Upper Ottawa Valley Aces Minor Hockey oversees the competitive AA hockey program within District 5 of the Ottawa District Minor Hockey Association. The Aces are a relatively new organization that began in 2007 allowing more players in the Upper Ottawa Valley to experience the excitement of playing AA hockey.
The Aces field teams from Major Atom AA (10 year olds) to Major Midget (16-17 year olds). Our teams play in the AA Ontario East Minor Hockey League (OEMHL) during the season but also travel to other cities, provinces and the United States for tournaments.
For complete details concerning the Aces program, including fees, time commitment and tryouts, please continue reading.
Who are the Aces?
The UOV Aces are made up of players from the seven competitive (Rep B) associations in Renfrew County which makes up the ODMHA's District 5. These associations are:
Arnprior Minor Hockey Association
Deep River and Area Minor Hockey Association
Muskrat Minor Hockey Association
Pembroke Minor Hockey Association
Greater Petawawa Minor Hockey Association
Renfrew Minor Hockey Association
Valley Storm Minor Hockey Association
How much does it cost to play for the Aces?
The registration fees for playing on an Aces team are approximately $2000. However, before your child makes an Aces team and begins to make the four scheduled payments, he must be registered with his home association. Once your child makes the Aces roster your local association will refund your original registration fee.
Other expenses include travel, meals and other personal expense for a maximum of fifteen home games and fifteen away games. Aces home games take place in communities across District 5. As well, Aces teams play in five tournaments during the year. These tournaments are booked before tryouts and usually take place in Ontario, Quebec or upstate New York. Teams are encouraged to play in at least one tournament in the Ottawa area.
What is the time commitment involved to play on an Aces team?
On average, players can expect to have between three to five hockey related activities per week. This ranges from games, practices, dry land training, tournaments or other team events. Throughout the season teams average three hours of practice a week and two games a week, although with tournaments, this schedule can get very concentrated at times. Home games are played in rinks across District 5 while practices are usually concentrated at the arenas in Beachburg, Cobden and Westmeath. However you describe it, a season of AA hockey in the OEMHL is a busy one and lasts seven months.
How are the teams selected?
The Aces hold an annual tryout process that traditionally takes place in mid to late August and continues through the September Labour Day weekend (dates vary from year to year). Teams start fresh each season – meaning no players are guaranteed roster spots – all players must come to tryouts and compete for a spot on our teams.
During tryouts, each coach will have two independent evaluators as well as evaluation criteria that they must use to assist them in selecting players for their team. Coaches and evaluators assess things such as skating ability, puck handling, game sense and other intangibles which may include things such as adaptability and attitude (among others).