Raiders Program (Red Circle Hockey Club)

What is the Raiders Program?

The Raiders program, offered alongside our house league, gives U9, U11, and U13 players the chance to compete at a higher level while still enjoying the house league experience. It’s designed for players who are ready for more challenges. Raiders teams play in a division above their age group during the Red Circle Hockey Club regular season—for example, the U11 Raiders compete in the U13 house league. In addition to regular season games, teams also participate in more tournaments, including travel and exhibition games with other local teams.

It’s an ideal next step for players looking to further develop their skills in a competitive, yet supportive environment.

Player Eligibility

All players registered in the Red Circle Hockey Club House League are eligible to participate in the Raiders program. Open tryouts will be held for any interested players. While players do not need to be registered in the house league to attend tryouts, they must be registered if they accept a spot on the team.

Each team may roster up to 15 skaters and 2 goaltenders. Final roster decisions, including the number of goaltenders, are made by the coaching staff based on team needs and player performance. The option to include affiliate players (AP), including goaltenders, is also available if deemed appropriate by the coaches.

Fees

There is an additional cost to participate on a Raiders team. For the 2025/2026 season, the estimated fee is approximately $1,050, which is in addition to standard house league registration fees.

Final costs may vary based on team fundraising, sponsorships, and other factors. Each player has the opportunity to secure sponsorship, with the first $250 raised applied directly toward reducing their fees—bringing the estimated total down to $800.

What You Get for Your Fees

The Raiders program offers an excellent, cost-effective way to experience more competitive hockey. In addition to everything included with the house league, players will also receive:

• An extra weekly full-ice practice
• Specialized skill development sessions
• Exhibition games with other local hockey teams
• Two jerseys
• A team jacket
• Entry fees for up to 3 tournaments
• ORHL insurance (required for all ORHL events)

Teams may also organize additional fundraising events to help cover extra costs like travel meals, hotel stays, and fun team-building activities!

Tournaments

In addition to the annual Red Circle Tournament (RCAT), Raiders teams typically participate in 2 to 3 additional tournaments throughout the season. These often include events hosted by teams in Barrie and Erin, as well as a local tournament in London hosted by us.

Participation in more than the 3 tournaments is optional and decided collaboratively by each team. In previous seasons, teams have also chosen to travel to destinations such as Buffalo, providing players with a memorable and rewarding experience beyond the regular season.

Tryouts

Tryouts for the U9, U11, and U13 Teams for the 2025/2026 season will take place at the Western Fair Arena. The tryout fee is $75 per player and includes two guaranteed ice times. Some players may be invited to a third session at the discretion of the coaching staff.

Spring

The Spring tryouts for the Raiders program are now complete. Our Program Director will be reaching out via email with your next steps—whether you've received an offer, are on the bubble, or have not been selected, thank you to everyone who participated.

Fall

Fall tryouts will only be held if additional players are needed to complete team rosters. Please check this page in late summer or early fall for updates on potential tryouts.

About Our Coaches

Our Raiders teams are led by volunteer coaches who love the game and genuinely enjoy helping kids improve and grow. Each coach has a background in hockey and puts in countless hours planning practices, organizing games, and building a team that feels like a family. They focus on skill development, encourage teamwork, and create a fun yet competitive atmosphere where players are challenged to push themselves and support one another. Above all, our coaches emphasize the importance of hard work, respect, and sportsmanship—values that guide everything they do on and off the ice.

U9 Head Coach: Robert Peters
U11 Head Coach: Chris Lees
U13 Head Coach: Andrew Earle