The Q Cup, Is Just Another Chapter in the Draft Year Process

Scouts across the hockey world always flock to top prospects games and showcase tournaments because they want to see best on best.

You see scouts are always intrigued in seeing players in different situations and top prospects games like we will see this weekend at the Q Cup confirms scouts early projections or in some cases they will leave them wanting more from the player.

You see it’s all about viewings, it’s all about seeing players in different situations throughout the entire season. Nevertheless, the Q Cup is an excellent showcase for Atlantic Canadian talent wanting to punch their ticket to the next level.

If scouts want more they will definitely circle back to those players to get more viewings throughout the season.

The sacrifices all the top prospects and their families make is truly incredible.

Don’t get me wrong these top prospects games and showcase tournaments  are great to see best on best and they do reveal a lot, but they shouldn’t be the be all end all of the scouting process. It’s another chapter in the draft year journey which has so many more chapters remaining.

Are top prospect games and showcase tournaments an accurate assessment of what a player can bring at the next level?

Graphic Content Courtesy QMJHL

Yes and no, it just depends, on what scouts are looking for, what they are zeroing in on. It’s all about projecting, it’s all about collecting data and intel at different stages of the season. That’s what projecting is all about, seeing potential and projecting that to the next level.

Best on best or the closest thing to it, is always a great indicator of current standing. So, for all those that might still be asking the question are top prospects game and tournaments like the Q Cup important, well just put it this way, it depends who you talk to.

Showcase tournaments can be somewhat misleading depending on where some players are positioned within the line up and the amount of playing time and role they’re given. Some players will excel, some players will play in the shadows, some players will step up and impress and unfortunately some players may fade. Again, this is an early showcase tournament, by no means should this tournament make or break a prospects draft year. Early rankings and lists can be misleading, it’s all about the full body of work and progression a player makes throughout their draft year not one weekend.

With all of the excitement comes a lot of pressure for all these young players. Let’s hope every players showcases well and plays their best, but if that doesn’t happen, it’s quite alright, there’s a lot of time from now and June.

Congratulations to all those players and their families that made these teams, it’s a fantastic opportunity, take advantage of it, play to your identity and don’t try to do too much.

For those players that didn’t get selected, keep working hard, this doesn’t mean you’re not a great player, keep pushing, your time will come.