Tryouts & Registration
Everything you need to know to join the Valley Forge Minutemen
Tryouts for the Valley Forge Minutemen are held once per year and follow the official Tier I timeline set by the Atlantic District. All new and returning players must register for tryouts to be evaluated for a roster spot in the upcoming season.
Tier I rosters are limited and competitive. Not every player who attends tryouts will be offered a spot, and offers are made based on what each team needs to compete at this level.
Tryout timing and eligibility information can be found here: AAHA Tryout Dates
If tryouts have concluded, please contact vfcassist@yahoo.com to ask about any remaining openings at your player’s age level.
CURRENT TRYOUTS & REGISTRATION
NOW OPEN:
Tryouts for the 2026 – 2027 VFMM Season Is Now Open!
View the 2026-27 Minutemen Coaching Announcements
2026-27 Minutemen Coaching Announcements
18U
HC: Patrick Porkka, 267-684-9903
AC: Dylan Feoli, Tim Feoli
16U
Co-HC: John Geverd, 603-494-9391
Co-HC: Patrick Porkka, 267-684-9903
15U
Coming Soon
2012
HC: Toni Porkka, 484-529-0452
AC: Jimmy Lodge
2013
HC: Dany Doucet, 610-533-5880
AC: Matt McArdle, John Geverd, Tom Dwyer
2014
HC: Toni Porkka, 484-529-0452
AC: Jimmy Lodge
2015
Tim Feoli, 267-250-8502
AC: Matt Balke, Billy Latch
2016
Scott Malik, 267-257-5492
2017
HC: John Geverd, 603-494-9391
When Registering choose Register Activity (not Player)
The tryout process is straightforward and the same for all Tier 1 organizations.
HOW THE TIER I TRYOUT PROCESS WORKS:
The process is structured, consistent, and follows Atlantic District guidelines. Here is what families can expect for Minutemen tryouts:
- Official Dates Announced: Each October, the Atlantic District announces the official tryout window for all Tier 1 clubs. After those dates are confirmed, VFMM posts specific tryout dates and times for each birth year. These dates are posted on our website and social media pages in January or February each year after our VFMM tryout schedule is finalized.
- Tryout Registration Opens: After dates are confirmed, VFMM opens online registration for a limited time. Registration is strictly for tryout participation and is based on a player’s birth year.
- Arrive for Tryouts: Players check in and take the ice for tryouts. At arrival, each player will receive a numbered jersey to wear for tryouts.
- On-Ice Tryouts: Players are evaluated (sometimes over multiple sessions) using a mix of skill drills, small area games, and scrimmages. Coaches and evaluators look at skating, puck control, compete level, hockey sense, and coachability, along with how players handle the pace and expectations of Tier I hockey.
- Team Selection & Offers: By the final tryout session, staff review evaluation notes and build rosters. Offers are then extended to selected players. Because Tier I hockey is selective, not all players who attend tryouts will receive an offer.
- Roster Acceptance: Families who receive an offer are expected to accept and complete the required initial payment by the stated deadline. If an offer is not accepted within that timeframe, the roster spot may be offered to another player.
- Season Kickoff: Once a spot is accepted, families receive details on registration, payment terms, and pre-season expectations. Coaches follow up with players and parents as the group prepares for the upcoming season.
Tryouts typically take place in March or April and set rosters for the full season ahead, in line with AYHL, AAHA, and USA Hockey rules for Tier I.
SEASON TIMELINE
Here’s a general look at how the year flows for Minutemen teams:
March–April: Tryouts & Roster Selection
May–June: Season Prep
July: Off-Season Training & Pre-Season Skates (lighter month for most teams)
August–March: Regular Season & Playoffs
Exact dates may vary each year—for any questions please reach out to us at vfcassist@yahoo.com.
AGE GROUPS & LEVELS
The Minutemen follow the guidelines set by the Atlantic Youth Hockey League (AYHL) and Atlantic Amateur Hockey Association (AAHA) for all Tier I teams. AAHA competition begins at 10U.
Here’s the structure you’ll see reflected in tryouts and team placements:
These divisions guide how tryouts are scheduled across the league and how teams compete throughout the season, including eligibility for District Championships and USA Hockey Nationals.
USA HOCKEY REGISTRATION
All players must register with USA Hockey each season before participating in tryouts or team activities. If your player is already registered for the current season, that number is valid through August.
If not, you’ll need to complete or renew your registration at usahockey.com before tryouts.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Before You Register
How do I know which tryout to register for?
