Quality People/Players at Team Canada U-18's

International Scouting Services: Prospects to watch at Canada's U-18 camp

Matt Dumba is a defenseman to watch for fans and NHL teams in need of blueline help in the future. (Photo courtesy of Dave Brunner)

Ross MacLean
2011-07-31 10:15:00

It’s been a few weeks since I’ve been to a game or taken a note on a player and I’m starting to get cabin fever. Thankfully, one of my favorite events of the year started Saturday at the Father David Bauer Arena at Hockey Canada’s headquarters in Calgary.

The nation’s top under-18 players, who will make up Canada’s squad for the Ivan Hlinka Memorial tournament in August, have come together for their summer evaluation camp. The Ivan Hlinka is one of hockey’s hidden gems and it’s a real shame that it does not get the coverage or exposure that it deserves. No disrespect to the IIHF Under-18 World Championship held every April, but the Ivan Hlinka tournament is the true gauge for the best national teams at the level, as all the best players are generally available to play (many are tied up with playoffs in April).

This week I thought I would point out some of the more intriguing players attempting to crack Canada’s roster. Next time I will go over some of the players from other countries who could make some noise during the Ivan Hlinka and jump on to the early NHL draft radar for next June.

In goal, Canada has a strong crop this year and, for good reason. Daniel Altshuller seems to be the player getting the most attention from scouts, but the player I’m most interested in seeing perform at this level is Sault Ste. Marie Greyhound Matt Murray. Murray’s effort level at last month’s development camp was unmatched and he has proven to be very quick in the crease, making him a difficult netminder to deceive and open up some net against.

The battle in goal will be intense as both Francois Tremblay and Dominic Graham are also capable of stealing the show. I’m a little surprised that my favorite Canadian under-18 goaltender, Chris Driedger, did not get an invite, but I think that actually just proves how competitive this position will be for the tournament and the draft. It’s a nice position to be in for Canada’s coaching staff.

Much has been made of the crop of D-men for this year’s draft and it truly is exceptional. How do you cut down the list if you’re Canada’s coaching staff? Tough call. My personal favorite in the group is Matt Dumba of the Red Deer Rebels. I have been lucky enough to watch him play since he was in bantam and tried to coach against him in the Alberta Cup under-16 program. Dumba is extremely dynamic and can change the momentum of a game with his stick or body. He’s the kind of player who gets fans on their feet and can intimidate opponents with his presence.

The blueliner I’m looking forward to getting a better look at is Niagara IceDog Jesse Graham. Graham had a solid rookie season in the Ontario League, but really stepped up in the playoffs. He might be a bit of a dark horse at this point, which is ridiculous considering his abilities, but I’m very interested to see how he does against the higher level of competition.

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At forward, I urge everyone to keep their eyes on Hunter Shinkaruk. This will be the third straight under-18 camp (that I know of) Shinkaruk will be attending, but the first time he’ll actually be on the ice for it. The Calgary-raised Shinkaruk is an absolute rink rat and has that love and passion for the game that is truly genuine and exciting.

On the ice he’s very intelligent and very slippery with the puck. He has grown some during the past year and is looking more and more like the real deal. Shinkaruk isn’t eligible for the NHL draft until 2013 and will be the second youngest player at camp, with only Connor Rankin born later.

Sean Monahan (born one day earlier than Shinkaruk) is another player to keep tabs on. Monahan is a born winner and plays a style of game that coaches and teammates love. He has multiple gears and always seems to be one of the most noticeable players on the ice when crunch time hits.

Perhaps the most underrated player in the mix at forward is Brandon Magee. An easy player to write off because of his size, Magee is a warrior and is potentially the best two-way player in the group. Do not overlook him, it would be a huge mistake as there is nothing the kid won’t do for his team and he is full of surprises. Magee is almost guaranteed to be one of the biggest dark horses/wildcards of the 2012 NHL draft, jump on his bandwagon now because he just doesn’t let you down.

None of these players are locks to make the team, although Dumba is pretty darn close, and I’m not trying to say who I think the best players are. I could go on, excitedly, for hours talking about the potential of every single one of the players on the invite list (give me a shout on Twitter @rossmaclean if you want to challenge that), but these are the players I really want to see strut their stuff.

I wish all the players the best of luck and I am really looking forward to watching them compete for their dream and see who jumps out at this level. Lastly, it would be wrong to write a column about this event and not mention Griffin Reinhart…so, Griffin Reinhart…I imagine I will get to talk about him enough this season.

