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OJHL – Markham Royals – TRYOUT INTELLIGENCE REPORT

🔥 ELITE TRYOUT INTELLIGENCE REPORT

🧠 QUICK TAKE

👉 Overall Opportunity: 🟡 MODERATE
👉 Estimated Open Spots: 4–6
👉 Difficulty: MODERATE–HIGH

Bottom Line:
Markham shows meaningful youth already on the roster, including 2008s and a 2009, which is a major clue that future openings are already being contested internally. This is not a hard-entry fortress, but it is also not as open as raw turnover might make it look.

📊 ROSTER BREAKDOWN

🥅 GOALTENDERS

Birth YearCountMeaning
20050–1Aging out (not part of next season)
20060–1Veteran returner
20070–1Core returners / competition
20080–1Incoming pressure (real impact)
20090Future pipeline
Not Provided0Likely AP / depth

Projected Net Open Spots: 0–1
This does not project as a wide-open goalie situation.

🛡️ DEFENSE

Birth YearCountMeaning
20051–2Aging out (not part of next season)
20062–3Veteran returners
20072–3Core returners / competition
20081Incoming pressure (real impact)
20090Future pipeline
Not Provided0Likely AP / depth

Projected Net Open Spots: 1–2
There is some turnover, but the returning structure still controls much of the blue line.

🎯 FORWARDS

Birth YearCountMeaning
20052–3Aging out (not part of next season)
20062–3Veteran returners
20074–5Core returners / competition
20082Incoming pressure (real impact)
20091Future pipeline
Not Provided0Likely AP / depth

Projected Net Open Spots: 2–3
There is turnover, but a visible 2008/2009 layer means not all of that future space is truly open to outsiders.

🚨 POSITION REALITY

🥅 GOALIE

👉 Opportunity: 🔴 LOW–🟡 MODERATE
👉 Difficulty: HIGH

  • limited visible turnover
  • some returning control still matters
  • no sign this is a full reset

Blunt Truth:
This is not the easiest goalie target in the league.

🛡️ DEFENSE

👉 Opportunity: 🟡 MODERATE
👉 Difficulty: HIGH

  • some confirmed turnover exists
  • 2006/2007 structure still controls much of the unit
  • incoming pressure reduces clean outside access

Blunt Truth:
A defenseman can get in here, but only if he already looks capable of handling junior pace and structure.

🎯 FORWARD

👉 Opportunity: 🟡 MODERATE
👉 Difficulty: MODERATE–HIGH

  • turnover creates openings
  • returning forwards still shape the group
  • 2008 and 2009 players are already part of the competitive map

Blunt Truth:
Forward is the best entry path, but it is more crowded than the turnover total suggests.

🧠 WHAT THIS ACTUALLY MEANS FOR YOUR PLAYER

🥅 GOALIE

This is not where I would send a goalie hoping for an easy look. He needs to be ready right away.

🛡️ DEFENSE

There is a path here, but it is for a defenseman who can already play controlled, reliable hockey at pace.

🎯 FORWARD

This is the more realistic path in, but parents need to understand that some future spots are already being consumed internally by younger players.

📉 TRUE OPPORTUNITY BREAKDOWN

PositionProjected Net Open SpotsReality
Goalies0–1Tight
Defense1–2Real but pressured
Forwards2–3Best path, still competitive

💣 REALITY CHECK

👉 Markham is not a true opportunity team.
👉 But it is also not one of the league’s hardest-entry teams.
The better read is balanced opportunity with an active youth layer already taking up part of the future roster space.

🧠 PLAYER FIT MODEL

🔥 HIGH PROBABILITY

  • Strong AAA players
  • Junior-ready defensemen
  • Forwards who can play fast and fit a role immediately

⚠️ BUBBLE

  • Good players who need a strong camp
  • Players with skill but inconsistent pace

❌ LOW PROBABILITY

  • Development players
  • Players needing major adjustment time
  • Players relying on effort without pace

📊 FINAL DECISION SCORECARD

FactorRating
Opportunity🟡
Competition🟡
Difficulty🟡–🔴
Risk🟡–🔴

🔒 FINAL VERDICT

👉 Markham is a balanced-entry team with forward-side opportunity, but more internal pressure than parents will assume.
The clearest outside access appears to be forward first, defense second.

https://www.markhamroyals.com/royals-staff

https://thehockeyresource.com/hockey-tryout-tips-for-parents/

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