U16 AAA CAPS | Champions Hockey

u16 AAA fredericton caps

Selection Camp information is now available for the 2026-27 U16 AAA Fredericton Caps, open to 2010 and 2011 born players.

Selection Camp Schedule

Sunday, September 6
7:15–8:15 PM | Grant-Harvey NHL

Tuesday, September 8

8:30-10 PM | AUC

Friday, September 11
8:15–9:15 PM | Grant-Harvey Olympic

Saturday, September 12
7:00–8:00 PM | Grant-Harvey Olympic

Sunday, September 13

Exhibition Game vs. Moncton Thunderbirds
3:15 PM Greenfoot Energy 4-Plex

Team Selection by September 15

Team practices will begin immediately following selection, with practices scheduled for September 16 and 18 ahead of our season opener at home on September 20.

Players Attending U18 AAA Selection Camp

We know some players interested in U16 AAA will still be participating in the U18 AAA Selection Camp. With our season beginning September 20, we have had to begin our selection process earlier, but players will not be penalized for remaining in U18 camp.

Our coaches will attend U18 evaluations to ensure we have the opportunity to see players interested in U16 AAA. We encourage players to pursue the highest level available to them while still keeping the U16 AAA Caps as an option.

Registration

All players interested in being considered for the U16 AAA Caps should register for Selection Camp.

Registration requires a $10 deposit, which ensures players and families receive all Selection Camp information, scheduling details and updates.

U16 AAA CAps Team OVERVIEW

The U16 Fredericton Caps are built for players who are serious about their development and ready to take the next step in their hockey journey. Competing in the New Brunswick/Nova Scotia U16 league, our athletes are challenged every day in an environment that values accountability, work ethic, and long-term growth.

Led by Dax MacLean and Gabe Guertler, the U16 Fredericton Caps are an integral part of the Fredericton hockey development model, serving as a primary development pathway for athletes aspiring to compete at the U18 AAA level and beyond. Through high-level coaching, competitive play, and a consistent focus on individual development, players are challenged to build the skills, habits, and confidence needed to succeed at higher levels of the game.

Throughout the season, players compete against some of the top U16 teams in Atlantic Canada while representing the Fredericton Caps in the New Brunswick/Nova Scotia league. The team also participates in two of the region's premier events, the Monctonian and the Ice Jam, competing in the U16 AAA division. These experiences provide valuable opportunities for players to test themselves against elite competition while continuing to grow throughout the season.

What Players Can Expect

The U16 Fredericton Caps provide a high-performance environment designed to challenge athletes every day while preparing them for the next stage of their hockey careers. Players can expect:

High-Level Coaching led by Dax MacLean and Gabe Guertler, with an emphasis on individual development and detailed instruction.
Elite Competition in the New Brunswick/Nova Scotia U16 league, providing consistent, meaningful competition throughout the season.
Premier Tournament Experience at the Monctonian and Ice Jam, competing against many of Atlantic Canada's top U16 AAA programs.
Development-First Philosophy where improvement, accountability, and building complete hockey players remain the priority every day.
Preparation for Higher Levels through a structured approach that develops the skills, habits, and hockey IQ required to compete at the U18 AAA level and beyond.
Champions Hockey Resources including access to experienced instructors, specialized skill development opportunities, and a proven player development system that has helped athletes advance to junior, collegiate, and professional hockey.

Our Philosophy

Success at the U16 level is measured by much more than wins and losses.

Our coaching staff is committed to developing complete hockey players by emphasizing:

Individual skill development
Hockey IQ and decision making
Compete level and consistency
Character, accountability, and leadership
Habits that translate to success at the U18 AAA level and beyond

Every practice, game, and off-ice interaction is designed with long-term development in mind. Our goal is to help every athlete become a better skater, a smarter player, a stronger teammate, and a more confident competitor. By creating a challenging, supportive environment, we prepare players for the increasing demands of higher levels of hockey while fostering a lifelong commitment to continuous improvement.

Experienced Leadership

Few coaches in Atlantic Canada have the experience developing players at this age quite like Dax MacLean.