Minutemen teams are organized strictly by birth year, following AAHA and USA Hockey guidelines. Register for the session that matches your player’s birth year so they’re evaluated with the correct group from the start.
What’s the difference between VFC and the Minutemen?
Both programs are based at Oaks Center Ice, but they serve different levels of play.
Minutemen is the Tier I AAA program — the highest level of youth hockey in the region. VFC is the Tier II program, designed for strong competitive players who aren’t skating at the Tier I pace yet. Families should register for the program that aligns with their athlete’s current level and goals.
When will we be notified if we make a team?
Rosters are selected and players are notified by the end of the last tryout session. If your player is offered a roster spot, you will have a set deadline to accept or decline the position.
How do I know if my player is ready for Minutemen?
Tier I hockey requires pace, discipline, and consistency. Players who are ready for this level usually show:
- Strong skating and puck skills
- The ability to think and compete at speed
- Steady habits — showing up, working hard, and staying coachable
- A drive to be pushed and developed in a high-demand environment
If your player performs well within Tier II or other competitive leagues, consistently stands out, or actively seeks higher-level challenge, they’re likely ready for a Minutemen evaluation. Ultimately, readiness is determined at tryouts — that’s where coaches see if an athlete can compete at the Tier I standard.
What if my player doesn’t make the team?
Not making a Tier I roster doesn’t close any doors. Players develop at different rates, and movement between programs is common. If your player isn’t selected for Minutemen, they are often invited to attend VFC (Tier II) tryouts. Many athletes continue building skills at Tier II and return to compete for a Tier I spot later.
Do returning players need to register for tryouts?
Yes. Every roster is built fresh each year, and every player — returning or new — earns their spot based on their current performance.
What is the Player Agreement?
The Player Agreement outlines expectations and commitments for playing with the Minutemen, including financial and conduct guidelines. If your player is offered a Minutemen roster spot, you’ll be provided a copy of the Player Agreement when you receive your offer.
Will I know who my coach is before tryouts?
Yes. Coaching for the upcoming season is always determined prior to tryouts. Once coaching announcements are publicized they will be posted at the top of this page.
How are players evaluated?
Coaches look for athletes who can handle the pace, habits, and expectations of Tier I hockey. Evaluations are based on what matters at this level — not just raw skill, but how a player carries themselves when the game moves fast.
We focus on:
- Skating and edges — speed, balance, and control
- Puck skills under pressure — not just stickhandling in space, but making plays when it’s tight
- Hockey sense — positioning, reads, awareness
- Competitiveness — how hard a player works in battles, in transitions, and in recovery
- Consistency and effort — showing up the same way every rep
- Coachability — attitude, responsiveness, body language
Coaches watch how players think, compete, and respond, not just how they look in a single drill. Effort matters, habits matter, and the way a player approaches the session matters just as much as skill.
What happens after I accept a roster spot?
Once you accept, you’ll log in to the Parent Portal to view payment details and submit your first payment. Your coach will then reach out with next steps, and your player will be added to their TeamSnap roster for ongoing communication.
If we can’t attend all tryout dates, can our player still be considered?
Whenever possible, players should attend all scheduled sessions. If you have a conflict, email the VFMM Hockey Director (Toni Porkka) in advance. Players are expected to attend at least one session to be evaluated.
What’s the difference between Major and Minor teams?
At the Tier I level, each birth year has two teams:
- Minor — first-year players at that age group
- Major — second-year players who have already competed at that level
Both teams compete in the Atlantic Youth Hockey League (AYHL). Major teams at 12U are eligible for Atlantic District play, while 13-Pure teams and all older age levels compete as National-bound teams, with advancement based on results within AYHL play against other Atlantic District teams.
Do goalies go through a separate evaluation process?
Yes. Goalie tryouts for Minutemen happen separately and will be listed as such in the tryout registration details. For any goalie-specific tryout questions, please contact us at vfcassist@yahoo.com.
What does the commitment look like for a Tier I team?
Tier I is a significant step up from Tier II in both time and intensity. Families can expect:
- Multiple on-ice practices each week
- Off-ice training sessions
- A full AYHL schedule plus showcases and tournaments
- Regional and possible national travel, especially at 14U and above
- A workload that mirrors the expectations of high-performance hockey
The structure prepares athletes for junior, prep, and college pathways, and it requires consistency from both players and families. The players who thrive here are the ones who want this level of commitment.
NEED ADDITIONAL HELP?
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