How to promote

Question
Guy,
What is the best way to get my son (currently in 8th grade) to being recruited for College hockey. Some of the High School coaches have asked about him already, and the school he will be playing for is a lock. He plays for the Bantam travel program and has expressed the desire to continue to play as long as he is able. Since we moved south a few years back the hockey programs are not as large as back up north. I would like to see about the best way to help him accomplish this goal. Is it true that this is the time to start promoting him?
Thanks,
 Dave G.

Answer
Hi Dave,

You are getting close to being the time when to start promoting your son. Most colleges recruit from the top Junior A leagues in the U.S. like the USHL and NAHL. And most of those Junior A teams from those leagues like to have their players start playing Junior level hockey at youngest 16, but most start when 17-18 (senior year of high school - unless playing top Midget AAA).

To help with getting exposure, their are camps in the summer especially made for "Exposure" where many teams from the Junior ranks will go and watch and then talk to players that catch their eye after the ice sessions during camp. Another suggestion would be to make a resume-type letter and info sheet that you can have sent to the coaches of teams that your son would like to play for, expressing interest in playing for them, as well as stats from previous and current years as well as personal qualities that your son is well known for and his aspirations of continuing to play. I also know of a few kids that make "DVD" of highlights from games that were filmed. A teammate of mine had his dad videotape him every time he was on ice - and then would go home and cut out clips that showed him scoring, or making a great play or save (if he is a goalie). He then compiled this all on a DVD - something like 5 minutes I believe (long enough to show quite a few highlights - but not too long as to bore the coach either). It is highly recommended if you send info to the coaches to include a schedule of all games to be played - so that way if a scout from the team is nearby - they can drop in to watch and be the eyes/ears for the coach.

I hope this answers your questions and helps you promote your son and leads him to opportunities to succeed. Let me know if there is anything else I can help you with.

Thanks,

Guy