Chris Pryor
A pro scout on technology in scouting
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- Last Updated on Thursday, 08 November 2012 17:16
By Chris Pryor
Much of today’s communication and information is based on the Internet and has made day-to-day life easier and faster. Over the years, between video via the Internet and the World Wide Web at your fingertips, the scouting world has seen drastic changes.
Computer technology in scouting has become a valuable resource tool. You are now able to pull up game highlights literally minutes after they happen. Game clips on potential prospects are just a click of the mouse away. Information is endless, good or bad. It can help expose strengths or weaknesses, or drive home a point a scout wants to make to verify his opinions.
A pro scout on player size
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- Last Updated on Thursday, 01 November 2012 16:57
By Chris Pryor
The game has changed dramatically over the years. From the rules, equipment modifications, standard ice size, etc., but the one area that has stayed constant is the size of the players keep getting bigger.
Now, there are exceptions. If you look at the 30 teams in the league there are undersized guys on almost every team. From Martin St. Louis, Tobias Enstrom, Nathan Gerbe, Brian Gionta, etc., there are small players playing and playing very well, BUT it is more the exception than the rule.
A pro scout on hockey sense
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- Last Updated on Thursday, 18 October 2012 16:52
By Chris Pryor
Hockey sense: If it is not one the most important aspects of a player’s make-up, it might be the most valued that a scout looks for. A player with minor deficiencies in his game (i.e. lack of size or speed) can overcome these obstacles if he has better intelligence on the ice than the guy next to him. Areas such as strength, speed and even skill can be worked on, and over time improved to some degree, but the one component that for the most part stays constant is your hockey IQ.
A pro scout on hockey training
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- Last Updated on Thursday, 25 October 2012 16:00
By Chris Pryor
I have been around the game a few years and over the course of time, the training routine of a hockey player has changed. Not too long ago a workout would consist of just pumping iron in the weight room. Then the European intervention came into play with plyometrics, leaping, bounding, etc.
Flash forward to the world we live in today for a young hockey player. There are programs abound to choose from. You don’t have to look too hard to find a personal trainer or training center that specializes in training for hockey.
Questions for a pro scout
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- Last Updated on Thursday, 04 October 2012 17:38
By Chris Pryor
At what age do hockey players get looked at by NHL scouts?
Because of the parameters of draft eligibility (18, 19 and 20 year olds) scouts usually focus on players that fall into this age category. In saying that, there are tournaments for 17 year olds that are well scouted but since those players cannot be drafted until the following year the majority of the time is spent on Draft eligible players.
How do you go about getting on a list or on a scout’s radar?
If you’re a good player in today’s game, whether you are from Minnesota, Arizona, Massachusetts or Florida, you will be seen. There are just too many leagues out there for kids to “go under the radar”. Not only are the pros watching but the juniors/colleges are there also and a lot of the time they are the ones that first see these players.
How will a lockout affect NHL scouting?
The lockout effects everyone involved in the NHL in one form or another. The one part of the game that it doesn’t have a huge impact on is the amateur side. High school, prep school, junior and college still carry on, and as long as they are playing, the scouts will be watching.
Chris Pryor is the director of hockey operations for the Philadelphia Flyers. He is in charge of the amateur and pro scouting departments. A native of St. Paul, Pryor spent eight seasons as a scout for the Flyers. He played parts of six seasons in the NHL with the Minnesota North Stars and New York Islanders. If you have a question for a pro hockey scout, e-mail it to
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