Tryouts
Tryout registration
If you want to tryout for a GSE travel team and you have read all the info below, click on this registration link:
Contacts
Tony Manino III
North Manager contact
Chris Hathaway
South Manager contact
2023-2024 CAHA 16U Girls AA State and PGHL Champions
Do you want to tryout for a GSE team?
If so, you landed on the right page. This registration is for serious players interested in trying out for GSE.
By registering for our tryouts, we assume that you will accept a team position, if offered.
As you can see by the length of this page and the wealth of information on it, that we are serious about hockey and we understand that you should be informed as much as possible about our program.
Tier hockey is serious hockey and if you are serious about your hockey, then you are going to want to tryout for us.
General Info on GSE
As we begin our 13th season, Golden State Elite (GSE) hockey program is still the top performing tier program in California and we are committed to providing an environment for you to prepare for your most important years ahead. In 2020, we were ranked in the Top 20 AA clubs in the country by Culturama.
Last season, five teams went to the CAHA State playoffs. Our 16U AA Girls team won States and the PGHL. Our 16U AA co-ed team was the runner up at CAHA States.
Our focus is on you, your development and providing you every opportunity to play this game at the next level. We only attract players who are dedicated to achieving excellence and those players who strive for success. We look forward to helping our players reach their goals.
In our brief history, we have had nationally ranked teams, sent multiple teams to state playoffs, took 5 state titles, and sent 4 teams to Nationals.
In order to accommodate the geographically diverse player population, GSE is split along geographic boundaries: North and South. North teams will have practices between mainly in Vacaville and sometimes San Francisco. South teams practice mainly in Cupertino and sometimes in San Francisco . Weekend practices for all teams may differ.
GSE is a joint venture between Cupertino Cougars, Vacaville Jets, and San Francisco Sabercats. For more information about us, click on the About menu.
Why tryout for GSE?
Coaches
Our coaches are the secret sauce to what makes our program great. Our coaches are tier coaches with years of experience coaching at a high level.
Fixed practice schedule
Teams will have the same practice slots through out the season, so families can plan around practices in advance. This does not apply to any bonus ice a team may receive.
Nationally Ranked
Our teams are typically highly ranked nationally (according to MyHockeyRankings.com). Our teams average ranking is somewhere in the top 1/3 in the nation.
Goalies
We pay special attention to our goalies. We have dedicated full-time goalie training by professional goalie coaches. Goalies receive training during their team practices by our dedicated goalie coaches.
Scouts/Exposure
Our higher end teams participate in national leagues that offer showcase events for player exposure such as the NAPHL.
A lot of people talk about getting their player "seen" by scouts. We have a scout in our program. Mario Morrissette is a scout for the Walpole Express Junior A team (EHL).
In addition, we are frequently contacted by outside scouts.
Tryout fee
| Tryout | Date | Early registration | Late registration |
|---|---|---|---|
| All levels | 6/7 - 6/8 | $135 (by 5/27) | $150 |
See the registration buttons at the top or bottom of this page.
Tryout dates
Teams
This season we will be forming the following teams:
12U AA, birth years 2012 & 2013:
Girls 16U AA Combined, birth years 2008 & 2009:
Girls 19U AA Combined, birth years 2005 - 2007:
18U AA, birth years 2006 & 2007:
Contact the coaches
Feel free to reach out to the coaches with any specific team questions.
Kevin Nathan
12S Head Coach
Dylan Dixon
12N Head Coach
Tony Manino III
14N & 16 Girls Combo Head Coach
Justin Hubert
14S Head Coach
Casey O'Sullivan
18 Combo Head Coach
Mario Morrissette
16S Head Coach
Kody Thomas
16N Head Coach
Program details
We will have 2 practices per week and a third on the weekend, except when we are playing games, traveling, or on holiday. Some teams (not all) will utilize a skills + team practice strategy, where players will practice at their most convenient rink (Cupertino, San Francisco, or Vacaville) and they will attend full team practices.
CAHA is AA format is the same as last year. The top 4 Norcal teams will play SoCal teams during CAHA Cross-over weekends which are mostly played in NORCAL (one weekend will be in SoCal). We will schedule games with the NORCAL teams for the CAHA league standings. Top 6 teams at the end of the season will play in the CAHA State Finals.
Our 12AA teams will participate in NORCAL AA (there is no CAHA league).
Our 18 Combo team will participate in the NAPHL Showcase.
Our Girls teams will participate in the PGHL.
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Practices | Beginning in early August through early February (about 25 weeks for AAA and 27 weeks for AA), players will have 2 practices per week. A third practice on the weekend will be conducted when not playing games, playing at tournaments, or on holiday. No practices will be conducted on holidays or while the team is at or traveling to a tournament. Drylands and chalk talks may be included with practices or done online. |
| CAHA Weekend (AA teams) | We are allocating $10,000 per team towards the CAHA weekends. Teams will have to cover the costs above and beyond that amount. If the CAHA fees are less than $10K, then the left over amount will be applied to the team's tournament fees. |
| Goalie training | Goalies will be trained by professional goalie coaches. |
| Coach expenses | Coaches' USA Hockey registration, training, etc and annual stipend. |
| Internet | Includes team pages, season fee payment processing, mobile app, internal Facebook site, etc. |
| Level | Fees | 7 Monthly payments + $500 deposit |
|---|---|---|
| AA (August-mid-February) | $4,600 | $585.71 |
regular season dues
The items above are covered by the dues.
If your player makes a team, be prepared to pay a $500 deposit immediately.
If you pay your dues in full at the time of registration, you will receive a $125 discount.
Our payment plan will be spread over 7 months. The plan starts in mid-August and runs until mid-February.
FAQ
Q: What is the difference between North and South? Depending on the numbers and strength we see at tryouts, we may divide an age group into north and south teams. North teams will be based out of San Francisco and Vacaville. South teams will be based out of Vallco and San Francisco. Weekend practices may be conducted at any GSE rink.
Q: Can I specify my preference for North or South even though I don't live near my preferred region? Yes.
Q: Do I have to play for one of the three GSE clubs in order to tryout? NO.
Registration Questions?
Contact:
William Stone
Co-Founder
Registration link
Ready to tryout? Click the registration button below.
Good luck! We hope to see you wearing our sweater this season!
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