exactly my point - i was actually agreeing with you, but after reading my response it sounds like im saying that the resource are *not* here .. they are .. you just have to seek them out and dedicate yourself
exact if a player really wants it he would work super hard to achive his dream...not on the league you play in it is training you do to get there.
im not saying they are on par with those leagues...im saying it is not a bad league
The last guy is right, going away does not make it better for development, it is a lot of fad with players wanting to say "I play prep school", or the old saying everyone thinks the grass is greener on the other side.
Bolded bit: And I never said the league was bad, I said it wasn't on par with those leagues so all these posts would be avoided if everyone got that after the first or second, or third time I said it...
I disagree. Going to a prep school can definitely help a players development. I'm obviously not saying that if every player goes to a prep school they'll develop into a top prospect but I think prep schools have resources that a team in the NSMMHL doesn't have so if a kid can take advantage of his time in a prep school, it's going to help him develop.
Quote:
Originally Posted by scoutman1
exact if a player really wants it he would work super hard to achive his dream...not on the league you play in it is training you do to get there.
That is only if he was born with hockey sense though, right? Couldn't resist
i wouldn't say it brings people out of the wood work because when Crosby played midget he was in the paper all the time and the stands were stll empty only really family in the stands except for the playoffs when halifax faced Dartmouth but those games are packed anyway, but the whole year the stands were empty...the year James Sheppard played he was highly hyped and again empty...not really sure who you know that experiences this because not really any superstars coming up that get this attention right now?????
as for nova scotia not having enough towns...most of these players come from the Halifax, Dartmouth area, im pretty sure everyone does not know everyone with a population base of 350,000 or more....plus Cape Breton is so spread out that they player might play for Cape Breton West or so but live 2 hours away from the rink plus Sydney in there the city is a fairly good size city and im pretty sure not everyone knows everyone up there LOL....these players playing major midget home or in prep is no different except for a guy like Crosby or Mackinnon where the media would have swarmed them...but guys like Balmas would not have to worry about that hype...they go prep because a lot of people think that is the way to go, their advisors tell them go to prep or parents and players see Mackinnon, Crosby, Richards and etc etc went prep.
Im not knocking prep school though the leagues are good and offer good competition, all im saying are the players are usually no better coming from prep as they are when they stay in midget back home...plus if a player chooses a prep that is not highly reconized they can get lost to scouts if they are serious about playing hockey...an average player who goes upper canada college well no team is goiing to invest money to go there to watch one average player there for he might get lost and never seen and possibly never drafted, I have seen it happen...but at least playing home the scouts see every game...
I'm not talking about people coming and watching the games. I'm talking about the people behind the scenes. Nobody really watches midget hockey unless you are family. However if you think there are not plenty of people trying to get invested into players at an early age you're only kidding yourself.
Last year at the Bantam AAA tournament in Halifax I know for a fact that one 13 yr old player had grown men that did not know him, his family or anyone associated with the team wanting to talk to him about his plans in hockey. This is the crap that I am talking about.
You have hockey development programs that are using kids for their own gain. I'm not talking about the minor hockey programs, I am talking about hockey camps, off ice training, etc. You could probably go watch promo videos for several of these hockey camps and they will make the claim they developed a player that had gone to one of their camps when he was 8 and never went back. Now not all of these programs are bad, but they are out there.
With respect to people not knowing everyone's business in local hockey circles. Sure Halifax is a city, but it's the only one in Atlantic Canada. You could probably fade into the mass there, but a guy like Balmas from Cape Breton? everyone in the hockey community of Cape Breton has probably heard of him. Sydney is small, there are university campuses bigger than Sydney. A population base of less than 150,000 for the whole island of Cape Breton does not breed anonymity. People talk around the rinks about the best hockey players around and he is one.
I am not promoting prep school. I have no vested interest in them, I am a big time supporter of minor hockey. I am just telling you why some people choose prep schools. If you want to mock me and tell me I have no idea what I am talking about go right ahead, but I am speaking from first hand knowledge.
