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2023-24 Season Preview

By Rapids Communications, 05/04/23, 6:45PM PDT

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Greetings Parents!! 

We've been working hard on putting together the plan for the 2023-24 season. The process started many months ago. Your ideas shared with us during the end of season survey were and are being considered with many of them in the process of implementation right now.  Here is a preview of what each team will look like next season.  We continue to welcome your ideas and suggestions

Remember, we've got team meetings at the Pavilion the week of May 15-19, 2023.  Attend the meeting for the age division in which your athlete anticipates playing in next season. These will be led by Rapids Chair, Aaron Olson and other committee members. This is a great opportunity get your questions answered and learn about what's on deck for the Rapids. Keep an eye on your email for exact dates/times. 

#LetsGoRapids! --- The Steering Committee

8U Overview:  (Birth Years 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018)

This division includes players between the ages of 6-8. Practice ice times will average 2 times a week and will vary based on previously planned and/or added Pavilion events. Practices will be shared ice with the younger age groups. Games will be scheduled in accordance with OSHA league rules, which include some limitations on travel. Additional games may be scheduled outside of Oregon as available.  Referees for games may sometimes be coaches. As skills develop, it may be appropriate towards the 2nd half of the season to provide opportunities for higher skilled players to compete in higher level (“A”) tournaments.  Games will be played “cross-ice”.  Athletes should have at least one year of skating and hockey experience.

 

10U Overview: (Birth Years 2013 & 2014)

This division includes players between the ages of 9-10. The season will begin with informal player evaluations during the first few months of practice. During this period the team will have the opportunity to compete in all scheduled games and tournaments. Based on the anticipated size and skill variation inherent in this age division, multiple teams will eventually be designated based on skill level. This will provide each player with the maximal opportunity to develop against their equally skilled opponents. Players can move between the two teams at any time during the season at the coaching staff’s discretion. Teams playing at higher level will target one or more “A” level tournaments towards the 2nd half of the season. “A” level tournaments are typically more expensive and those additional costs will be distributed to the team competing in them. Games will be half-ice for most of the year with some full-ice games scheduled for the later part of the season.

Practice ice times will average 2 times a week and will vary based on previously planned and/or added Pavilion events. Practices will be shared ice with the younger age groups. Games will be scheduled in accordance with OSHA league rules, which include some limitations on travel and full ice play. Additional games may be scheduled throughout the Pacific Northwest. The total number of teams created and level of play for teams created will be dependent upon the total number of players in the age division and their ability as assessed by the evaluators.

 

12U Overview: (Birth Years 2011 & 2012)

This division includes players between the ages of 11-12. Based on the anticipated size and skill variation in this age division, two teams are planned. The teams will participate at the competitive ("A" / "B") levels; also considered Rep and Development levels. The Rep team will target 4 “A” or Rep-level tournaments; these will likely be out of state. The Development team will target 3 “B” level tournaments and the state jamboree.  “A” level tournaments are typically more expensive and those additional costs will be distributed to the team competing in them. Both teams will play OSHA scheduled games per league policy.  Each team will have separate head coaches and team managers. 

Tryouts/evaluations are open to all players and will be held during the first week of practice.  The total number of teams created and level of play for teams created will be dependent upon the total number of players in the age division and their ability as assessed by the evaluators.  Players can move between A and B teams, at the coaching staff’s discretion until Jan 1, 2024.

Practice ice times will average 2 times a week and will vary based on previously planned and/or added Pavilion events. Practices will consist of full and shared ice.

 

14U Overview: (Birth Years 2009 & 2010)

This division includes players between the ages of 13-14. Based on team size and skill level projected for the 2023-24 Season, one team is planned with a minimal OSHA schedule that qualifies the team for the Oregon State Championship. This team will also target “A” level tournaments to increase competitive opportunities throughout the season. Tryouts/evaluations are open to all players in this age group.

Practice ice times will average 2 times a week and will vary based on previously planned and/or added Pavilion events. Practices are full ice, except when overlaps occur with other teams.

 

16U AA Overview: (Birth Years 2007 & 2008)

Our goal is to put forward the most competitive all-Oregon team possible at the 16U level. The focus will be on high-level games/tournaments throughout the season around the OSHA schedule of games and tournaments.  Options are currently being explored for a team name and uniform design representing this all-Oregon team, more information to come.  Registration numbers and skill level at tryouts will determine the viability of such a team as well as the final logistics. 

This division includes players between the ages of 15 & 16. Players will participate at the competitive "AA" level around the Pacific Northwest. We are targeting 5 tournament weekends, with a few full team practices and a possible friendly weekend of games in Bend, OR. Tryouts are open to all players of qualifying age in Oregon and will be held in late Spring.  Similar to the 2022-23 season, the team will be managed, coached, and hosted by the Bend Rapids. 

Players will practice with their home organization throughout the season and are allowed to be double-rostered on this 16U AA teams as long as both teams are within Oregon and not at the same competition level. For example, at 16U AA player may also be rostered on an 18U B or A team. This allows players to still compete with their home association's 18U team and also get the opportunity to play higher level competition at the 16U age level over the course of the season.  

Home ice for Bend Rapids players is the Pavilion. Practices are full ice except during overlaps with other teams. Games and tournaments will be played mostly out of state. In the previous season this team traveled across the Pacific Northwest, Utah, Nevada, Colorado, and New York (Nationals). 

 

18U -  Overview: (Birth Years 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008)

Our goal is to provide the most competitive options available for this age division based on the results of tryouts and registration numbers. These options consist of 1 or 2 teams playing at different competitive levels. The higher level will focus on out of state tournaments, while the lower level will focus on OSHA. Based on current projections, there are too many variables to definitively commit to AA, A, or B level play at the moment. This division includes players between the ages of 15-18. Tryouts are open to all players and will be held the 2nd weekend of June (exact date/time TBD). The total number of teams created and level of play for teams created will be dependent upon the total number of players in the age division and their ability as assessed by the evaluators.

 

LEVELS OF PLAY FAQs

In the United States, USA Hockey designates the levels, ages and classifications for youth or minor hockey.  

  • Tier 1: The highest level of competition, also called "AAA".
  • Tier 2: Also called "AA".
  • Tier 3: Also called Recreational/Developmental: Includes house league and select.  “A”, "B", "C", or “House League” are levels within this Tier.