Some tournaments take on a life of their own. The Monctonian Challenge sure as over its history. Hundreds of players and their families are literally counting down the days. The first major scouting tournament of the year is fast approaching. Obviously, the Q Cup was a great showcase of the “top” Atlantic Canadian talent, but the Monctonian gives a plethora of talented players that weren’t invited to attend the Q Cup an opportunity to show what they can bring to the table.
The hockey world from this region and beyond are about to converge on the Superior Propane Centre for the playing of the 42nd Monctonian Challenge. 42 years of elite level hockey, what a run, what a tournament!
It’s easy to see the passion and love for the game of hockey, it’s everywhere, it’s a tradition, but Tournaments like the Monctonian seem to mean much more, it’s where hockey dreams come alive on so many levels for so many people.
The timing of the event undoubtedly adds to the allure of it.
It’s a perfect time for scouts and every organization to start building out their primary lists for June’s draft. For agents and advisors, it’s a perfect time for them to perhaps approach, introduce and solidify relationships amongst players and their families.
Showcase tournaments like the Monctonian offer so many different opportunities for growth, development and a chance to connect and share similar experiences. From the coach, player, referee, scout and advisor, everyone involved in the game definitely has a role to play in making the game better.
Everyone wants to get noticed at events like the Monctonian, but let’s hope they are getting noticed for all the right reasons. Tournaments like this are potentially massive steppingstones for everyone involved in the game.
From a scouting perspective, every scout is trying to identify prospects and make their early season draft lists which are incredibly important, but those lists and or rankings are still very preliminary in nature. It’s early, and many young draft eligible players are still finding their traction at the U-18 level. Of course, everyone wants to win, but at the end of the day, what’s the game and tournaments like this one all about?
What’s the real purpose of these showcase tournaments? “Win at all cost” or expose the players to the best competition possible to ensure they develop and continue to grow?
The Monctonian provides an excellent stage or platform to set a monumental benchmark for player development. As teams are gearing up for the rest of the season, draft eligible players will experience their first major test under the scouting microscope and scrutiny of that process.
One can only imagine the self-imposed pressure every player will experience November 16th to the 19st.
Blair Brooks and the entire organizing committee deserve tons of credit when it comes to this tournament. The Monctonian Challenge seemingly gets better with each passing year and this year’s crop of teams and prospects are no different.
We can only hope that the aforementioned pressure and high expectations surrounding the Monctonian or any showcase event for that matter doesn’t overshadow the experience of the game and the opportunity for every young player to grow and continue to develop.
Over the multitude of games throughout the tournament, you will no doubt witness some impressive individual and team performances under extreme pressure. When I think of showcase tournaments, I think of all the hard work and dedication of all those behind the scenes that allow the spotlight to be shown on the players. I think of all of the officials and referees doing multiple games a day to keep things rolling. Obviously, the Monctonian Challenge is massive, but it’s only a small collection of games throughout the entire draft year process. It’s extremely difficult for all of these players to put things in perspective before a massive event like this one. It would be great to see every player take a step back and really reflect on their current path and trajectory in the game heading into the tournament.
Every young player needs to embrace the journey, embrace the grind, but whatever they do, they shouldn’t believe if they have a subpar performance during the event that it’s the end of the line and that their draft or recruitment dreams are over.
The Monctonian is a snapshot, a benchmark, it’s not the end, it’s only one chapter in the journey and that chapter has yet to be written. Hopefully every player will enjoy the experience, hopefully like they are all enjoying their draft year. I would offer up this advice to any young draft eligible player or any player wanting to get noticed at showcase tournaments.
Control what you can control, play to your identity, work hard and you will get noticed. Everyone wants to know or are curious of what scouts are zeroing in on about certain players. Obviously, every scout sees it differently, but the following questions are foundational in my mind when evaluating, assessing and projecting a multitude of players at large showcase tournaments, a) Can they skate? b) Are they skilled? c) Can they think and process the game? d) Do they compete?e) Are they a good teammate? f) What intangibles do they possess? g) Do they play both sides of the puck?
The Monctonian Challenge is fast approaching, the excitement is growing, hopefully the pressure and high expectations draft eligible players are confronted with, isn’t.
See you at the rink,
FDS Sports Blog 