try-out
Question
hi mr. martial I played triple-a hockey from 02-06 from 07-08 I played in the sr. chowder cup in boston in 08 I was drafted in the secound round for a single-a pro team in the all american hockey league but the team folded Im looking to play semi-pro or proffesional how would I do that thank you nicolas vertucci
Answer
I'm a big believer in ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE... so if you have the heart and LOVE the PROCESS to get there -- in my opinion you DO have a chance!
You will obviously have to work your way up ... pay your dues...
Here are some links for ya: (Some may have expired - so you may have to google around to find something similar!!)
If you are looking for minor pro - there are several leagues you can look up -- SPHL (http://www.thesphl.com/), UHL (http://www.theuhl.com/) and CHL (http://www.centralhockeyleague.com/)to name three, or if you want to go to Europe - you can check out the Elite League (http://www.eliteleague.co.uk/) -- if you really want to aim higher you can try ECHL or AHL as well. They usually have their open tryouts a little later in the year - but obviously much tougher to "break" in without an agent...
You can also buy the Hockey News or maybe look up their site - they will occasionally have an ad or two in there about OPEN FREE AGENT CAMPS (see: http://www.ihchockey.com/news.htm OR http://www.bloorstreetwest.com/hockeytech_old/agentcamp.html) for Minor Pro players who want to get scouted and maybe get an "agent". These camps will get you exposure and from there you may get a tryout... be prepared as sometimes it is in Europe... It pays decent in Europe -- but it can be a trek if you are not used to it!
Know that there are alot of "players" on the market -- so what will make it tougher for you is that you don't have a track record... i.e. recent stats? references. However, some coaches are more open to 'risking' than others - you may have to PR yourself for that.
Notwithstanding -- if you can stand OUT each and every game they watch you play -- you may get a shot somewhere and the key will be for you to keep the same level of play (or higher) going.
Feel free to follow up with anything if I missed something or if you wish that I elaborate.
Thanks and good luck with the puck!
Martial
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