Category: Hockey

As young players move through the ranks of minor hockey and edge closer to their draft year, the same thought sits for many: ‘Where do I go after this year?’ 

For some, this is a motivating force that drives them to train harder on and off the ice, while leaving others with some feelings of anxiety and uncertainty if they go unnoticed. So what exactly is the key to moving forward, and are there any avenues for greater exposure?

At the higher ranks when players are in junior hockey, showcase camps are prominent throughout the hockey season and in the summer, where certain organizations host weekends of player development and competitive games. At most of these, collegiate and OHL scouts are invited to come and watch the talent, with their goal of picking up a few stand-out players who make the most of their weekend performance. The majority of these come at a cost of $200-$500, and picking your spots for entering the right showcase is critical so money isn’t wasted.

Unfortunately in minor hockey, showcase camps like these are slim to none, but that doesn’t mean recruiting isn’t occurring. While players and parents may not see it, there is always someone in the stands from an organization looking for talent. OHL and junior teams have designated scouts they send to league games throughout the season and across the province, constantly seeking out players ahead of the spring draft and spring junior camps. Scouting is quite high near the beginning of the season, when fresh talent is emerging and players are excited and energized to kick off their first few games with success. Early bird tournaments and Christmas tournaments are big recruiting grounds as well, since scouts have the ability to watch multiple teams play across the span of one weekend. 

The minor midget year is a big season for all players as they look forward to their opportunity to be drafted in the following spring. At this age group in AAA only, one of the few showcases and arguably the biggest one at the minor hockey level in Ontario is the OHL Cup. This tournament is hosted after playoffs end, and it features the top minor midget teams across the province as well as a couple teams from the United States. It is invitation and qualification-based, as you must be ranked in a certain position at the end of your season (pending on your league) in order to receive the invite. There are also ‘wild card’ invitations as well, where 10 teams outside of the invitees are matched up and play a single-game qualification to receive their tournament invite. The rules for qualifying for the wild card matchups differ across the leagues in Ontario. 

The OHL Cup is very heavily scouted, as there is an abundance of talent when looking at the players of the top teams in the province. Most scouts already have their primary list of players on their radar, but this tournament is a chance for some to move up the draft list if they have a stellar performance. It takes one solid week in front of the eyes of these scouts to make an impression, and there’s no better time to prove yourself when you’re up against some of the best players in your age group. It is safe to assume that every OHL team will be present during this week, as well as many NCAA Division 1 programs making the trip up north to seek out players for future scholarships. In terms of showcases at the minor hockey level, this is one that all players would definitely want their team to be in.

Another invite-only tournament is the OHL Gold Cup, hosted in the spring for minor midget players. 160 players are selected across all the Ontario minor hockey leagues, with each league building one or two teams depending on their player density. This tournament serves as a recruiting and scouting ground for Hockey Canada officials to evaluate players to be a part of Team Ontario, in which the team will go on to compete at the national level in various tournaments for the U17 categories. The selected players for Team Ontario will also go on to compete as one of three Canadian teams at the U17 World Hockey Challenge, an international competition where many scouts from all over the world will be present. While this event is primarily focused on scouting for global tournaments, having the opportunity to participate can put a player in front of many sets of eyes that could lead to greater networking, connections, and opportunities at higher levels in the future.

With these opportunities present at the minor midget level, many people might ask how their child can get noticed at a young age without access to these big showcase tournaments. The answer here is quite simple, and I’m sure it has been heard many times before: you need to CONSISTENTLY stand out above the rest. Sometimes, parents will try to find summer tournaments and camps to try and get their kid exposed to coaches, but at the end of the day it is up to them to perform and catch their attention. This comes from within the player, as they have to possess that desire and competitive nature to want to get better and be the best player they can be. It takes a certain spark or ‘wow’ factor to catch the attention of scout, and each player needs to find their own edge as they grow up and develop. While player development has seen tremendous growth over the years, there are a lot of kids out there who possess the technical skills to be great. It ultimately comes down to how a player is able to utilize those skills and craft their game to gain the attention of scouts as they grow up. If you’re good enough, the interest will come to you at the end of the day.

As young players move through the ranks of minor hockey and edge closer to their draft year, the same thought sits for many: ‘How do I get noticed by the next level?’ 

For some, this is a motivating force that drives them to train harder on and off the ice. Others — including parents — are often left with feelings of anxiety and uncertainty over whether then will go unnoticed. 

So what exactly is the key to moving forward, and what are the avenues for greater exposure?

