This year, the NYHDP began much earlier than in the previous years. Student-hockey players from all Nunavik villages have participated in regional tryout sessions in Kuujjuaq since the middle of September. Our objective was to have the teams selected in four categories by the end of November. Students from age 8 to 17, Atoms, Peewees, Bantams and Midgets, have been involved in these tryout sessions. We had planned two tryout sessions for the Atoms and Peewees and one for the Bantam and Midget in order to be ready for hockey tournaments after Christmas which will take place in Lévis, Québec, L'Ancienne-Lorette and Blainville. We achieved our objective, as of November 28, since one team has been selected for each age category.

While at the tryouts, the players do not give up their student life. In fact, in the morning and in the afternoon they go to school. At the beginning of this school year the School Board sent a letter to all schools to encourage participation of students in the NYHDP. The success of the NYHDP  depends on collaboration between the many partners in the program. One essential element is that student-hockey players continue to be taught academics while a special emphasis is put on life values and attitudes necessary to be a good citizen and a strong team player.