by Rory Boylen - December 18, 2008 11:16 AM EST
In our weekly look at prospect projection, we talk to scouts about the shift towards smaller snipers in the new NHL.
“Tyler Ennis, who Buffalo drafted in the first round, is a tiny guy. Prior to the lockout I don’t know if he would have had a chance to be drafted in the first round.
by Rory Boylen - December 11, 2008 12:11 PM EST
In this edition of our regular look at the world of scouting, the perils and promise of projecting talent in developing frames.
“It’s like a batting average. If you have a batter who can hit .400, you have a hell of a hitter on your hands.” –Paul Charles, Minnesota Wild
The art of studying a player and formulating a career projection is what scouting at the NHL level is all about.
by Rory Boylen - December 4, 2008 9:43 AM EST
In this edition of our weekly look at the world of scouting, how Milan Lucic grew into an NHL star.
“He’s a self-made guy. He did everything he could to make himself a better player and he still does to this day.” – Scott Bonner, GM of the Western League’s Vancouver Giants
As explored last week, drafting players out of bantam for major junior is a tough task.
by Rory Boylen - November 27, 2008 11:09 AM EST
This week in our regular look at the world of scouting, we focus on finding late-round gems in junior hockey drafts.
“If you’re good enough, the scouts will find you.” – Scouting adage
When scouting talent for major junior, the top-level players stick out.
by Rory Boylen - November 20, 2008 11:21 AM EST
In our weekly look at the world of pro and amateur scouting, we look at the art of getting all the needed info and more.
“There are always guys who will jump out you weren’t expecting to. That’s a bonus, someone else to follow.” - Paul Castron, director of amateur scouting, Columbus Blue Jackets
When you sit down to watch a hockey game there are a lot of players to see.
by Rory Boylen - November 13, 2008 9:53 AM EST
In our on-going look at the world of talent evaluation, we examine how a player can be improved based on his junior system.
“Ryan Getzlaf was drafted in the third round of the bantam draft. He had first-round skill, but had some other problems I didn’t like and he wasn’t very big, but he developed.
by Rory Boylen - November 6, 2008 12:14 PM EST
Continuing our look into the job of a scout, we examine both the benefits and drawbacks of tape.
“You know where you find the answers? In the rink.”
- Ontario League director of central scouting and player development Robert Kitamura on advice given to him when he first started scouting.
by Rory Boylen - October 30, 2008 12:12 PM EDT
THN.com’s weekly feature on scouting continues by exploring the trials and tribulations of travel.
“Scouting is not something you can push yourself to do. You have to ask yourself: ‘Do I really want to be on the road six days a week for six months, watching 250 games a year?’ ” – NHL scout
Having to scout players from different teams in different leagues across different geographic areas can be stress-inducing and, of course, time-consuming.
by Rory Boylen - October 23, 2008 11:22 AM EDT
In a world that changes season to season, knowing where you'll be is never certain.
“Reputation and experience don’t necessarily translate into better job security. I knew a guy who had been in the business for 18 years on 18 one-year contracts.
by Rory Boylen - October 16, 2008 12:37 PM EDT
We talk to scouts about keeping an open mind and fighting for who you believe in.
“Eyes open, ears open, mouth shut.” – Paul Charles, Minnesota Wild
While a prime condition of being a successful scout is being able to keep your cards close to the chest, not letting on what you may or may not know, when it comes to discussing players with your staff, you have to have the gumption to stand behind what you see in a player, no matter the popular belief.
by Rory Boylen - October 9, 2008 11:33 AM EDT
In the first edition of our new feature about scouting, we look at what it takes to get into the field.
“I think a lot of guys in the business will say the same thing: you have to have a passion for the game to do what we do.” – Steve Lyons, Phoenix Coyotes
From a distance, scouting can seem like a hockey fanatic’s dream.
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"There's no greater honor, no greater feeling than standing on that blueline with your teammates representing this country. I'll remember this the rest of my life."
- Canada's John Tavares after winning the country's fifth straight World Junior Championship gold medal.
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