About the Gloucester Rangers
Interested in finding out about the Gloucester Rangers? On this page you can find information about:
Who are the Rangers?
How much does it cost to play Rangers?
What is the time commitment involved?
How are teams selected?
What is the Rangers development program?
Who are the Rangers?
Gloucester Rangers Minor Hockey oversees the competitive AA and A hockey program within the Gloucester Hockey Association which makes up District 9 of the Ottawa District Minor Hockey Association. The Rangers are a well-established, experienced and respected organization within the Ottawa and surrounding area.
The Rangers field teams from Minor Atom (9 year olds) to Major Midget (16-17 year olds). Our teams play in the AA/A Ottawa East Minor Hockey League (OEMHL) during the season but also travel to other cities, provinces and the United States for tournaments.
We are a strong organization not only on the ice but off as well and we have the results to back us up! Over the last few years we have... graduated coaches to AAA and junior levels and in 2009-2010 all of our 12 teams made the playoffs, 11 made the league semi finals, four made the league finals and three were crowned league champions.
The Rangers serve as the feeder program to the Ottawa Jr. 67’s and the Upper Ottawa Valley Cyclones AAA hockey programs. The Rangers program draws from the Rep B teams such as the Orleans Blues, Gloucester Blackhawks and Metcalfe/Russell River Rats.
How much does it cost to play for the Rangers?
The registration fees for playing on a Ranger team are approximately $1,250. This includes what you would have already paid to your home association. For example, if you paid $500 registration to your home association (i.e. Leitrim, Orleans, Metcalfe, etc) then the balance due to the Rangers when a player is placed on a team would be $750.
In addition to registration fees there are team fees. The average team fees are $1,000 per player - this is just an average, the fees could be higher or lower depending on what the parents approve as the team budget.
Here is a sample cost breakdown (fees may vary):
$500 – registration with home association
$750 – balance of Ranger registration fee
$1,000 – average team fees
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$2,250 – average total costs (excluding travel for out of town tournaments)
Other expenses include travel, meals and other personal expense for a maximum of 3 out of town tournaments.
Financial assistance can be made available. For more information please contact the Rangers Chair or the Treasurer.
What is the time commitment involved to play on a Ranger team?
On average, players can expect to have between 3 and 5 hockey related activities per week. This ranges from games, practices, dry land training, tournaments or other team events. This is just an average and varies from team to team.
In addition to league play, Ranger teams are permitted to attend up to 5 tournaments with a maximum of 3 being out of town.
The Rangers 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).
We strongly recommend during tryouts that players focus on the things they normally do well - play to your strengths. For example, if a players strength is being a stay at home defenseman, they should play that way and not get caught up trying to show they can be a rushing offensive defenseman if that isn’t the type of player they are.
What is the Rangers Development Program?
The Rangers program puts the emphasis on development rather than just winning. The coaches in our program know that we are looking for consistency from year to year in what our players are learning so that they continue to develop. To ensure that this happens we have spent several years building our coaching competency base with the help of our partners at Endeavour Sports Group.
To oversee our development program, Mike Pilon of Endeavour Sports Group has been hired to perform the crucial role of Coach Mentor. The Rangers years ago identified the need for consistency in teaching criteria, development strategies and the balance between technical and tactical instruction. Mike and his staff are mentors, teachers and colleagues to our coaches and meet with them regularly, providing hands-on teaching and observation as well as access to a full library of teaching tools and techniques. Their role is primarily to work with the coaches, offering advice, techniques, tips, constructive criticism, and objective evaluation. It should be noted that there is a national movement towards such a position and that the Rangers were among the first organizations in Canada to adopt a formal development program.