swede

Question
I am 21 a LW player with NCAA Div 3 and I am a Swede.I have been playing hockey since I was 3 and attending now College
in USA.
I would like to proceed to a higher level and wonder how to go abt to a be recruited and if there any restriction from proceeding from Div3 to Div 1 or II.

Answer
Andy,

Thanks for writing.  You asked if there are any restrictions moving from Div III to Div I.  No, but the way to be noticed by scouts or agents is to stand out from the rest.  Now, I don't know what type of a player you are.  But logic would dictate that you have some skills because you started skating at the age of 3.  However, this is not a good indicator of how good of a skater you are.

Now, having said that, 80% of hockey is skating.  Not 80% of hockey is shooting.  Most hockey players only want to do one thing...shoot!  Here's a concept...anyone can shoot, neck even my grandma can shoot, god rest her soul.  But 90% of all players think that shooting is going to get them to the next level and...it will not!

So on that note, how does one get recognized for being a "GREAT" hockey player?  Skating!  In 1994, I saw a young hockey player that was 16 years old at the time and he was doing things that I have never seen hockey players do.  I told the young man, through an interpreter, that he was going to be in the NHL someday.  Laughed and smiled and said; "that would be impossible, because I am just a farm boy for the Ukraine!"  Today, is his first day competing for the Stanley Cup as he plays for the New Jersey Devils.  His name is Zubrus #8.

After I met him, his team went to Canada to play games in Montreal and someone, like me, said this kid was the real deal.  Two years later he was drafted to the Montreal Canadiens.  But the only thing he did was stand out in his skating and nothing else.

When you stand out in your skating (not shooting, not checking...etc)you will be noticed.  That's how you stand out.  But the problem is...NO ONE LIKES TO WORK ON THEIR SKATING!!!!!

The problem is, that's what scouts look for.  Can you skate at full speed with the puck and jump laterally to avoid the check and still control the puck?  He did!  Now, if you are really serious about getting to the next level, you will have to do one thing and one thing only this Summer.

Work on your power skating.  Now, I recommend two coaches for this and two coaches only.  One is located in Phoenix Arizona and his name is Boris.  The other one is located in Mexico City, his name is Brian.  Both have studied for years under the master coach who trained Zubrus.  Now, if you are serious about what it is that you want, I recommend that you go see one of them this Summer, both are having camps.

Let me know what you want to do.
Rob Lopez - Commissioner
University Ice Hockey League - Mexico