I'm not talking about people coming and watching the games. I'm talking about the people behind the scenes. Nobody really watches midget hockey unless you are family. However if you think there are not plenty of people trying to get invested into players at an early age you're only kidding yourself.
Last year at the Bantam AAA tournament in Halifax I know for a fact that one 13 yr old player had grown men that did not know him, his family or anyone associated with the team wanting to talk to him about his plans in hockey. This is the crap that I am talking about.
You have hockey development programs that are using kids for their own gain. I'm not talking about the minor hockey programs, I am talking about hockey camps, off ice training, etc. You could probably go watch promo videos for several of these hockey camps and they will make the claim they developed a player that had gone to one of their camps when he was 8 and never went back. Now not all of these programs are bad, but they are out there.
With respect to people not knowing everyone's business in local hockey circles. Sure Halifax is a city, but it's the only one in Atlantic Canada. You could probably fade into the mass there, but a guy like Balmas from Cape Breton? everyone in the hockey community of Cape Breton has probably heard of him. Sydney is small, there are university campuses bigger than Sydney. A population base of less than 150,000 for the whole island of Cape Breton does not breed anonymity. People talk around the rinks about the best hockey players around and he is one.
I am not promoting prep school. I have no vested interest in them, I am a big time supporter of minor hockey. I am just telling you why some people choose prep schools. If you want to mock me and tell me I have no idea what I am talking about go right ahead, but I am speaking from first hand knowledge.
those are agencies wanting to speak with him mostly, scouts are not allowed to speak to players untill the season is finished that is the un written rule, and fans are not going to care about that as bantam really has no fans lol, and media is not big on bantam....so those asking are agencies and they are in prep schools or not, I know a few agents and they go prep schools all the time to see players, so that is not correct that that would keep them away.
Beside me talking on here, not too many people beside people who actually go to the bantam games really know or care about Balmas in Cape Breton or else thre would be more people at the games watching. Also im not saying you do not know what you are talking about, I am a scout in the Q and know first hand as well, there is no right or wrong view on this it is all on what you think.
I'm not talking about people coming and watching the games. I'm talking about the people behind the scenes. Nobody really watches midget hockey unless you are family. However if you think there are not plenty of people trying to get invested into players at an early age you're only kidding yourself.
Last year at the Bantam AAA tournament in Halifax I know for a fact that one 13 yr old player had grown men that did not know him, his family or anyone associated with the team wanting to talk to him about his plans in hockey. This is the crap that I am talking about.
You have hockey development programs that are using kids for their own gain. I'm not talking about the minor hockey programs, I am talking about hockey camps, off ice training, etc. You could probably go watch promo videos for several of these hockey camps and they will make the claim they developed a player that had gone to one of their camps when he was 8 and never went back. Now not all of these programs are bad, but they are out there.
With respect to people not knowing everyone's business in local hockey circles. Sure Halifax is a city, but it's the only one in Atlantic Canada. You could probably fade into the mass there, but a guy like Balmas from Cape Breton? everyone in the hockey community of Cape Breton has probably heard of him. Sydney is small, there are university campuses bigger than Sydney. A population base of less than 150,000 for the whole island of Cape Breton does not breed anonymity. People talk around the rinks about the best hockey players around and he is one.
I am not promoting prep school. I have no vested interest in them, I am a big time supporter of minor hockey. I am just telling you why some people choose prep schools. If you want to mock me and tell me I have no idea what I am talking about go right ahead, but I am speaking from first hand knowledge.
There are really decent crowds at games in the NB-PEI major Midget league
Bolded bit: And I never said the league was bad, I said it wasn't on par with those leagues so all these posts would be avoided if everyone got that after the first or second, or third time I said it...
