Junior Gold Hockey Information   

Saint Paul Tommies - September 2024

Registration for tryouts for the 2024-2025 hockey season is now upon us.

As a competitive option for those players not participating on school Varsity or Junior Varsity hockey teams, The Saint Paul Tommies (SPT) will continue to offer players a place to play the game they love.

Providing the opportunity for skill and character development while participating in the Junior Gold High School League (jghsl.org), players will experience a 24-game regular season (12 ‘away’ games, and 12 home games played at the Saint Thomas Ice Arena), playoffs, and potentially a State Tournament experience.  Teams often participate in tournaments during the season as well.

Under the umbrella of the West Saint Paul Hockey Association, the Saint Paul Tommies have historically placed one team at each of the JG16, JGB, and JGA levels.  Teams have typically rostered 15-18 skaters and 1 or 2 goaltenders.  Teams are selected after a tryout process, following the establishment of Saint Thomas Academy and Two Rivers high school hockey teams.  JG Tryouts are tentatively scheduled to begin on Sunday, November 17.  Ice schedule to be announced.  For those multi-sport athletes, tryouts will be adjusted to accommodate the completion of the full fall season.

The philosophy of Junior Gold Hockey has always been founded in opportunity.  Some younger players (freshmen and sophomores) use the JG16 experience to continue their development with an eye to playing for their respective Varsity/Junior Varsity High School teams in the future.  Many of these same players find a home with JG Hockey and end up eventually playing for one or both of the JGB or JGA teams - sometimes for a total of 3 or 4 years.  There are other players who come to the JGA team after their high school hockey experience has ended.  These are often Juniors and Seniors looking to continue to play hockey looking for a positive team involvement that compliments their overall high school athletic experience.

Notable for the 2024-2025 season is the potential for the number of teams to be adjusted, especially if there are not enough players interested in playing.  The JGA team is rostered with the ‘best’ players - oftentimes, regardless of age, or grade. The JG16 team typically rosters freshmen and sophomores.  The JGB team is the third option for players.  It is imperative that at least one goaltender is available for each team.  If there are only 2 teams established, the plan is to have a JGA and JG16 team.  

Preseason skates/clinics will be held on Sundays on October 20, and 27, and November 3, and 10.  Players are encouraged to also participate in their school Captains’ practices and high school hockey tryouts.

Please contact Bill McCarthy (bmccarthy1119@gmail.com) with any questions.

More details to follow.