Ross MacLean is the head scout for International Scouting Services and is considered one of the rising stars of the business. A young, diverse and versatile hockey mind, MacLean leads ISS' network of scouts and puts his domestic and international hockey experience and knowledge towards ranking and providing industry-leading profiles and information on draft eligible players around the world.

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The Hockey Advocate

Here is a website that has some very good information about a variety of topics! The site is call the Hockey Advocate!


What is The Hockey Advocate?

The Hockey Advocate is here to answer the tough questions. Most Players and their Families are kept in the dark by the hockey industry because it’s in their best interest to limit your choices and decision making skills. With ten years experience throughout the hockey world, the Hockey Advocate has picked up a few useful bits of hockey knowledge and has decided to share his ‘wisdom’ – such that it is – with those people who might actually benefit from it, the minor and junior hockey players and their parents.

Click here to go the site!

Life Lessons!

1. Be a traveler, not a tourist
A tourist takes the easy road. A traveler seeks out the challenging path. A tourist stays on the bus. A traveler jumps in the mud.

2. Always pack your flip-flops
In college, a friend and I backpacked across Asia and got kicked out of many locations because he refused to wear anything but tank tops and flip-flops. Twenty years later he still wears flip-flops! It became his motto. Whatever you do, be true to yourself. Wherever you go, always pack your flip-flops.

3. Don't see the wall, dream big
When you encounter a wall, find a way to get over it, around it, or under it. Whatever you do, don't succumb to it. Don't give into the wall.
4. Tend your tadpoles
When I was a boy I caught tadpoles with a friend. Like those tadpoles, we grew legs and hopped off into the world. I had little in common with that friend. Later, when I needed help, my friend was suddenly back. Tend your tadpoles. You never know when you might need a pal.

5. Live the questions
Have patience with the unknown. No matter where you find yourself, if you ask questions, you'll find your way. Don't only seek the answers. Try to love the questions.

6. Harvest miracles
Life is full of everyday miracles. Sometimes it just takes a bad situation to help appreciate them. Even when it's cloudy, keep looking for the rainbow.

7. Use your words
When you were toddlers, we begged you, "Use your words." Yet sometimes we forgot to take our own advice. Even when you're older, don't hide behind silence. When you face a problem, talk it through.

8. Always learn to juggle on the side of the hill
When I was 12, I learned to juggle on the side of a gravel hill with oranges. Every time I dropped an orange it would hit the ground, pulpify, and role to the bottom of the incline. It was a fool's errand. But it worked! If you're going to try something, try it. Don't half commit.

9. Take a walk with a turtle
In Paris, France, years ago, a new type of pedestrian appeared. He was called a flaneur, one who strolled the arcades. Flaneurs liked to take turtles for walks and let the reptile set the pace. I love this ode to slow-moving. Don't be in a hurry. Behold the world in pause.

10. Hug the monster
Pilots learn that when they face a life-defining challenge, they should not run from their fear. They should embrace it. Hug the monster. Wrestle your fear into submission. Redirect it into a source of resilience and purpose.

