Evaluating Exposure, Scouting Opportunities, and Cost at Junior Camps
Every minor league hockey player knows that their success for the upcoming year is dependent on getting the necessary exposure during the off season. In saying that, the best way to gain exposure during the spring and summer months is to attend multiple junior camps. Although costly depending on the desirability of the organization, camps at this level are a sure way to get the attention of prospective coaches for the upcoming season, scouts for future drafts, and NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) officials looking to fill positions on college level hockey teams in the next few years.
Common elements of junior-level camps include: a combine test, evaluation of agility skills, brain and eye-sight testing, and assessments of on ice abilities. The combine test is often utilized to assess the strength of the player through circuits of: spin class, short sprints, push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups, chin-ups, and squats; all of which are done in quick succession. The goal is to evaluate endurance and strengths of the athletes. The agility test is an on and off ice series of tests which evaluate: balance, speed, and stamina. These are very difficult but are indicative of a player’s work ethic during the off-season; this is extremely important for scouts and NCAA officials looking for players to play semi-professional and college level hockey. The brain and eye-sight testing is called the “mind gym” which asks the player to identify as quickly as possible which light most recently lit up. This test is similar to a whack-a-mole game at a carnival because the goal is to touch the light as fast as possible. Finally, the most lengthy assessment is the on-ice testing. Here, the player must complete a set of drills to assess: speed, endurance, stamina, strength, balance, skating abilities, puck-handling skills, and most importantly listening skills and attitude. These tests will form the basis on which scouts and future coaches will engage with the players in the future.
Although junior camps are highly recommended to increase a player’s exposure to the necessary people to make future goals a reality, a potential downside is the cost. Some of these camps are extremely costly and can range anywhere from $500 to $1500 per camp. This cost is influenced by location, rank of the team, and amount of significant scouts and officials they can attract to their facility. Based on these factors, the list below ranks some of the best camps in order from best to mediocre and attempts to balance both cost and exposure.
OJHL (Ontario Junior Hockey League) Combine in Oshawa, Ontario
The OJHL combine is listed at number 1 as the best junior camp in Ontario because all of the scouts, coaches, and coaching staff for the OJHL are in attendance. At this camp, you are sure to be exposed to all of the OJHL teams as every team and their organizations are in attendance to scout the best players. This camp is invite-only, meaning that only players who have been scouted previously are invited to partake in this opportunity. Since it is invite-only, some of the best prospects will be featured. This is what attracts the scouts, including NCAA scouts from the United States looking for potential college athletes, to the OJHL Combine.
Not only does this camp feature more exposure, but this camp also is also cost-effective. Priced at $800 per player, this camp provides for exceptional exposure, and this camp allows each player more ice-time and features a longer combine. The players are coached by real coaches from OJHL teams, which provides the opportunity to make contact with coaches. If you are invited to the OJHL combine, this is an opportunity that you should not pass up as 85% of the players who attend are invited to a team’s main camp try-out.
Hawkesbury Hawks Junior A Camp in Ottawa, Ontario
Listed at number 2, the Hawkesbury Hawks Junior A camp is a must-attend for exposure as the Hawks are the best team in CCHL (Central Canada Hockey League), one of the best junior leagues in Canada. The Hawks have won many championships and in the past 10 years, and this coaching staff has won the championship 7 times. This is a team that you definitely want to know your name, and because they are a team at the top of their league, they draw a lot of high-profile scouts.
This camp is also a favourite because of its very reasonable price point of $500. This $500 includes access to the entire camp for the weekend and includes food and sports drinks. After being split into groups, each group is coached by a member of the team’s organization while the Hawk’s head coach observes all. This camp ensures a fun weekend which is packed with learning and player development, definitely one you do not want to miss.
Nepean Raiders Junior A Camp in Ottawa, Ontario
At number 3, the Nepean Raiders are also in the CCHL, and are a top team in the league, coming in second after the Hawkesbury Hawks. While the team is successful this camp is an opportunity for the Raiders to choose a select number of prospects to fill very specific roles on their team. Unlike other camps, at the Raiders, the roster for the upcoming season is largely set in stone and only few lucky prospects will be securing a spot. This should not be viewed as completely negative, as the value of this camp is also in the scouts and officials it attracts from other organizations and leagues.
Priced at $600, the Raiders camp is reasonable and effectively balances exposure and costs. Personally, I think I place the Hawkesbury Hawks Camp above Nepean because the Hawks are more successful as the top team in their league, their roster is wide open, and their camp is also slightly cheaper while not slacking on ice-time, exposure, and scouts.
Georgetown Raiders Junior A Camp in Halton Hills, Ontario
At number 4, the Georgetown Raiders is a mediocre camp as they are currently in the rebuilding stage. As a bottom team, their roster is wide open and they have invested in trying to find player prospects. This means that there are many spots available for players who may not get invited to the smaller, more elite camps. The fact that they are trying to rebuild also accounts for their huge camp, and extensive coaching staff which is assigned to each group.
Despite this, the cost is too high for what the experience includes. Priced at $900, the Georgetown Raiders Camp is the most expensive camp on this list. Also, this is a prospect camp and players who are invited to the main try-out camp and are looking to make the Raiders team will need to pay more money to officially try-out. While, located close to Toronto and organizing a big camp, the poor performance of this team does not attract many scouts. All of this makes for an experience which is not cost-effective and should be considered when a player lacks better options.
Thorold Blackhawks Junior B Camp in Thorold, Ontario
At number 5, the Thorold Blackhawks is last on this list because this is a Junior B, not a Junior A camp. The Blackhawks are one of the best teams in the GOJHL (Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League). This camp features a great coaching staff and these coaches were once players for the Blackhawks. This means that they are devoted to the success of the organizations. Although scouts from Junior A teams frequently attend, scouts from NCAA and other organizations rarely attend. As such this camp functions as a try-out for the Blackhawks team for the upcoming year, and also is a chance for younger players to be scouted as potential call-ups.
This camp is the best priced camp and is lower than the average camp at $150 per player. This price accounts for the general lack of exposure, but the excellent coaching and development which the camp offers. Players looking to be part of the Blackhawks organization in the upcoming season or in future seasons should not miss this opportunity to meet the coaching staff and have the coaching staff become invested in them as players.
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