Chris Pryor
Reversing the trend
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- Last Updated on Thursday, 24 January 2013 16:07
By Chris Pryor
Over the years, for whatever the reason, our sport has gotten younger and younger. From the NHL down to the high school level we are increasingly getting younger. Is this the right path?
At the NHL level, it’s a young man’s game. Not only does the speed make it conducive for young legs, but the schedule makes it increasingly harder for old legs to keep up. There was a time when freshmen in college were not allowed to participate. In high school you have freshmen (14-year-olds) playing against seniors (18-year-olds). At this level in particular, you not only have the obvious difference in age but the wide gap in how a 14-year-old sees life vs. an 18-year-old. Is there a correct formula? When is the right time?
Hats off to Team USA
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- Last Updated on Thursday, 17 January 2013 17:31
By Chris Pryor
Following up from an article that I previously wrote on the World Juniors (U.S. vs. Canada), I want to give kudos to USA Hockey for their gold medal performance in Ufa, Russia. If you follow sports, you know that when winning a championship, one doesn’t necessarily have to be the best team from start to finish, but you need to be the best team when it counts and the U.S. was just that.
A pro scout on the U.S. vs. Canada
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- Last Updated on Friday, 04 January 2013 17:34
By Chris Pryor
It’s that time of year, the World Junior Hockey Tournament. By the time this publication comes out, the vast majority of the tournament will have already been played. For the U.S.-born player, it is a big event but it is hard to compare it to the emotional ride it takes our neighbor to the north.
From Dec. 26 to Jan. 5, the World Junior frenzy puts a stranglehold on the country of Canada. It is front page news weeks before and holds that position right until the last day’s final buzzer. TSN (Canada’s equilivant to ESPN) has these players front and center as ESPN would to the NFL leading up to the Super Bowl. These 18-20 year old hockey players are Hollywood celebrities for that time span.
So you want to scout?
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- Last Updated on Thursday, 10 January 2013 17:44
By Chris Pryor
The life of an amateur scout in the NHL might look somewhat glamorous looking in from the outside, but when you’re in their shoes, at times it is anything but that. However, If you were to poll the 30 teams’ amateur staffs, I’m pretty sure that they wouldn’t trade their job for anything. To watch hockey and to get paid while doing it might look like the perfect job – and for the most part it is – but it doesn’t come without hard work and a lot of sacrifice.
Having just returned from watching the World Juniors in Ufa, Russia (you might have to get the map out), it really makes you appreciate what these guys go through. Giving up the majority of their holiday to fly halfway across the world isn’t easy. It’s not only a 12-hour time change (Central time) but a two-day traveling affair each way there and back. It didn’t matter if you flew through Moscow, Prague or Istanbul, it was a journey. From dollars to rubles and daylight to dark, it’s quite the contrast.
A pro scout on a layoff from hockey
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- Last Updated on Thursday, 20 December 2012 18:45
By Chris Pryor
Whether you’re coming off a lockout or you are a young player that hasn’t played since spring, the question arises on how to or what is the best way to get back into shape after a prolonged layoff.
Obviously there is a considerable difference in levels of play from the NHL and PeeWee/Bantam players, but the same constant holds true, it’s much easier to get into shape if you never get out of shape.