I disagree. Going to a prep school can definitely help a players development. I'm obviously not saying that if every player goes to a prep school they'll develop into a top prospect but I think prep schools have resources that a team in the NSMMHL doesn't have so if a kid can take advantage of his time in a prep school, it's going to help him develop.
That is only if he was born with hockey sense though, right? Couldn't resist
i would say I have to disagree with you on the if the player is good prep can help him more...here players have resources to gyms, and trainers, they have there practices with the teams just as much as Prep does, I am well aware of prep school, I know all that goes on there what different benifits kids get there appose to midget hockey, and really no different, the biggest difference are the kids are away from their families thus some with medaling parents can get away from them which is sometimes a good thing...things are done more as a team as in workouts and school...but I will tell you though, use Zach Taylor as an example he went to Notre Dame as a top prospect and his year in Notre Dame he actually regressed....Thomas Stavart went to Notre Dame as a top prospect and has not gotten any better from last year and actually turned from a top prospect last year to a guy who might not get drafted...Kris Hodge went there as a top prospect and turned from an great player to a little above average, im not saying that would not have happened if they played midget here either as it would have....but it is an example to show that really prep school is no different than staying home and playing midget...last year beside Mackinnon who went Shattuck (which not too many maritmers go to anyway with a $50,000 a year entrence fee, not a cheap route to take), but resources are in the city as well...if u know of any resources they get that they can not get in the city please list them, because there are gyms with sports trainers, practices, games, tournaments they play in, again this is my opinon but from years of scouting and working with players most say it is not different or the experience they though, like they say it was fun but the only thing Prep really has is independicy and strict rules which can be broke LOL.
i would say I have to disagree with you on the if the player is good prep can help him more...here players have resources to gyms, and trainers, they have there practices with the teams just as much as Prep does, I am well aware of prep school, I know all that goes on there what different benifits kids get there appose to midget hockey, and really no different, the biggest difference are the kids are away from their families thus some with medaling parents can get away from them which is sometimes a good thing...things are done more as a team as in workouts and school...but I will tell you though, use Zach Taylor as an example he went to Notre Dame as a top prospect and his year in Notre Dame he actually regressed....Thomas Stavart went to Notre Dame as a top prospect and has not gotten any better from last year and actually turned from a top prospect last year to a guy who might not get drafted...Kris Hodge went there as a top prospect and turned from an great player to a little above average, im not saying that would not have happened if they played midget here either as it would have....but it is an example to show that really prep school is no different than staying home and playing midget...last year beside Mackinnon who went Shattuck (which not too many maritmers go to anyway with a $50,000 a year entrence fee, not a cheap route to take), but resources are in the city as well...if u know of any resources they get that they can not get in the city please list them, because there are gyms with sports trainers, practices, games, tournaments they play in, again this is my opinon but from years of scouting and working with players most say it is not different or the experience they though, like they say it was fun but the only thing Prep really has is independicy and strict rules which can be broke LOL.
So this was all started by me asking if Balmas might jump to a prep school. So I ask you, does Balmas has the ability to get on the ice 5-7 times a week like he would if he was attending a prep school like Shattuck St. Mary's? I know the answer is no I think the most Cape Breton would get on the ice is 4 times a week. Going to Shattuck you could have a practice Monday-Friday and play a game Saturday & Sunday.
So this was all started by me asking if Balmas might jump to a prep school. So I ask you, does Balmas has the ability to get on the ice 5-7 times a week like he would if he was attending a prep school like Shattuck St. Mary's? I know the answer is no I think the most Cape Breton would get on the ice is 4 times a week. Going to Shattuck you could have a practice Monday-Friday and play a game Saturday & Sunday.
On PEI seems the best prospects are staying here and playing Major Midget. I know of a couple of 96's away but don't think they are as good as some of the 96's playing here.