Dax previously led the Fredericton U16 AAA Caps program to an Atlantic Championship while helping numerous players advance to higher levels of hockey. He later continued that success with the U16 and U17 Champions Hockey Academy Eagles, earning a reputation for building highly competitive teams while maintaining an unwavering focus on individual player development.

Alongside Dax is Gabe Guertler, Head of Player Development for Champions Hockey. Together, they bring a modern coaching approach that combines technical skill instruction, attention to detail, game understanding, and a genuine commitment to helping every athlete reach their potential.

Coaching Staff

Dax MacLean

Dax MacLean is the Co-Founder of Champions Hockey and one of Atlantic Canada's most accomplished player development coaches. As a player, Dax enjoyed an outstanding career at the University of New Brunswick, where he captured a National Championship, was named AUS MVP, Most Sportsmanlike Player, a First Team All-Canadian, and remains the program's all-time leading goal scorer.

Since founding Champions Hockey in 2007, Dax has helped develop thousands of athletes while coaching successful AAA, academy, and high-performance teams throughout Atlantic Canada. His coaching philosophy centers on long-term player development, creating an environment where athletes are challenged, supported, and prepared for success at every stage of their hockey careers.

Gabe Guertler

Gabe Guertler serves as Head of Player Development for Champions Hockey and brings extensive high-level playing and coaching experience to the Fredericton Caps program. A former Team USA player, Gabe has established himself as one of Atlantic Canada's most respected on-ice instructors through his attention to detail, ability to connect with athletes, and commitment to individual development.

Working with players from grassroots hockey through AAA, junior, collegiate, and professional levels, Gabe emphasizes skating mechanics, skill execution, hockey IQ, and accountability. His approach helps athletes build the habits, confidence, and consistency needed to continue progressing throughout their hockey careers.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible to play u16 aaa caps?

Players born in 2010 and 2011 are eligible to play U16 AAA Caps.

DO I HAVE TO ATTEND U18 AAA ID CAMP TO ATTEND U16 AAA?

No. The U16 AAA Fredericton Caps ID Camp is open to all eligible 2010 and 2011-born players, regardless of whether they attend the U18 AAA ID Camp. We recognize that every athlete's path is different and respect the decisions players and families make as they explore the opportunities that are the best fit for them.

Why is the U16 AAA selection camp starting later than usual?

We recognize that many players born in 2010 and 2011 will be attending the Fredericton U18 AAA Caps Selection Camp. To give those athletes every opportunity to pursue that path, the U16 Fredericton Caps will not begin our selection process until after the U18 AAA roster has been finalized.

As a result, our selection camp will be shorter than a traditional tryout process, allowing us to finalize our roster and begin the season as quickly as possible.

When will the ID Camp begin?

We anticipate beginning our U16 AAA Identification Camp in mid-September, following the completion of the Fredericton U18 AAA selection process.

To help us accurately plan for the selection camp, we ask that all players who are considering the U16 Fredericton Caps register for the Identification Camp with a $10 registration fee. This allows our coaching staff to understand the number of athletes interested in the program while giving players the flexibility to attend the U18 AAA selection process first.

When is the remaining selection camp fee due?

Players who continue into the U16 AAA Selection Camp will be asked to pay the remaining $115 selection camp fee.

If you earn a spot with the Fredericton U18 AAA Caps, no additional payment is required beyond the initial $10 Identification Camp registration fee.

Will attending the U18 AAA Selection Camp affect my opportunity to make the U16 team?

No. We have intentionally structured our timeline so players can pursue a position with the U18 AAA team first without impacting their opportunity to be evaluated for the U16 Fredericton Caps. Our goal is to provide every athlete with the opportunity to compete at the highest level that is the best fit for their development.

Where will the team practice and play?

We are currently working with local arena partners to finalize our ice schedule.

Our expectation is that team activities will primarily take place at facilities within the City of Fredericton, Tri-County, and Oromocto. A finalized schedule will be shared with players and families once ice allocations have been confirmed.