Pro Recruiting

Question
Hi.
   I am a 24 year old Canadian Hockey player.  I had the skill sot play Junior hockey but chose not to when I was younger to focus on my education.  I now have a Master's in Business Administration and successful work experience, but want to play pro hockey (I am comfortable that I can easily return to workforce in a few years if need be without any problems).  I am a very smart hockey player with a good sense for the game.  I have found a couple of minor pro showcases, but am looking for more this summer to get as much exposure as possible.  Can you please pass along any reputable minor pro showcases?  Also, I am open to moving to Europe to play and build some stats.  Do you have any advice on how to do this?  I would appreciate as much information as you could give me to help with this.
Thanks!

Answer
Hi Tim...

If you are looking for minor pro (IN US)- 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/) OR you can also look to http://www.pointswestinc.com/index.php?option=com_content%26view=frontpage%26Ite...  

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: MAIL: P.O. Box 113454
Pittsburgh Pa. USA 15241
PHONE: 412-835-3801
FAX: 412-835-3801
EMAIL: [email protected]  (click to email)
WEB SITE: http://www.ihchockey.com
http://www.ihchockey.com/news.htm) or
http://www.pointswestinc.com/index.php?option=com_content%26view=frontpage%26Ite... OR
http://esportsdesk.com/leagues/custom_page.cfm?leagueID=13721%26clientID=4226%26...


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!

Here is another link you can try:  (sometimes these links expire!?) --
Team from Latvia looking for players:
English speaking player e-mail:  [email protected]  [email protected]
Coach Sergey Nekrasov:   [email protected]




Know that there are alot of "players" on the market --  so what will make it tougher for you is if you don't have a recent 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