Month: April 2021

In this series on amateur hockey scouting, we compiled responses from 20 different hockey scouts and coaches that scout representing NHL, OHL, CJHL and NCAA teams about their unique job. Many wished to remain anonymous, which we allowed in order to get more candid responses to our questions.

These hockey scouts come from varying backgrounds, ranging from former players — from the NHL, junior and college ranks — to former coaches, including some with limited hockey playing experience. Believe it or not, there is even a former referee. Some have been a hockey scout for over 30 years and others only a couple.

In talking to hockey scouts for this series, it is clear that they all have stories of finding particular players or seeing late bloomers blossom. It’s no wonder then that the advice most scouts offered to hockey parents centred around patience and enjoying each and every moment of the journey. 

One CHL coach said, “Don’t rush the process and understand that your son/daughter are the one driving the bus, not you! Support your children in every way imaginable but be a parent first and always. Please do not put sport ahead of all other life priorities.” 

“Do not get caught up with the “right path” because there is none,” another NCAA coach said. “I’ve seen 14 year olds considered NHL locks that never make it and I’ve seen 19 year olds that were told they could never play Division 1 hockey make the NHL.”

“Have your kids do what they love, support their goals and enjoy the ride. “ 

A CHL scout/coach said, “Players develop at different rates and in different settings. To improve, a kid needs to play. Minutes are more important than the level or league they play at. Development requires teaching thus the importance of coaching can never be overlooked.”

Finally, the scouts were asked if they offer advice to hockey parents and if it bothers them when someone at the rink asks questions?

One scout said, “Absolutely not. I enjoy talking to the parents and spectators, but wait until the end of a period or the end of the game.  If you see me and you have a question, I always like to talk about hockey and most scouts would feel the same.”

In this series on amateur hockey scouting, we compiled responses from 20 different hockey scouts and coaches that scout representing NHL, OHL, CJHL and NCAA teams about their unique job. Many wished to remain anonymous, which we allowed in order to get more candid responses to our questions.

These hockey scouts come from varying backgrounds, ranging from former players — from the NHL, junior and college ranks — to former coaches, including some with limited hockey playing experience. Believe it or not, there is even a former referee. Some have been a hockey scout for over 30 years and others only a couple.

It is not hard to find the next Connor McDavid. Everyone who has seen even a little bit of hockey can usually pick out a generational superstar.

Scouts just don’t look for the best players, often they earn their money by finding the players that best fit with the identity of their organization. So how do they know what to look for?

“In my experience, the good organizations provide specific criteria for their scouting staffs.” said one former NHL and now CHL coach. “Teams will usually rank the various skills in order of importance to their organization (i.e. skating, skill, sense, size, compete level). Each team will have slight differences in preferences but these rankings become an essential element when building your draft list.” 

Former NHL and current OHL Scout Mark Seidel of North American Central Scouting echoed this sentiment.

“The best example of this has been the Soo Greyhounds from when Kyle Dubas was there,” Seidel said. “They wanted to play a quick puck possession, skill game without a huge reliance on size or toughness. The staff went out and drafted that type of player that fit that style …”

Analytics helps with some of that decision-making. Certain teams have placed a greater emphasis on analytics than others in recent years, but the consensus is that the analytics provided are just another tool utilized by scouts and team management to evaluate players. 

“Analytics provide a tool for greater in depth player analysis but cannot be the sole criteria. It is a tool to create a tangible case to support the “eye test” and to verify the criteria rankings,” said one scout. “Conversely, analytics provides data that forces all scouts to reassess certain evaluation processes and criteria.

“Sometimes what you see in a player does not actually materialize on the ice in a consistent manner.” 

Mistakes are made and every tool is needed by the scouting community to mitigate the risk of a wrong evaluation in scouting.

The hardest part of the job is not picking the best players in the moment but how those players will project out. The business of evaluating teenagers is an inexact science and a very difficult task. Consensus among all of the scouts is that to look at a 15-year-old kid and project out to how good they will be at 19 or 20, or projecting a 18 year old kid out to guess how they will be at 22 or 23 is the most difficult aspect of the job.  

Character, upside, hockey IQ maturity and intelligence are all key factors only discovered through thorough ground work and multiple views of a player.

“I guess that is one of my pet peeves,” said one OHL scout. “There are a number of media scouting lists or Internet pundits that put out lists and unfortunately they haven’t put in the time to truly evaluate players. Parents get wrapped up by these sources of information. Even the well known media types that focus on the NHL draft are not seeing the players as often as we do.” 

