January 30

by Jeff Lynt

Hockey scouts play a critical role in identifying and tracking the best young talent in the game. The goal is to find players who can help their teams win and make a positive impact on the ice. 

Scouts are not just focused on statistics; advanced and box score stats, are just one tool in the evaluation process. Scouts evaluate a player's overall play, including their positioning, decision-making, hockey IQ, work ethic, and other factors that contribute to success in the sport. The goal of scouting is to identify players who have the potential to play at the next level, and to do this, scouts must have a well-rounded understanding of a player's abilities and tendencies on the ice. Ultimately, scouts are focused on identifying players who have the combination of talent, drive, and determination to succeed at the highest levels of the sport.

The Scouting Process

Being scouted by a hockey team is the goal of many amateur players, and the process of scouting is crucial to the success of junior and professional hockey teams. Scouts are responsible for evaluating and scouting players in their assigned regions and reporting back to their team on their findings. Amateur hockey scouting is a critical aspect of the sport as it helps teams identify and recruit talented players who have the potential to become stars at the next level. The process of scouting is not an easy one, as scouts must watch countless hours of hockey, talk to a multitude of people, and keep track of a large amount of data in order to make informed decisions.

Scouts work for hockey teams and are assigned to specific regions. Their goal is to evaluate and scout the top players in their area, and report back to the team on their findings. The team then uses the information gathered by each scout to make informed decisions on player personnel. The collaboration between scouts allows the team to have a comprehensive view of the available talent and make the best decisions for their organization.

Scouts attend games and tournaments to evaluate players in live game situations, watch video footage of players, and talk to coaches, trainers, and other hockey personnel to gather information on their skills and character. They also build relationships with players, their families, and agents to get to know players better. In addition, scouts network with other scouts and hockey insiders to stay informed about emerging talent. They keep detailed reports and rankings on players to track their development over time and attend prospects camps and other events where players can be evaluated.

What are Scouts looking at?

As mentioned earlier, one of the most important aspects of scouting is finding players who have the potential to play well at the next level. Scouts look for a number of different attributes when evaluating players, including their physical abilities, hockey sense, and mental toughness. Physical abilities include speed, strength, and agility, while hockey sense refers to a player’s ability to anticipate and make quick and accurate decisions on the ice. Mental toughness and competitiveness are also important factors, as players need to be able to perform under pressure and maintain their focus even when the game gets tough.

Another important factor that scouts look for is work ethic and coachability. Scouts want to see players who are willing to put in the time and effort to improve their skills, and who are also receptive to feedback from their coaches. Players who have a strong work ethic and are coachable are more likely to succeed at the next level.

Character and attitude are also key factors that scouts take into consideration. Teams want to bring in players who are not only talented, but who also have a positive attitude and strong character. They want players who will be good role models both on and off the ice.

The intangibles

Mental toughness and competitiveness, work ethic, coachability, and character and attitude are all important aspects that scouts consider when evaluating a player. While statistics and performance are important, a player's overall demeanor on and off the ice can also be deciding factors for whether a team decides to sign or draft them. The bottom line is that scouts look for a well-rounded player who has a combination of both physical and mental attributes, as well as a good work ethic and positive character. 

Playing the right way. A 'Plus Player'.

Scouts are looking for players who play 'the right way' because these players typically help their team control the play and limit the opposing team's scoring chances. These are characteristics that are often associated with playing a sound, responsible and effective game. Playing the right way refers to a player's attitude and approach to the game, someone who is unselfish, team-oriented, and works hard. 

They look at how players play the game, and the little things they do on the ice that might not show up in the box score. A player who is a 'plus player' is someone who makes their team better when they are on the ice. They may not have the most goals or assists, but they play the game the right way and make their team more successful. 