At the higher ranks, when players are in junior hockey, showcase camps are prominent throughout the hockey season and in the summer, where certain organizations host weekends of player development and competitive games. 

At most of these camps, collegiate and OHL scouts are invited to come and watch the talent, who have the opportunity to make the most of their weekend performance. The majority of these showcase events cost between $200-$500 to enter, so picking the right showcase is critical so your money isn’t wasted.

Unfortunately in minor hockey, there aren’t nearly as many showcase camps like these in Ontario, but that at doesn’t mean recruiting isn’t occurring. 

While players and parents may not see it, there is always someone in the stands from an organization looking for talent. 

OHL and junior teams have designated scouts they send to league games throughout the season and across the province, constantly seeking out players ahead of the spring draft and  junior camps. 

Scouting is quite high near the beginning of the winter season, when fresh talent is emerging and players are excited and energized to kick off their first few games with success. Early bird tournaments and Christmas tournaments are big recruiting grounds as well, since scouts have the ability to watch multiple teams play across the span of one weekend. 

The U16 (minor midget) year is a big season for all players as they look forward to their opportunity to be drafted in the following spring. At this age group, one of the few showcases and arguably the biggest one at the  in AAA minor hockey level in Ontario is the OHL Cup. 

This tournament is hosted after playoffs end, and it features the top U16 teams across the province as well as teams from the United States. 

It is invitation and qualification-based, as you must be ranked in a certain position at the end of your season (pending on your league) in order to receive the invite. 

There are also ‘wild-card’ invitations as well, where 10 teams outside of the invitees are matched up and play a single-game qualification to receive their tournament invite. The rules for qualifying for the wild-card matchups differ across the leagues in Ontario. 

The OHL Cup is very heavily scouted, as there is an abundance of talent when looking at the players of the top teams in the province. 

Most scouts already have their primary list of players on their radar, but this tournament is a chance for some to move up the draft list if they have a stellar performance. 

It takes one solid week in front of the eyes of these scouts to make an impression, and there’s no better time to prove yourself when you’re up against some of the best players in your age group. 

It is safe to assume that every OHL team will be present during this week, as well as many NCAA Division 1 programs making the trip up north to seek out players for future scholarships. 

Hosted in the spring for minor midget players, another invite-only tournament is the OHL Gold Cup that sees 160 players selected from across all the Ontario minor hockey leagues, with each league building one or two teams depending on their player density. 

This tournament also serves as a recruiting and scouting ground for Hockey Canada officials to evaluate players to be a part of Team Ontario, which will go on to compete at the national level in various tournaments for the U17 categories. 

The selected players for Team Ontario will also compete as one of three Canadian teams at the U17 World Hockey Challenge, an international competition where many scouts from all over the world will be present. 

While this event is primarily focused on scouting for global tournaments, having the opportunity to participate can put a player in front of many sets of eyes that could lead to greater exposure and connections that may lead to opportunities at higher levels in the future.

In terms of showcases at the minor hockey level, these are the ones that all players would definitely want to be one of the participants.

With these opportunities present at the U16 level, many people might ask how their child can get noticed at a younger age than these big showcase tournaments allow. 

The answer here is quite simple — CONSISTENTLY stand out above the rest. 

Sometimes, parents will try to find summer tournaments and camps to get their player more exposure, but at the end of the day it is up to them to perform and garner attention. 

Players have to possess that desire and competitive nature to want to be the best player they can be. It takes a certain spark or ‘wow’ factor to catch the attention of scouts or coaches, and each player needs to find their own edge as they grow and develop. 

Player development has seen tremendous growth in hockey over the years and there are a lot of kids out there who possess the technical skills to be great. 

It ultimately comes down to how a player is able to utilize those skills and how well they demonstrate an understanding of the game that will gain the attention of scouts as they grow up. 

If you’re good enough, the interest will find you.

It’s tough enough getting our athletes up and out the door for early morning games, trying to feed them beforehand adds another layer of stress and challenges. Considering it takes about four hours for a full meal to completely digest, it’s safe to say our athletes aren’t going to wake up at 2 or 3 am just to eat. But, trying to practice or compete on an empty stomach isn’t effective either.

While a quick drive-thru donut or fast-food breakfast sandwich might be convenient, they’re typically laden in fat and sugar which will leave players feeling sluggish or experiencing an energy crash before the end of the game.

Eggs are another common choice, but remember, eggs contain protein and fat but no carbohydrates. Be sure to pair eggs with whole grain toast, fruit, or a bagel for their body’s main source of energy.

