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, top prospects games or showcase tournaments like the Q Cup.
QMJHL scouts and of course the Q’s Central Scouting Agency the CSR have been following these players all season long and the Q Cup selection process is no doubt intriguing, but happens if a player isn’t within the Top 80. Well, the Q Cup is just another chapter in the draft year journey, but being omitted might cause quite the stir in some hockey circles, but it might be fair to judge a player to harshly who wasn’t selected.
Showcase tournaments like the Q Cup are somewhat important due in large part to the timing, it’s all about multiple viewings, but late season viewings are always pretty influential and helps the scouts formulate their final lists.
Let’s get something straight, the teams will have their Top 80 on their draft boards, the CSR will have theirs. It’s not the end of the world if a player gets left off these rosters, but it will no doubt feel like a disaster for parents and players that didn’t make the cut.
How many Atlantic Canadian’s will make the final cut and play in this year’s event? Perhaps that’s the most intriguing question of all especially given the ever changing landscape of hockey in this region.
Early and regular viewings are imperative, but scouts always want more and will definitely circle back to those players to get most up to date viewings near the end especially to see how they cope, handle and potentially excel vs other top end talent from Quebec.
The sacrifices all the top prospects and their families make is truly incredible.
Don’t get me wrong these year end 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 and shouldn’t be used as a final measuring stick, perhaps it’s best served as another indicator in the draft year process.
Are top showcase tournaments an accurate assessment of what a player can bring at the next level?
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 and seeing how this regions talent match up with Quebec. Gone are the days of Atlantic Canadian provinces being represented, now the blended teams reign supreme and rightfully so.
So, for all those that might still be asking the question are top prospects 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 the last and final showcase tournament of the year aside from those prospects still playing in the Telus Cup but by no means should this tournament make or break a prospects draft year, however a poor performance in the Q Cup could in fact lower a player’s draft stock.
Early rankings and lists can be misleading, it’s all about the full body of work and progression a player makes throughout their entire draft year not one or two weekends.
With all of the excitement comes a lot of pressure for all these young players. Let’s hope every player showcases well and plays their best, there’s a lot of time from now and June and a lot can change from that point to the day they hear their name called.
Congratulations to all those players and their families that made the final Q Cup 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.
As for Atlantic Canada, the amount of players named to these rosters will be interesting to see and as always where these players apply their craft also sheds some light on the situation in the region.
The Quick Shift 