Welcome to the 2026–27 CH Wings Season

On behalf of the Cole Harbour Bell Ayr Minor Hockey Association, welcome to another hockey season!

As we get ready to hit the ice, I want to remind everyone that minor hockey is about much more than wins, losses, goals and standings. It is an opportunity for our kids to learn, grow, make friends, face challenges and develop skills that will stay with them long after their hockey days are over.

Tryouts

For many families, the season begins with tryouts, and we recognize that this can be an exciting but also stressful time. Decisions during tryouts are never easy, and not every player will end up on the team they hoped for.

Our tryouts are closed to spectators. This is intentional. It allows our evaluators to do their jobs without distractions and gives our players an environment where they can focus on hockey rather than worrying about who is watching from the stands.

We ask parents to respect the tryout process and support our coaches and independent evaluators. Most importantly, please encourage your players. Help them understand that one tryout, one game or one decision does not define them as a hockey player or as a person.

A quick congratulations to all of our U13AAA players who have completed their tryouts. We know how much preparation, effort and commitment goes into this process. To those players moving on to the next phase of U13 tryouts, best of luck! Go out, work hard, enjoy the opportunity and, most importantly, be proud of the effort you put forward.

Be a Great Teammate

One of our biggest expectations this season is simple: be good to one another.

Every player deserves to feel welcome, valued and respected, regardless of their skill level, experience, physical or intellectual abilities, or where they fit within a lineup.

Some teammates will need a little more support. Some will develop at a different pace. Some may face challenges that aren't immediately obvious to others. That doesn't make them any less important.

We want our players to be the teammates who encourage others, celebrate each other's successes, pick each other up after mistakes and make sure nobody feels left out.

More Than Hockey Players

Our coaches and volunteers have an incredibly important job. Yes, they are teaching hockey, but they are also helping develop young leaders.

We want our players to learn how to communicate, be accountable, handle disappointment, work as a team, show respect, take responsibility and treat others with kindness.

Years from now, we hope our players remember the hockey they played, but even more importantly, we hope they remember the people they became while playing it.

To our coaches, managers, volunteers and board members: thank you for giving your time and energy to our players. And to our parents: thank you for supporting your kids and helping us create the kind of environment every young player deserves.

Let's make this a season we can all be proud of on the ice, in the dressing room, in the stands and throughout our community.

Have a great season, Wings!

Jonathan Hunter
President
Cole Harbour Bell Ayr Minor Hockey Association