMP (September 1 to 7)
REGISTER HERE (link coming June 9!)

• COST FOR JUST ATTENDING OPEN Fall Camp (and Main Camp if applicable):
  • June 9 – June 30 – $325
  • July 1 – Aug 15 – $425 

• All players will skate a minimum of four (4) times before the first player release.

• U17 AAA committed players will attend the U17 AAA Fall Camp on Day 1.

• Players who did not attend the U16 | U17 | U18 Spring Camp or who were not invited to the U17 AAA Fall Camp will attend the OPEN Fall Camp on Day 1.

• Players in the OPEN Fall Camp may earn an opportunity to be moved into the U17 AAA Main Camp.

FAQ’s

1. Why change the process? To align with Hockey Alberta’s Elite Model and offer earlier certainty.
2. Can players outside SSAC’s draw zone tryout for SSAC? Only if they are approved through the Elite Player Movement process see Hockey Alberta / Hockey Edmonton.
3. Do I need to attend U16 | U17 | U18 Spring Camp to make U17 AAA? The U16 | U17 | U18  Spring Camp offers the primary pathway to make the U17 AAA team. However players who do not attend and start in the OPEN Fall camp can still earn an opportunity to make U17 AAA Main Camp. Attendance at the Spring Camp is required to receive an invite to start tryouts in the U17 AAA Fall Camp or receive a U17 AAA Commitment Offer or U18 AA Commitment Offer. 
4. What if there’s no head coach? SSAC Hockey Operations will manage evaluations and offers. 
5. Can players advance from OPEN Fall Camp to U17 AAA Main Camp? Yes, but U16 | U17 | U18 Spring Camp offers the primary pathway.
6. What if my player is injured and cannot participate in U16 | U17 | U18 Spring Camp? An injured player may still be committed to the U17 AAA team and/or extended an invitation to the U17 AAA Fall Camp, provided they submit requested medical documentation for consideration.
7. Can players try out elsewhere if they are released during tryouts? Yes, following Hockey Alberta policies.
8. Can players attend Hockey Alberta programs? Yes, SSAC scheduling accommodates those dates.

U16 AA | U17 AAA | U18 AA Teams

This season, SSAC will field 1 U18 AA, 1 U17 AAA, and 1 U16 AA teams:

• 1 U18 AA team
• 1 U17 AAA team
• 1 U16 AA team

At U18 AA, AEHL, the team will be comprised of a mix of 16 and 17 year-olds.

At U17 AAA, AEHL, the team will be comprised of the elite 15 and 16 year old.

At U16 AA, AEHL, the team will be comprised of 15 year-olds only.

U16 AA | U17 AAA | U18 AA Tryouts – Week 1

U16 AA | U17 AAA | U18 AA tryouts begin the September Labour Day. Players will receive an email the week before with their first ice time.

Coaches will evaluate and Category Directors of the Hockey Operations Committee will observe. Groupings will occur randomly using the player’s preferred tryout position as declared on the application form.

There will be a separate goalie evaluation at beginning of September. Goaltenders will be emailed their group and time.

An injury or illness incurred at tryout time might cause the player to lose out on an opportunity to try out with SSAC. It is at the coaches discretion whether an ill or injured player continues on for further evaluation. The Club is not required to hold positions open for ANY player while they heal from an illness or injury, or while trying out with another Club in the AA Model Tryouts or AAA Player Movement process.

U18 AA & U17 AAA & U16 AA Groups

At beginning of September, the U18 AA coach will each select up to 25 players from the remaining 16 and 17 year-old candidates. A selection of up to 25 players of the 15 and 16 year-olds will be selected by the U17 AAA coach for further evaluation. From the remaining list, the U16 AA coach will select up to 25 players from the 15 year-olds for continued evaluation.

Evaluations of drafted players will continue with constant player movement from Junior to U18 AAA to U18 AA or U17 AAA or U18 AA/U16 AA. Roster numbers will pared down according to Hockey Edmonton and SSAC pre-determined timelines. It is the Club’s desire to complete this process as quickly as possible while allowing players a fair opportunity to display their abilities.

U16 AA | U17 AAA | U18 AA Releases

At the U16 | U17 | U18 levels, rosters will be pared down to within one or two players of being “set” by the start of the SSAC Fall Tournament and be finalized shortly thereafter. If the tryouts in your District begin during this time frame, it is advisable that you communicate with your District Registrar or U16/U18 Category Director to ensure knowledge of their tryout time lines.

Any player not drafted by the U18 AA or U16 AA coaches will return to their EFHL program or may enter the AA Model Player Movement process – see Elite Council. The AA Model allows for a 2nd tryout for another city club. For more step-by-step details to tryout for another club team, visit the Elite Council website.

U17 AAA are eligible for a 2nd tryout in the Alberta Development Model Player Movement process.

U18 AAA Releases

Players who choose to try out for the Hockey Edmonton Junior Oilers U18 AAA team must also register for SSAC’s tryouts. If the player does not return from Junior Oilers (i.e. he makes a U18 AAA), the tryout fee will be refunded. Once a player returns from U18 AAA camp, he will be integrated into the SSAC tryout process with potential evaluation by the U17 AAA coach as well as the U18 AA (16 and 17 year olds) or U16 AA (15 year olds) coaching staff.

Junior Releases

Players who choose to try out for Junior teams must also register for SSAC’s tryouts. If the player does not return from Junior camp (i.e. he makes a Junior team), the tryout fee will be refunded. Once a player returns from Junior camp, he will be integrated into the SSAC tryout process with evaluation by the U18 AAA coach as well as the U18 AA coaching staff.

NO player returning from a Junior camp AFTER October 15 will be accepted into U16 | U17 | U18 tryouts or on to a U18 AAA/AA, U17 AAA or U16 AA team with ANY Hockey Edmonton Club.

NO releases to Clubs outside Hockey Edmonton boundaries will be permitted either.
The player’s options after October 15 will be extremely limited.
Responsibility lies with the player and the Junior team to ensure the October 15 deadline is observed.

All players who choose to try out for Junior teams should receive a Hockey Alberta Letter of Permission from the management of the Junior team. This form must be signed by the Hockey Edmonton Registrar Glenn Sommerville.