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Tryouts (U18,U17,U16) 2025
- Admin
- Jul 22
- 5 min read
Updated: Sep 5
The St. Albert Raiders elite hockey program offers a unique opportunity to Step Forward and join a passionate hockey community with a rich legacy. Players for the U18 AAA, U17 AAA, U18 AA, and U16 AA teams will be selected after the tryout process is complete, with the Head Coach responsible for the final selections.
Player Eligibility
Players born in 2010, 2009 and 2008 who reside permanently within the defined boundary are eligible to tryout for the St. Albert Raiders programs. Each team in the AEHL U18 AAA, U17 AAA, U18 AA, and U16 AA Leagues have a different draw zone.
U18 AAA
Please note the U18 AAA recruitment area includes all minor hockey associations west of St. Albert to Jasper and includes players from the following communities:
Barrhead, CR Knights, Edson, Enoch, Fox Creek, Hinton, Jasper, Mayerthorpe, Pembina, Spruce Grove, Stony Plain, St. Albert, Swan Hills, and Whitecourt.
U18 AAA
U18 AAA MAIN CAMP
Players at U18 AAA Main Camp will skate a minimum of three times before the first player release.
The $399 tryout fee paid in the spring covers both the Spring Camp and Main Camp.
Jarome Iginla | Fri, Sep 5, 2025 | 5:00 PM- 6:00 PM |
Jarome Iginla | Fri, Sep 5, 2025 | 6:15 PM- 7:15 PM |
Jarome Iginla | Sat, Sep 6, 2025 | 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM |
Jarome Iginla | Sat, Sep 6, 2025 | 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM |
Jarome Iginla | Sat, Sep 6, 2025 | 3:00 PM- 4:00 PM |
Jarome Iginla | Sat, Sep 6, 2025 | 4:15 PM- 5:15 PM |
Jarome Iginla | Sun, Sep 7, 2025 | 1:15 PM- 3:30 PM |
COMMITTED PLAYERS
U18 AAA Raiders Player Commitments
The U18 AAA Raiders have committed to 1 Goaltender, 3 Defencemen, and 4 Forwards for the upcoming season.
Across the AEHL U18 AAA division:
The average number of player commitments per team is 7.
One team has no commitments to date.
Two teams have committed 11 players.
All other teams have between 4 and 9 commitments.
U17 AAA
U17 AAA Flyers | Jarome Iginla | Wed, Sep 10, 2025 | 5:15 PM- 6:15 PM |
U17 AAA Flyers | Jarome Iginla | Wed, Sep 10, 2025 | 6:30 PM- 7:30 PM |
U17 AAA Flyers | Jarome Iginla | Thu, Sep 11, 2025 | 4:30 PM- 5:30 PM |
U17 AAA Flyers | Jarome Iginla | Thu, Sep 11, 2025 | 5:45 PM- 6:45 PM |
U17 AAA Flyers | Jarome Iginla | Thu, Sep 11, 2025 | 7:00 PM- 8:00 PM |
U16 AA & U18 AA
AA TRYOUTS
Three 1-hour sessions: 1 Small Area Skills & 2 Scrimmages.
ELIGIBLE PLAYERS
Players not selected for AAA Main Camp (2008)
Players who did not attend Spring Camp
Players wanting to start their tryout process at AA.
*Non-resident players are not accepted at the AA level.
AVAILABLE POSITIONS
Teams will have a roster of 19-20 players.
TRYOUT PASS
*Registration Rates Increase by $100 after July 8th.
**Raiders tryouts are only open to players who have paid the base registration fee for the 2025/26 season.
Three 1-hour sessions: 1 Small Area Skills & 2 Scrimmage
Critical Dates
U18 AAA
U17 AAA
U17 AAA Tryouts Start | September 10 |
U17 AAA 1st Release | September 12 |
U17 AAA 2nd Release | September 16 |
U17 AAA 3rd Release | September 23 |
U17 AAA Roster | September 25 |
U18 AA & U16 AA
U18 AA Tryouts Start | September 14 |
U18 AA 1st Release | September 19 |
U18 AA Roster | October 1 |
U16 AA Tryouts Start | September 14 |
U16 AA 1st Release | September 19 |
U16 AA Roster | October 1 |
2025/26 Raiders U18 Program
In the 2024 - 2025 season, the St. Albert Raiders U18 program will host four teams.
U18 AAA Raiders (20)
U17 AAA Raiders (19)*
U16 AA Raiders (20)*
U18 AA Raiders (20)
The St. Albert Raiders program is committed to a fair and transparent evaluation and selection process.
*To ensure the program can accept players released from Junior A and Major Junior leagues, either the U18 AA or U17 AAA team will hold one roster position open. At the conclusion of the tryout process, it will be determined which team will carry 19 players.
Both teams may roster up to 20 players, but at this time, there are too many unknowns to predetermine which team may be impacted by released players.
Please note that within our U18 program (U18 AA, U17 AAA, and U16 AA), rosters are not finalized until January 10. If a player who remains eligible for Minor Hockey is released from a Junior A or Major Junior team, the Raiders reserve the right to add that player to a roster at their discretion.
In the past, this has occasionally disrupted team rosters. Moving forward, we are committed to transparent communication with all teams as these situations arise.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do I have to pay a second tryout fee for the Main Camp or AA tryouts?
No. The $399 tryout fee covers your full participation in Raiders tryouts, including both the Spring ID Camp and the Main Camp in August/September.
We moved here after the Spring ID Camp, but would like to try out for AAA. What are the required steps? Players who move to our recruitment area may be required to start the tryout process in AA. The AAA coaches are expected to attend the first AA tryout. If a player demonstrates they have the ability to play at the AAA level in the program, the Head Coach can extend an invitation to this player. Please contact the association Registrar for more details.
I have been invited to the Main Camp, now what?
In May, you will receive an email detailing the registration requirements. All resident players continuing in the tryout process are required to register for the upcoming season before August 15th. Registration opens on May 1st.
What if my player improves over the summer? Can they still be considered for U18 AAA?
The U18 AAA coaches are expected to attend the first U17 AAA tryout. If a player demonstrates they can play at the U18 AAA level, the Head Coach may extend an invitation to this player.
Why are a limited number of players being invited to U18 AAA Main Camp?
While we recognize that players continue to develop over the off-season, our data indicates that evaluating a selection pool of 80 players will allow the coaching staff to assess those eligible to play at this level in a more focused and concentrated environment.
I only want to try out for AA. What are my next steps?
If your player is only interested in AA, tryouts registration will open on May 1st; the cost is $249. All resident players are required to register for the upcoming season before August 15th. Each player will receive a minimum of three skates at the AA tryouts in August.
*Registration rates increase on July 8th by $100.
Will the AAA team roster be confirmed after Spring Camp?
No, this is not our intention. The Head Coach does have the opportunity to extend commitments to players whom they are confident will be part of their team in the upcoming season. The number of committed players will be made public after August 1st.
Why has the tryout fee changed this season?
The combined tryout fee and spring camp costs have increased by $50, however, players are receiving more time on ice. The AA tryout fee has not changed.
Tryout Fee Comparison Chart
SPRING ID | TRYOUT | CUSTOM JERSEY | MIN. SKATES | |
2024/25 | n/a | $250 | N/A | 6 (3 SPRING + 3 AAA OR AA FALL) |
2024/25 Non-Resident | n/a | $200 | n/a | 2 (FALL) |
2025/26 - AAA | $399 | N/A | INCLUDED | 7 (4 SPRING + 3 AAA OR AA FALL) |
2025/26 - AA | N/A | $249 | N/A | 3 (AA FALL) |
