5 Am Wake Up Calls
I’ve been working away on my QMJHL Draft Prep for the last few weeks now and that process is still ongoing. 5 am comes a little early during the playoffs, but it’s definitely worth it when you’re doing a deep dive on the QMJHL’s next crop of players. For roughly a 1 hour and half each morning for the last week or so, I’ve been in front of my screen writing reports.
Graphic Content Courtesy the QMJHL
There’s a ton of very promising players coming into the Q which is exciting for this region the game and the league. Perhaps the day before the draft I will publish my reports and analysis, but for the time being I will be keeping those reports and analysis private, but I will say this, the video platforms continue to be a game changer.
Clearly, they’re not the same as the eye test or being in the rink, but they are the next best thing. Top Prospect Exchange and Instat/Hudle amongst others continue to be on the cutting edge of the technology which make our jobs easier by providing access to players from a far.
There was tons of uncertainty surrounding the scouting process when COVID struck. Obviously, video has been around for ages, but when Instat burst on the scene, it made the process much easier to do deep dives on players from a far, again there’s no substitution for the eye test and being there, but video continues to reinforce all aspects of player skillsets, tendencies, progression and projection.
Every time I walk into a rink, I try to learn something new. Every time I look at video, I try to learn something new about players and how they process the game and critical moments within it. The ability to breakdown and isolate decisions or certain sequences have definitely provided more clarity when projecting players.
“Other Eligible Players”
It doesn’t take you too long to notice the quality of players listed/labelled as “other eligible players” by the QMJHL’s CSR. Ranking players and building out lists is hard work, it takes a ton of time, I’ve been there, it isn’t easy and the CSR are very passionate about what they do.
Building out a draft board or a list takes patience, precision and there’s tons of conversations around player projection and rating. Building out the list and ranking the first 6 rounds of the QMJHL is incredibly difficult, but that’s the job. There’s tons of players rated/ranked as “Other Eligible Players” that will hear their names called within the first few rounds and beyond during the QMJHL draft on June 7th and 8th.
The excitement leading up to the draft day is a year in the making, but for many young players and their families it’s a lifetime of dreams.
That’s what makes it so hard for players and families that don’t find themselves on the list or get selected. On a day that should be so momentous, for some it ends in disappointment. That’s part of the process, not everyone can get drafted.
Placement on the QMJHL CSR final list is sometimes used as an indicator or gauge whether to attend or not attend. Obviously, if the player and their family are taking a different path within the game, they would never attend, but there are a few stories over the course of the drafts history where the player then attends the draft at the last minute so the more desired organization selects them. Back-channel overtures have happened and no doubt will continue to happen, which is unfortunate, but certainly part of the business.
One can only imagine those players and their families that attend or go in with an open mind about getting drafted versus those families that go in banking on the inevitable happening. There’s no guarantees on draft day.
Player interviews and contact aside there’s still no guarantees on draft day. “If you’re available or are there when we pick, we are leaning towards picking you.”
Things can drastically change almost instantly and they have on draft day. Teams are very cautious these days especially when it comes to late round selections. Agents are cautious when it comes to directing players to attend or not attend the draft. Nevertheless, one can only assume the disappointment and devastation for these players and their families when they don’t hear their name.
Players supposedly “fall” in the draft all of the time. So, the obvious question is how can they fall out of the draft? Well, that’s a question that sometimes can’t be answered. Scouts have their picks or “guys” they want to select in the later rounds. Sometimes that changes as well, especially when last minute trades happen.
That’s what adds to the disappointment and dismay.
Families didn’t have to make the decision to attend or not attend because of it being virtual, but this year and last is obviously different.
One can only hope that everyone who attends the live in person draft today will hear their name called.
Some organizations still ask if the player and their family are going to attend the draft. That’s a really tough question to ask. Perhaps it’s a gauge for the organization to judge the players intentions on playing, reporting and committing to the franchise, who knows, but there are no guarantees when it comes to draft day.
I really hope everyone in Moncton will hear their name called. There’s no guarantees on draft day,
For those that hear their name on June 7th and 8th, be grateful, after the draft that’s where the real work begins. For those that don’t hear their name, that doesn’t mean you’re not good enough, it might mean that you’re not ready yet, never give up, keep working and don’t let anyone take away your passion and love for the game.
There’s tons of undrafted stories out there to prove that a different path or the unconventional route is always the most rewarding.
For those players that don’t necessarily like where you’re ranked or rated, control what you can control, focus on getting better each and every day leading up to the draft and be ready to prove people right or prove people wrong. Prove to all those people that have supported you over the years that they’re right. Prove all those people or critics wrong for ranking/rating where you’re on the list and remember it only takes one team to list you and draft you, be prepared for that opportunity and take full advantage of it!
Best of luck to all of the draft eligible players and their families moving forward.
Keep it locked here for more 2024 QMJHL updates and stories!
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