There are two theories on this issue. Theory #1 says to play hockey and continue to develop hockey skills on a yearly basis. Theory #2 says not to play spring hockey and play other sports to develop athleticism. People often ask us, should we be playing other sports or just focus on hockey?
In our opinion there is no problem with playing other sports during the spring and summer months. It might be beneficial to take some time off of hockey to reduce the chances of being burnt out. Some sports even help encourage athleticism and might even help develop faster reactions and skills. It’s recommend while playing other sports you work on at least one aspect of your game such as skating. You might even find that your chances of getting a scholarship increase as scouts are looking for athleticism and other sports do provide that. Playing sports whether hockey or other sports require conditioning, it might be wise to spend more time and money on conditioning.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Monday, March 22, 2010
How has hockey changed- from a scout’s point of view.
With all the changes in hockey has the game really changed? From a scout`s point of view, yes the game has changed, It has changed the way we do our jobs. The following list was scale on how we use to indentify players in order of what we were looking for:
1. Size
2. Character
3. Skills
4. Speed
5. Smarts
The following list is how we now indentify players in order of what we are looking for:
1. Speed
2. Smarts
3. Skills
4. Character
5. Size
From the two lists the major change is speed. You have to have speed now to play without speed your chances of playing a higher level is very limited. Everybody puts an emphasis on playing spring hockey, if you want to play a higher level we recommend to invest that money into a good power skating instructor. Even if you think you’re a good skater chances are you still need power skating, there is a reason even pros still go to power skating. Size is just not important as it use to be, teams can’t afford to have players that aren`t smart and quick. Look at the N.H.L or the A.H.L there is not a lot of players that can’t skate and that don’t have good skills. Back in the day, teams would be filled with big character players, it’s just not the case anymore, players, coaches and scouts have to adapt to these changes or they will be left behind.
1. Size
2. Character
3. Skills
4. Speed
5. Smarts
The following list is how we now indentify players in order of what we are looking for:
1. Speed
2. Smarts
3. Skills
4. Character
5. Size
From the two lists the major change is speed. You have to have speed now to play without speed your chances of playing a higher level is very limited. Everybody puts an emphasis on playing spring hockey, if you want to play a higher level we recommend to invest that money into a good power skating instructor. Even if you think you’re a good skater chances are you still need power skating, there is a reason even pros still go to power skating. Size is just not important as it use to be, teams can’t afford to have players that aren`t smart and quick. Look at the N.H.L or the A.H.L there is not a lot of players that can’t skate and that don’t have good skills. Back in the day, teams would be filled with big character players, it’s just not the case anymore, players, coaches and scouts have to adapt to these changes or they will be left behind.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Canada vs. USA Olympic hockey and how the Americans are catching up to the Canadians.
Welcome to our new blog. If you have any questions please fill out the form next to this post. Our first topic is Canada vs. USA Olympic hockey and how the Americans are catching up to the Canadians. Most of people we have talked from Canada where shocked by the American performance at the Olympics, however we weren’t. Several years ago, Hockey great Grant Stanbrook retired recruiter for the University of Maine (recruited Dustin Penner and Paul Kayria) talked at one of our seminars about how not to fear Europeans taking hockey opportunities away from Canadians but to fear the Americans. Today, Mr. Stanbrooks remarks are truer than ever. Why are the Americans catching Canadians in Hockey? Well here is what we have come with:
Americans are spending more money on hockey development and really building great programs
Americans are paying for good coaching in minor hockey, where as in Canada most coaches are not paid and most likely are a parent of a player on the team. Most coaches in the U.S. come with some type of professional/Jr. hockey background and have more experience and focus on development rather than just winning. Most ex-pro hockey players know what it takes to get to the next level having done it. They have through their careers built a good hockey network of people in the business which can be influential when needing information and opportunities. This in no way is a knock on the hard working volunteer /dad who has to sacrifice time and money to help kids, however not everything can be learned out of a book or taking coaching levels. Granted, not all ex-pro players make good coaches but it would be safe to say more ex-pro/Jr hockey players make better coaches than the others. The most common complaint from parents is the quality of coaches and lack of being to able to promote the player to the next level.
Americans are listening to knowledgeable people in hockey, where as in Canada hockey parents are making decisions without researching other options. One thing we have notice is that Americans are doing research before making hockey decisions and this is one of reason for creating this Blog.
Americans are spending more money on hockey development and really building great programs
Americans are paying for good coaching in minor hockey, where as in Canada most coaches are not paid and most likely are a parent of a player on the team. Most coaches in the U.S. come with some type of professional/Jr. hockey background and have more experience and focus on development rather than just winning. Most ex-pro hockey players know what it takes to get to the next level having done it. They have through their careers built a good hockey network of people in the business which can be influential when needing information and opportunities. This in no way is a knock on the hard working volunteer /dad who has to sacrifice time and money to help kids, however not everything can be learned out of a book or taking coaching levels. Granted, not all ex-pro players make good coaches but it would be safe to say more ex-pro/Jr hockey players make better coaches than the others. The most common complaint from parents is the quality of coaches and lack of being to able to promote the player to the next level.
Americans are listening to knowledgeable people in hockey, where as in Canada hockey parents are making decisions without researching other options. One thing we have notice is that Americans are doing research before making hockey decisions and this is one of reason for creating this Blog.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)