There’s No More “Long Shots”

“There’s No More Long Shots

There’s no more long shots in hockey. There, I said it.

In the era of advanced signings and hockey promises there’s no more long shots and if there are, they’re incredibly rare and should be celebrated.

Remember a time in sports especially in hockey where the kid came out of no where to make the team, those days are long gone now for several reasons one being the aforementioned advanced signings, an other being exposure or awareness. Everyone knows where the kid played their stats or their resume, but you see that’s also the main problem especially in minor hockey. I’ve written countless articles about the tryout process, hockey resumes or the “Extra A” mentality, but all those aspects impact rosters and almost eliminate/eradicate the “long shot.”

One doesn’t have to define the “long shot” player, but there’s no room or a very short runway for those kinds of players. Some “hockey people” provide “opportunities” or that’s what they call them, for “long shot” stories to develop, but it’s under somewhat of a fake façade or premise. At upper levels like Major Junior, the promises still exist, but the competition is fierce and some players outperform others and make the team, perhaps you can call that a “long shot,” but you see there’s a competitive nature to that process and it’s more clear cut or evident there than other levels.

Young players that find a way to keep hanging around Major Junior camps always make for intriguing storylines. There’s no storylines like that in the tryout process in U18 AAA or even U15 AAA for that matter, because over 98% of the players, parents and the entire rink know or knows who is already on the team. As for the other 2% they’re working their arses off for potentially one or two spots and then somehow those spots disappear after QMJHL camps break and a highly touted player re-enters the fold.

Some associations or organizations across the hockey world still hold off or wait on advanced signings and they’re tryout process amongst every level benefits from that decision because the hockey and intensity is amped up, but more importantly every player knows where they stand.

There’s no secret deals or back channel overtures or behind the scenes bull shit in those associations and teams.

There’s no more long shots in hockey anymore because that’s how “they” or some powers that be like it and want it to be, because it eradicates the tough calls, hockey resumes or parental cliques from the process. It makes there jobs easy and that’s how they want it. They take solace in the fact that the tryout process at all levels runs smoothly and that there’s no controversies. They hide behind their traditions and their “process” because it’s safe, that’s the way they conduct business, that’s their culture and no one dares to discredit or challenge that.

To all the “long shots” out there that might have read this one, I realize I didn’t paint the best or most optimistic pictures, but I’m here to say never lose your passion for the game or hope. Keep putting yourself in those situations, because eventually one person that understands and appreciates your character, resiliency and your true value will pick you!

There’s really nothing like a “long shot” story which turns into a “go to” impact player. That’s a story that everyone can get behind.