Some of the better 94's and 93's that played Major midget were MacLauchlan, Wood, Ross Johnston, Jason Cameron, Darcy Ashley, Brent Andrews to name a few
So this was all started by me asking if Balmas might jump to a prep school. So I ask you, does Balmas has the ability to get on the ice 5-7 times a week like he would if he was attending a prep school like Shattuck St. Mary's? I know the answer is no I think the most Cape Breton would get on the ice is 4 times a week. Going to Shattuck you could have a practice Monday-Friday and play a game Saturday & Sunday.
dartmouth gets on the ice I know 5 times a week for practice and have two days off of practice.
So this was all started by me asking if Balmas might jump to a prep school. So I ask you, does Balmas has the ability to get on the ice 5-7 times a week like he would if he was attending a prep school like Shattuck St. Mary's? I know the answer is no I think the most Cape Breton would get on the ice is 4 times a week. Going to Shattuck you could have a practice Monday-Friday and play a game Saturday & Sunday.
I think the point is...it doesnt matter where he goes...if hes talented enough and works hard enough he will develop and get better.
Balmas could play HS hockey for the Glace Bay Miners and still make it, if he is as talented as people say.
I never said Balmas has to go to a prep school to make it anywhere. I don't understand where you guys are coming up with this crap...
And I dont believe I said you did...im just saying it doesnt matter where a kid plays..if they have talent, they have work ethic and they have character they will succeed.
And I dont believe I said you did...im just saying it doesnt matter where a kid plays..if they have talent, they have work ethic and they have character they will succeed.
So... You quoted my post to just say something completely irrelevant that I in no way disagreed with or even talked about?
I think you take things a bit too seriously and need to grow some thicker skin...
You asked a question...there was a debate..I added my 2 cents...
I honestly have no idea what you're talking about.
You come and state something completely random then when I say it's completely random and irrelevant to what you quoted, you tell me I take things a bit too seriously? What kind of twisted logic is that?
I honestly have no idea what you're talking about.
You come and state something completely random then when I say it's completely random and irrelevant to what you quoted, you tell me I take things a bit too seriously? What kind of twisted logic is that?
Just pretend I didnt quote you....
It is a stand alone statement...
From now on I wont quote you or respond to you...there...now everyone is happy.
I made the trip down on Tuesday night to see game 1 of the South Shore-Valley Wildcat series. I hadn't been to a NSMMHL game in a while but have heard lots about the Messenger/Nickerson kids from the SS and Moody/Blanchard of the Wildcats.
Seeing that these four players are in your top 36, I thought it would be a good show.
Nickerson didn't do anything that blew me away. He looked to be trying to keep all plays simple and not make many mistakes. A couple of turnovers deep in his zone but he recovered nicely to limit the damage.
Messenger looked frustrated on the ice. He was going to the dirty ice a lot of times to make plays but was getting little support from his linemates. Good hard worker with a nose for the net.
Blanchard and Moody from the Valley were worth the drive down from the city. They work very well together and are always a scoring threat. Moody was good at both ends of the ice and Blanchard has a hard shot/quick release.
Quote:
Originally Posted by scoutman1
one of the top 95s Anthony Duluca I never put on the list because im sure he is going NCAA....I think Audette will go 1st because the expansion team is going to want him but I do not think he is the best player in the draft.
Update - Attended game 3 of the SS-Valley series last night. Valley won in OT on a goal by Moody. The Moody-Blanchard-Brown line logged a lot of ice time for the Wildcats and provided most of the offensive chances. Once again, Moody impressed with his work ethic. He is not that big but he gets dirty to make a play. Fifteen to twenty pounds of muscle will help him at the next level.
Brendan Nickerson turned it up last night - He created more offensive chances and rushed the puck a few times. Late in the game, he made an end-to-end rush that almost won the game for the SS team. Probably the best I have sim him play this year.
The goalie for the Wildcats, Jonathan Boutin, stood on his head all game.