Learning and Sweating

Learning and sweating 400 participants in Development Camp take message home 26-07-11		Back
		The participants of the 2011 IIHF Hockey Development Camp pose for a team photo. The camp saw 400 participants – players, managers and officials. Photo: Timo Pylvanainen
VIERUMÄKI, Finland – The 2011 IIHF Hockey Development Camp in Vierumäki, Finland, was the tenth global hockey development camp. It involved 400 participants from 49 countries: young players born in 1996, coaches, team manager, officials and students from the host – the Vierumäki Sport Institute – that participated in training sessions, seminars, workshops and other events of the various programs: 8 Team Programs Team Coach Development Program Equipment Manager Development Program Team Manager Development Program Goalkeeper Coach Development Program (NEW) Learn To Play Program I Learn To Play Program II (Advanced) (NEW) Development Workshop (Long Term Athlete Development) (NEW) IIHF Game Officials Development Program Skills Challenge Qualification Competition (NEW) Click here for the photo gallery of the camp. Click here for a camp video. “This year we had more participants than we have ever had,” says Darryl Easson, the IIHF’s Sport Development Manager. “We had three new programs and it worked out very well. They fit right into our strategy for our national associations.” What is a learning experience and fun for the kids is also part of a bigger picture: to operate a leadership program to educate and train the participants, who can upgrade and operate quality educational programs in their hockey association. It is an experience that participants take home for the benefit of their hockey programs, no matter whether it’s Canada, Luxembourg, India, Russia or South Africa. Another new aspect was the Skills Challenge Qualification Competition that was used as a qualification event of the inaugural Youth Olympic Winter Games in Innsbruck and Seefeld, Austria, 13-22 January 2012. The participating teams for the men’s and women’s tournaments in Austria as well as the players for the Skills Challenge at the Youth Olympics will be determined once the format has been finalized by the International Olympic Committee. “The co-operation was very good and the weather held out very nicely, which makes people more relaxed. We got the opportunity to use the new area in the arena that has been built for the Finnish Ice Hockey Association,” Easson says. New dressing rooms were installed and named after the Olympic Games where Finnish ice hockey teams won medals. For many players the camp was an interesting learning experience on their way to become hockey leaders in their countries. Of course the level of play between the 49 nations can vary. That’s why teams are mixed with players from countries whose programs are at different levels, and coaches make sure that the lines facing each other during games won’t cause mismatches. Past IIHF camps included players who have become NHLers such as Johan Hedberg, Anze Kopitar, Rob Schremp or Jeff Tambellini. The development camps might not be the main reason for their success, but it’s a great learning experience and meeting point for 15-year-old top prospects from leading hockey nations same as for juniors from smaller hockey countries like Bulgaria, Hong Kong or New Zealand. For them it’s an opportunity to share experiences and a dressing room with potential future world-class players. It also offers a valuable cultural exchange opportunity for everybody. “The most important thing is that participants take the message home,” Easson says. That’s essential not only for the kids, but even more for coaches, officials and managers participating in the events, who can improve their programs back home and bring the long-term competitiveness in ice hockey in their countries to the next level. MARTIN MERK

212 Degrees

Most of us are feeling the squeeze of the economy, and have been for quite some time. But, take heart; I have a number that may bring you some inspiration. 212. The phenomenon that takes place when the temperature of water goes from 211° to 212° reminds us that seemingly small things can make tremendous differences. In this current economic climate, now is the time to take advantage of each and every opportunity. Now is the time to stretch beyond your comfort zone. Now is the time to go the extra degree. To inspire you to go the extra degree, I’m sharing with you our 212° the extra degree movie along with a story about one man who, during difficult circumstances, made every moment count. 

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Core Hockey will be offering 1 on 1 training sessions as of August 1st.

• Sessions will be 30 minutes in length
• Focus will be on Puckhandling and Shooting
• Pay for one session at a time. No long term commitment. 
• For more information please email us at blair@corehockeytraining.com

Today's "How To" Leadership Tips

Leading others can be a complex and challenging task full of good intentions which must be backed up with good leadership practices. Here are a few leadership tips for your consideration:

• Welcome ideas that are NOT your own. Be open to what others have to say without getting defensive. Make it okay for others to share their ideas – even if those ideas conflict with yours.

• Hire for “SPARKLE”! Once you’re satisfied that a candidate possesses the necessary technical skills for a job, make your hiring decision based on their “fit” with your organizational culture. Do they add to, or detract from, your culture of creativity, energy, and enthusiasm?

• Create shared vision – the collaborative shaping of an idea for the future. If a vision is to guide an organization, leaders must communicate it so that all team members understand their roles and what each must do to achieve the vision.

• Delegate responsibility … and authority. Assign a big job to one of your more promising team members. Encourage him or her to develop a work plan, make decisions, solve problems, and be accountable for results.

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To keep up on what Core Hockey and what I am doing regarding hockey and work outs, please follow me!

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Great day for Hockey!
Blair

Puckhandling Video

IIHF - Learn To Play Program

Learn To Play Program

The Learn to Play Program (LTP) is a development initiative introduced by the IIHF.  The Program is a cooperative effort drawing on ice hockey experience and expertise from around the world.  It promotes a child-oriented educational approach to teaching the skills of ice hockey to the youngest and newest players.
The Learn to Play Program is a well organised step-by-step program that enables children to have fun and enjoy, while learning the basics of the great game of ice hockey.
Objectives
The main objective of the LTP Program is to give 6 to 9 year old children the best possible introduction to ice hockey. Ice hockey at this level should be based on having fun, participation for all, and learning the basic skills required to play. These ice hockey skills are:

• Skating
• Puck Handling
• Stopping
• Passing
• Turning
• Shooting
• Goalkeeping


All of these skills have there own page in this section with film clips to show the techniques being used.
The Learn to Play Program is linked to the IIHF Coaching Development Program, by way of the Introduction to Coaching.

For more info please go to IIHF!