getting pro camp invites

Question
I am currently the starting goaltender for an NCAA DIII University in the ECAC Northeast Conference. My question is i want to continue to play at the pro level after my college career, how do I get invites to the pro camps that are held in the summer.I have very good stats and was the rookie of the year in 2009 and then the following season the goalie of the year in 2010. This has been my life long dream to play at the pro-level. Thank You

Answer
Matthew,

Thanks for writing.  Well, first, please do not take this the wrong way.  What I'm about to tell you is just from experience.  Must Scouts look at Major Junior levels and NCAA Div 1 only.  NCAA Division III is more along the lines of an ACHA league.  However, the reason why I say this is because I have several scouts that are friends and they will not even look at you unless you are playing in the highest leagues (NCAA Div I and Major Juniors which include USHL).

However, there is a 30% chance that you can still make it.  But you will have to do your home work.  First, I recommend that you check out all of the league (AHL, CHL, ECHL...etc) that you would like to go into and see which teams are hurting.  Check out the stats of each goalie.

Then, I recommend that you contact each coach that has a sieve for a goalie and tell them that you are their man.  Send them all of your information that you can including video links if you have them.  Okay, so right about now you are saying..."how in the hell do I go about contacting them?"  Simple!

You need to get yourself a Linked-in account.  It is a web site where ALL the NHL, CHL, AHL, WHL (etc) hang out.  Now, I recommend that you set-up your account.  Then, send me an invitation to become part of my network.  I have about a 1000 contact in the hockey industry.  Then, once I accept you into my network, it is going to give you the ability to contact all of my contacts.  I would recommend starting with the semi-pro level teams first and then go up to the big ones.

Ask each coach for a chance to attend their "Free Agent" camp.  Tell them that you can help the team out because you are a team player and that you would be an asset to the team.  Then tell him about your stats.  Now contact everyone on my contact list that has anything to do with scouting, agents, or coaches....you never know.

Let me know how things turn out.
Rob Lopez - CEO / Commissioner
Pass the Puck, Inc. / University Ice Hockey League - Mexico
www.passthepuck.net / www.toroshockey.com.mx