AA Tryouts 2026-27

Greetings Rapids & Cascade Selects players and families,

As our hockey program continues to grow, our goal is to create a stronger development pathway for players in Central Oregon — one that allows athletes to compete at a higher level while continuing to develop within the Rapids program.

Beginning in the 2026–27 season, Bend Rapids will introduce a AA team at 14U and 16U joining the AA tiered system that the 18U team competes in under the Cascade Selects brand. This is an important step forward for the program and reflects the progress our players, families, coaches, and Steering Committee have made in raising the level of hockey in Bend.

AA Tryout DATES / LOCATION

Players interested in competing for a spot on these teams are expected to register and attend tryouts. These sessions will serve as the primary evaluation opportunity for roster placement.

AA hockey represents a higher level of play and commitment. Players and families should expect:

• - Faster pace and stronger competition
• - Additional travel and tournament play
• - Increased expectations around preparation, development, and team accountability in-season and off-season

Because of this, commitment to the team and the program is essential. Attendance at tryouts is an important first step in demonstrating that commitment.

If a player cannot attend the April tryout weekend, families must notify the Coaching Director, ADM, Chair, or Vice Chair in advance with the reason for absence.

Excusable absences may include:

• - Physical injury preventing participation
• - Illness
• - Pre-planned family travel
• - A milestone competition or championship event in another sport
• - Existing scheduled academic conflict

If there are other circumstances families believe should be considered, please communicate them so they can be considered.

We also want to encourage players who may feel they are on the bubble to still register and participate in tryouts. Our goal is to keep as many athletes developing within the Rapids program as possible. We are currently exploring additional development pathways, including practice player positions that would allow athletes to train and compete in practice.

We are working through these details further to ensure we can accommodate all registered athletes’ participation in one manner or another. This is especially important as we continue building opportunities across the program, including for girls hockey. We recognize the current lack of girls registrations and are taking that seriously as an organization, with plans underway to grow girls hockey participation in Central Oregon through the Rapids and partnered programs.

In addition, the program is workshopping the possibility of a second evaluation date later in the spring. This would provide players with legitimate conflicts another opportunity to be evaluated and may also allow additional players to compete for roster or development positions.

We are excited about the continued growth of Rapids Hockey and the opportunity to provide a stronger competitive and development pathway available to all of our athletes.

Tyler Brower

Rapids ADM Coordinator, adm@bendrapidsyouthhockey.org