North Island Tier 1 Zone Program

 🏒 Understanding Zone Hockey & the North Island Tier 1 Program

💡 What is the Benefit of Regional / Zone Teams?

• Skill Development: Players get to train and compete with others at a similar skill level, helping them grow at the right pace.
• Evolving Hockey Landscape: As new teams and leagues emerge across the province, VIAHA continues to evolve to offer top-tier opportunities locally, keeping players competitive without needing to leave their home communities.
• Strong Local Hockey: The goal is better Island League representation, enhanced player development, and offering a high-quality, home-based hockey experience—a meaningful alternative to academies and private leagues.

🌲 What is the North Island Tier 1 Zone Team?

The North Island Tier 1 Zone Team is a regional rep program that draws players from four Minor Hockey Associations (MHAs):

• Comox Valley MHA (CVMHA)
• Campbell River MHA (CRMHA)
• Powell River MHA (PRMHA)
• Tri-Port MHA (TPMHA)

This is part of the Island League VIAHA Regional Tier 1 Program.

🏠 Who Hosts the Team?

• Historically, Comox Valley MHA has hosted due to being designated as a Tier 1 association based on player registration averages.
• Hosting will now be more flexible. The team’s home base and practice location will be determined by:
  • Where the majority of rostered players reside
  • Ice availability
  • Travel considerations

This approach aims to improve fairness and participation across all four associations.

📋 North Island Tier 1 Zone Team - What Parents Need to Know:

Please note: Some details like practice schedules, host rinks, and travel can’t be finalized until tryouts are complete and the roster is set. However, here’s what we expect:

1. 🏒 Practice Locations

• Practices will likely rotate between Campbell River and Comox.
• Final locations depend on:
  • Final team roster composition
  • Ice availability

2. 💰 Costs

• Expected fees range between $500 - $2,000 in addition to registration fees
• Fundraising will also be required to help offset team expenses.
• Budgets are being finalized by the North Island Zone Committee.

3. 👨 Coaching

• Tier 1 Coaches are selected and appointed by the North Island Committee and are as follows:
  • U13 - BRYCE COCKBURN
  • U15 - ROB VOLTERA
  • U18 - MASON HARRIS

4. 📅 Tryouts

• Tryouts will take place August 25-29 in both Campbell River and Comox.
• Tryout schedules will be released soon.

How to Sign Up for Tier 1 Tryouts

1. Register with your home association- even if your goal is the Zone Team, you must be registered with your home association first.
2. Declare Your Intention to try out for the Tier 1 Zone Team
1. Comox Valley MHA -Comox players please use the regular Comox Valley MHA’s registration process by login in to TeamSnap & select Rep Tryouts.
2. Campbell River MHA - CRMHA players please use the regular registration process to sign up and pay your tryout fee. You must also complete the VIAHA 2025 T1 Tryout Request Form  to be emailed to info@crmha.ca by July 31st
3. Powell River MHA - *Comox MHA will collect interested Powell River player forms and tryout payments. 2025 T1 Tryout Request Form Mail to Comox Valley MHA PO Box 3226, Courtenay, BC V9N 5N4. Also accepting Emailed forms and Tryout fees of $175 by e-transfer to comoxvalleymha@gmail.com Phone: 250-702-5259
4. TriPort MHA - *Campbell River MHA will collect interested TriPort player forms and tryout payments. 2025 T1 Tryout Request Form. Email forms and Tryout fees of $175 by e-transfer to info@crmha.ca (Make sure you put your players name and association in the e-transfer memo) Phone: 250-204-6767

Important: If you choose not to try out for the Tier 1 team, you will not be eligible to affiliate to it during the season.

🧡 What About your home association Rep Programs

• The home association Rep Programs remain unchanged and continue to offer strong Tier 2 options for local players.
• U13, U15, and U18 Rep Teams are planned every season, depending on:
  • Registration numbers
  • Coach availability
  • Goalie numbers
  • Recreation player/team counts

CRMHA & CVMHA does everything it can to field a team in each division, but final team numbers aren’t known until September.

How to Try Out for the Tyees

Choose either the "NI BEARS TIER 1 REP TRYOUTS" or “TYEE TIER 2 REP TRYOUTS ONLY” option during registration.

• The same tryout fee applies for both Tier 1 and Tier 2 tryouts.

How to Try Out for the CVMHA Bears

Choose the "Rep Tryout" option during registration. You will be emailed to confirm T1 or T2 or Both.

• The same tryout fee applies for both Tier 1 and Tier 2 tryouts.