Since there’s likely only two to three hours between wake-up and game-time, opt for fuel that’s easily digestible and wait until after practice/game for slower digesting dairy and higher fat meats.

Which foods are good fueling options? Whether at home or on the road, give these ideas a try to fuel their game instead of merely getting through their game.

• Oatmeal with berries
• Half or full Dave’s Killer Bagel
• Breakfast “cookie”
• Strawberry chia seed muffin
• ½ peanut butter and jelly sandwich
• Crepe with berries and hazelnut spread
• Berries with small handful of almonds 
• Greek yogurt with granola 
• Pancakes/waffles topped with berries and Greek Yogurt

Reluctant breakfast eaters? Leftover pasta or half a chicken wrap are great options too!

Don’t forget about water! Rehydrating — especially after waking — is essential for reducing muscle cramping, increasing energy, and maintaining focus.

Questions about early morning fuel specifically for your athlete? Visit  RockPerformance.net.

When Shane Hoskin’s son Trevor asked his dad if he could tape a hockey stick faster than Tiktoker joeysofo, who had issued the Tape Job challenge on Tiktok, he gave one simple answer, “Yup.”

Claiming to be the fastest stick taper on the app, what joeysofo didn’t know was that, growing up, Hoskin worked at a sporting goods store called Four Seasons Sports in Belleville, Ont., for five years.

Their specialty … taping hockey sticks.

Hoskin grew up playing minor hockey in Belleville, where he was successful enough to be drafted into the Ontario Hockey League (OHL).

However, after a brief stint with the London Knights he returned home to attend school and find work. 

That’s how he wound up at Four Seasons Sports.

At the time, the store was run by brothers Ike and Taso Christopher. Their family still runs the store today. 

When a stick was purchased, one of the unique things the Christopher brothers did to entice customers was cut and then tape the stick in front of them at a fast pace. 

“When Ike and Taso did this, I kind of thought that was cool because the look on the kids’ faces were phenomenal. So, I always took old used tape they had in the back and I would practice,” said Hoskin, “I got to a point where I could do it.”

It turned out to be a good marketing technique for the store.

“As soon as you would tape a stick for a kid from say Oshawa, or Kitchener they would go back to their teammates and say ‘You should’ve seen these guys tape these hockey sticks,’ well the next thing you know we were sold out of hockey sticks,” said Hoskin.

After a day of taping sticks at the shop he would often leave with bandages on his fingers.

The “trick” he says, is keeping pressure between your finger and the inside of the tape roll, instead of letting the roll spin around your fingers. 

Other than that, Hoskin recommends having good stability at the base of the stick, so it doesn’t move around, good tape (he uses Howies), and practice.

However, a good tape job is not always about speed.

“I grew up with guys that would take twenty minutes to tape their stick just to make sure it’s perfect,” he added, “guys in the NHL all have their quirks and stuff like that so there’s a lot of personality in how you adopt it.”

Over 20 million people have now gotten a glimpse of Hoskin’s personality since the Tiktok of him destroying the Tape Job challenge went viral. 

@trevorhoskin34

#duet with @joeysofo I can’t tell who won? Rematch? #ew

♬ original sound – joey

Sporting a Red Deer sweater in the video, which has led to some people dubbing him Rick from Red Deer, though he is not sure why, Hoskin completed the tape job in under five seconds.

“I hadn’t taped a stick in over two years before he (Trevor) asked me, and that was my first try,” said Hoskin.

Sorry joeysofo, but it looks like the fastest hands in the north go to Rick from Red Deer, or rather Shane Hoskin.

Although his hockey playing career ended with the London Knights, Hoskin has since gone on to coach the Belleville Bearcats, where his daughter played, and the Napanee Raiders, who are a Junior hockey team in the Provincial Junior Hockey League (PJHL). 

Now a Zamboni driver, Hoskin was surprised by his overnight Tiktok notoriety.

“I taped it and my son posted it and then the next day we woke up and it’s at like 12 million views,” said Hoskin. 

Radio stations in Belleville began calling him and one asked if he knew how big it was to have a video rack up as many views as his did, “I said I have no clue, I don’t follow Tiktok,” said Hoskin. 

Admittedly Hoskin, 51, is still learning about the relatively new media platform. 

The video-sharing social networking app exploded in popularity in 2020 with its main users being people aged 10-19.

Hoskin’s son Trevor has since posted two more videos of his dad, one of him attempting the Tape Job challenge while blindfolded, and the other is titled Knob Edition, where Hoskin tapes the knob end of the hockey stick instead of the blade. 

It currently has over one million views.