Okay, so I wanted to get into hockey recruiting, and I figured I’d share my whole messy process. It’s been a wild ride, so buckle up!
Getting Started (and Feeling Lost)
First, I started by just Googling everything I could. “Hockey recruiting,” “best hockey showcases,” “how to get noticed by scouts”… you name it, I searched it. I ended up with a million tabs open and feeling even more confused than when I started.
I realized I needed a plan. So, I grabbed a notebook and started jotting down everything: my stats, my strengths, my weaknesses (ugh, those were hard to write), and any tournaments or showcases I knew about.
Building a “Profile” (Whatever That Means)
Next, everyone kept saying I needed a “hockey profile.” Sounded fancy. Basically, it’s just a summary of you as a player. I put together something that looked like this:
- Name: My Name
- Position: Forward (or whatever your position is)
- Height/Weight: My height and weight
- Current Team: My team
- Stats: Goals, Assists, etc. (from the current season)
- Contact Info: My email and phone number (and my coach’s, too)
It’s not perfect, but it was a start.
Showcases and ID Camps… Oh My!
Then came the scary part: actually getting in front of scouts. I signed up for a few showcases and ID camps. These are basically events where you play in front of college and junior hockey scouts.
I spent a lot to apply for serveral events. The cost varies a lot.
At the events, I just tried to play my best. I focused on working hard, being a good teammate, and showcasing my skills. Honestly, it was nerve-wracking, but also kind of exciting.
The Waiting Game (and More Googling)
After the showcases, it was mostly just…waiting. I kept playing my regular season games, kept working on my skills, and kept emailing coaches to express my interest in their programs.
I also spent a lot of time on hockey forums and websites, trying to learn more about the different leagues and teams. It’s a whole world out there, and it takes time to figure it all out.
Still in Progress…
So, that’s where I’m at now. Still working, still learning, still hoping. It’s definitely a process, and it’s not always easy. But I’m putting in the effort, and hopefully, it’ll all pay off in the end. I am still trying to find out how to improve myself everyday, I believe I will get what I want eventaully. Wish me luck!