One NHL scout went on to say, “That is the biggest mistake made by scouts. You cannot listen to outside influences. You cannot walk into a rink with a preconceived notion about a player because you may miss something or miss someone else.” 

Another scout said, “We must battle biases and stick to factual evidence. Too often we see scouting with your ears rather than your eyes.”  

Mark Seidel echoed those comments, “I despise when you hear scouts say that a kid is a bad kid or has character issues. Unless I have personal knowledge of an incident I discount it. Do your own research and make your own evaluation.”

All of these statements speak to the need for scouts to form their own opinions. 

“I’ve been at the draft table and had to fight for a player that I believed in,” another scout said. “We really stick our necks out if it is a player that can be a difference maker, but you have to spend the time (evaluating the player) to be sure before you do that.”

Northern Alberta Xtreme

Location: Edmonton
Head Coach: Jason Stewart

About The Program: The Northern Alberta Xtreme (NAX) was launched in 2013 by Jason Stewart. Initially, the program consisted of just one team, the Female Midget Preps. But as the program began to expand, more teams were added to meet the demands at each level. In 2015, the Elite 15s team was added, winning the league title in their first season. The following season would see the launch of the Male Midget Prep team, while the Female Midget Preps would join them in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League (CSSHL). In 2017-18, the Male Bantam Prep team was added, bringing the program to its current status of four teams competing in the CSSHL.

Notable Alumni: Luke Prokop, Michael Benning, Carter Savoie, Ethan Edwards, Connor McClennon.

For More Information: https://www.naxhockey.com/

Calgary Edge

Location: Calgary
Head Coach: James Poole

About The Program: Founded in 1999, the Edge School offers training in dance, golf, hockey, soccer, figure skating, basketball, and a flex program for students who would like to pursue a sport other than those currently offered. Edge follows a three-sphere philosophy – academics, athletics and character development of students – which aims to prepare students for either post secondary education or a career in their chosen sport.

Notable Alumni: Tyler Myers, Matt Dumba, Taro Hirose, Thomas Hickey, Jake Bean.

For More Information: https://edgeschool.com/

Okanagan Hockey Academy

Main Location: Penticton, B.C.
Head Coach: Craig Bedard

About The Program: The Okanagan Hockey Group was founded by Larry Lund in 1963. The primary focus of the Okanagan Hockey Academy is to promote the long-term development of each of their athletes in the classroom, on the ice, and in the community. Putting young, motivated people in a structured environment, surrounded by a world class staff and support system, they believe allows them to deliver a consistent message and value system. They hold their student athletes accountable on their efforts, attention to detail, and above all their attitude. The Okanagan Hockey Group has expanded its reach in recent years, opening Academies in Edmonton and Whitby, Ont.

Notable Alumni: Curtis Lazar, Joe Hicketts, Michael Rasmussen.

For More Information: https://www.okanaganhockey.com/

Rink Hockey Academy

Location: Winnipeg/Kelowna, B.C.
Head Coach: Rob Smith (Winnipeg)/Shae Naka (Kelowna)

About The Program: Offering programs in both Winnipeg and Kelowna, the Rink Hockey Academy provides competition for four teams – U15 Prep, U16 Prep, U18 Prep and U18 Female Prep, all of which compete in the CSSHL. The RHA student-athletes’ school day will be modified to allow maximum time for school and training needs. The teams will travel and compete mostly outside the province at the highest levels on both sides of the border during the full school year. School-board appointed team liaisons ensure players meet minimum standards and academic readiness for post secondary applications and career choices.

Notable Alumni: Justin Schultz, Seth Jarvis, Matthew Thiessen.

For More Information: https://www.rinkhockeyacademy.ca/

Burnaby Winter Club

Location: Burnaby, B.C.
Head Coach: Mike Santorelli

About The Program: The Burnaby Winter Club (BWC) was founded on May 29, 1956 as the Burnaby Curling Club and incorporated under the Societies Act of the Province of British Columbia. On April 18, 1958 the Club changed its name to reflect the multi-sport dynamics of the activities at the time. It became the Burnaby Winter Club and its constitution was amended to include hockey and figure skating. Over more recent years, with the success of the Vancouver Canucks, hockey has become the predominant sport at the club.

Notable Alumni: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Mat Barzal, Karl Alzner, Jack McIlhargey, Cliff Ronning, Paul Kariya, Chris Joseph, Glenn Anderson.

For More Information: https://www.burnabywinterclub.com/