More than just Goals and Assists

While statistics such as goals and assists can provide valuable information on a player's offensive capabilities, they are not the only thing scouts look at.  Scouts also utilize advanced stats, such as Corsi and Fenwick, to get a more in-depth understanding of a player's performance. These advanced metrics can provide insight into a player's possession skills, their impact on the game, and their ability to drive play in the offensive and defensive zones.. In-person observation and film analysis, along with a player's overall play, remain critical in the scouting process.

Compete Level

Compete level, also known as work ethic, is considered one of the most important attributes a player can have.  A player with a high compete level is willing to work hard and do whatever it takes to help their team win. This can include things like battling for loose pucks, blocking shots, and making the extra effort to get back on defense. A player with a high compete level can help their team control the play and limit the opposing team's scoring chances.  Compete level can be difficult to quantify, as it can be a combination of different factors such as physical ability, mental toughness, and attitude. However, it is often considered as a vital component of a player's performance and ability to drive the team's success.

Courage

In addition to the other qualities mentioned, former Boston Bruins general manager Harry Sinden highlights the importance of courage when scouting players. Courage can refer to a player's physical bravery on the ice, as well as their mental toughness and resilience. A player who shows courage is more likely to perform well under pressure, in difficult game situations, and be an asset to a team in clutch moments. A player who has the courage to fight in the corners and go in front of the net to make a play is often highly valued by scouts and teams. These types of players are often more likely to succeed at higher levels of the game, where the physical and mental demands are much greater. 

Location, location, location

One of the most important things for players to keep in mind is that being on a top team in a top region can greatly increase their chances of being spotted by scouts. Players who are playing on top teams in areas known for having talented players are more likely to catch the attention of scouts and have a greater chance of being scouted and recruited.  For players who are playing in a top U18 league or higher, it is very likely that there is a team scout assigned to report on them. It's important for players to understand that being noticed by scouts does not guarantee a path to the junior or professional level. The scouting process is just the first step in the long journey to becoming a professional hockey player. A player's performance, work ethic, and overall development will continue to be evaluated as they progress through their career. While playing on a top team can increase visibility, it's crucial for players to continue to develop their skills, work hard, and be dedicated to the sport if they hope to reach the professional level. 

In conclusion, 

Ultimately, scouts are looking for players who have the potential to be successful at the professional level, and it is important for amateur players to remember that there is more to being scouted than just being a top scorer. Mental toughness, competitiveness, work ethic, coachability, and character are also key factors in being scouted by a team and achieving success in professional hockey.

Here is a sample template that Scouts use for analysis of game by a prospect.

STEVEN STAMKOS

Team: Sarnia Sting

League: OHL

Position: Centre

Born: 2.7.90

Height: 5’11.7”

Weight: 176

Report Card:

Size/Strength Good

Skating Excellent

Shot/Scoring Excellent

Puckhandling Excellent

Hockey Sense Excellent

Leadership Excellent

Poise Excellent

Defense Good

Strengths

1. All of the above

2. Great offensive ability and instincts

Areas For Improvement

1. Needs to work on his play away from the puck

2. Improve Core strength

Skill:

Was recognized as the best stickhandler and voted as having the best shot in the OHL's annual Coaches Poll.

Scouting Report:

As the year progressed we began to really appreciate the skill and hockey sense that Stamkos offers. He's so dynamic. His skill level awareness on the ice and hockey sense are so much more advanced than all his peers. He is a quick skater blessed with incredible skill and gifted with brilliant on-ice vision. His outstanding play on the International scene coupled with the fact he kept elevating his game throughout the year makes him a solid prospect. Tremendous character, will fit in nicely at the NHL level.

NHL Potential:

1st line Centre, and if he continues to progress, he will become a star.

Style compares to: Joe Sakic

Year Team GP G A PTS PIM

07/08 Sarnia 61 58 47 105 88

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Jeff Lynt

Is a Head Scout with Elite Hockey Canada. He is a certified hockey scout with SMWW - Sports Management Worldwide. jeff.lynt@elitehockeycanada.com or jlynt@smww.com

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