Tryouts!

Tryouts for the 2025-26 Travel Season! 

REGISTER HERE

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The Oakland Bears will be hosting tryouts for Tier II (AA) beginning on Friday June 13th - Saturday June 15th, 2025

The Oakland Bears will be hosting tryouts for A/BB/B beginning on Friday June 20th - Saturday June 22nd, 2025

All players are required to have the 2025-26 USAH Membership registration for tryouts. 

Please bring a copy of your players' birth certificate or passport to tryouts if you are a new player in the travel hockey program.

USAH Membership

Tryout Check-in process:

• Tryout check-in time will be 1 hour before your first skate to receive jerseys.
  • Jerseys will be collected after every skate unless told by the coach.
  • Jerseys will be reassigned for each skate unless told by coach.
  • You will need to check in before every skate.
  • Cuts can be made after first skate. Coaches will let you know.

The East Bay Bears will be holding tryouts for the upcoming Sharks High School Hockey League. Teams will compete in the Varsity Division 2 league and the JV league. 

Register Here

High School - Varsity

Saturday June 21 5:30p - 6:30p 

Sunday June 22 5:00p - 6:00p 
High School - JVA/JVC

Saturday June 21 4:15p - 5:15p 

Sunday June 22 3:45p - 4:45p 

All players MUST provide a current 2025-26 USA Hockey number.
All players MUST register for tryouts to be considered for a team.

INFO COMING SOON! 

Should we still register?
YES - Players who are not able to attend tryouts for any reason should still register for tryouts using the online registration process. Only players who are registered will be considered for a roster spot.

Can you hold a spot for my player?
NO - We do not hold spots on teams for players who are unable to attend tryouts. Arrangements may be made in advance, pending coach availability, for coaches to evaluate a player prior to tryouts if you are not able to attend any of the tryout sessions so that the coach may take that player into consideration. But no decision will be made on any player not in attendance until the completion of tryouts.

What if we can't get on the ice before or during tryouts?
If you are unable to get on the ice prior to tryouts or make tryouts, your player registration entitles the player to two skates with the team (given there is still space at the conclusion of tryouts) to be considered. Once the player has completed a minimum of one skate or a maximum of three skates, the coach may offer the player a spot on the team, at which time the standard financial deposit is due.

What if we can only attend one skate, or will miss one or more of the tryout sessions?
One is better than none! All players are encouraged to attend as many tryout sessions as they can. Players should make coaches aware if they will not be present at any future tryout. If the coach has made a decision on the player at that time they may choose to offer the player a spot, or defer to the completion of tryouts. If the player is offered a spot, a standard financial deposit and signed contract is required at the time of acceptance.

The Oakland Bears Hockey Club has a player-first development focus. However, players shall be assigned to teams based primarily, but not solely, on skill and experience. Other factors taken into consideration include physical and emotional maturity, attitude, team spirit, and sibling relationships. In all cases, players will be assigned to teams where they will be provided the best opportunity to develop.

Our tryout approach emphasizes fairness, and transparency and shall be in alignment with the Oakland Bears coaching philosophy of fostering a lifelong love of ice hockey.

How will they function?

• Tryouts are a chance for coaches to see the kids perform in a variety of situations. Players will participate in a series of small area games and drills, as well as half and full ice scrimmages.

• Parents are encouraged to not distract or interact with players during tryouts.

• Coaches for each age / level will run tryouts collectively. See who your season coaches are on our coaching coaches page!

• Player selection and cuts are done by a committee of coaches to avoid  favoritism. Final selection will be made by the team HC in consideration of committee evaluations. The selection committee does not include parent coaches for teams for which their child is eligible. For example, a 14U Parent Coach may evaluate a 10U session, but not a 14U session. 

• Tryouts take place over three one-hour ice sessions on separate days.

• Target team sizes are within the following range, conditioned on the number of eligible players and their skill level.

10U (10-13 skaters, 1-2 goalies)
12U (10-13 skaters, 1-2 goalies)
14U (12 - 15 skaters. 2 goalies)
16U (15 skaters, 2 goalies minimum)
18U (15 skaters, 2 goalies minimum)

• Team placement will be announced via email or phone direct to the player and their family within 24 hours of the last day tryouts.      Contracts and space acceptance will be mailed out with an announced "acceptance" timeframe.