Scoutman, I'm curious as to what you think of Cavan Fitzgerald (and possibly where you rank him). Seems to get a fair share of ice time on the PP, good shot, good skater, solid checker, seems relatively smart with the puck. He's listed 5'10" 160lbs but I wouldn't be surprised if he was up to 170-175ish and looking closer to, but not quite, 6'. He looked a bit complacent in a few games, probably has something to do with Cape Breton's 7-28-0-2 record but every game I've seen, he's been the player that caught my attention the most.
Only the 2nd time I got out to see Mason McDonald. I was hoping to see Fancy but either way there was going to be a good goalie in red. Last game I saw of his, was quite early in the season and his skates seemed glued to the crease. Tonight, he was seemingly playing the puck more frequently than the D-men. He made excellent decisions with the puck and a couple beauty outlet passes from behind the goal line (with the odd errant pass). The only word I could think of while watching him was agility. He's listed 6'3" and his ability to move from post to post & his shot recovery was simply outstanding. I'm not sure if I was more impressed because just hours before I watched Phillip Trudeau (6'5") at his worst with the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles (vs. Rimouski) but McDonald's nimbleness was simply phenomenal.
Scoutman, I'm curious as to what you think of Cavan Fitzgerald (and possibly where you rank him). Seems to get a fair share of ice time on the PP, good shot, good skater, solid checker, seems relatively smart with the puck. He's listed 5'10" 160lbs but I wouldn't be surprised if he was up to 170-175ish and looking closer to, but not quite, 6'. He looked a bit complacent in a few games, probably has something to do with Cape Breton's 7-28-0-2 record but every game I've seen, he's been the player that caught my attention the most.
Only the 2nd time I got out to see Mason McDonald. I was hoping to see Fancy but either way there was going to be a good goalie in red. Last game I saw of his, was quite early in the season and his skates seemed glued to the crease. Tonight, he was seemingly playing the puck more frequently than the D-men. He made excellent decisions with the puck and a couple beauty outlet passes from behind the goal line (with the odd errant pass). The only word I could think of while watching him was agility. He's listed 6'3" and his ability to move from post to post & his shot recovery was simply outstanding. I'm not sure if I was more impressed because just hours before I watched Phillip Trudeau (6'5") at his worst with the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles (vs. Rimouski) but McDonald's nimbleness was simply phenomenal.
i would say Fitzgerald runs the risk of not even getting drafted or even really getting an invite at all to a major junior camp...myself I think he is a career Jr A potential, not a bad thing he just is not major junior caliber and to me shows no potential to go there. Trademan were very very very underscouted by all teams this year because they really have no one to watch.
Well you were comparing him to Drouin who is on a level of his own in my opinion, especially when it comes to on ice work ethic, hockey sense and vision....things De Luca lacks...
Average fans love De Luca because they dont really understand how important work ethic and hockey sense are...
Im not saying De Luca is a bum or anything but saying hes on the same level as Drouin is kind of crazy...he doesnt make players around him better...in the 8 games he has played since Drouin left he has 8 goals and 1 assist...his numbers have fallen off since Drouin went to Halifax...cant say im shocked.
LALA, I HAVE BEEN READING YOUR POSTS ON DELUCA FOR A WHILE NOW.
Question: Do you know this kid personally? Seems you have alot of inside info on him.
He finished this season with 80 points. Currently 7 th overall in all time scoring in Midget aaa.
How can you be so negative about the player.
Numbers dont lie. You may have a hidden agenda, but be realistic. Give credit where credit is due.
The only reason he was not drafted last season in the Q draft, was because he personally adressed the league and told them of his agreement to the University of Vermont and to the Cedar Rapids Roughriders of the USHL.
I know the whole family personally and I can say outright, all honesty was brought to the for front.
He was called on by every team in the Q and explained his intentions to all of the scouts.
I have read that some think he is not a bright kid and that he is holding out for some type of cash settlement.
He comes from a comfortable family with very strong moral issues and is a straight A student.
but I think prep schools have resources that a team in the NSMMHL doesn't have so if a kid can take advantage of his time in a prep school, it's going to help him develop.
Couldn't resist
