QuestionHi I'm a 23 year old goaltender in Canada who stopped playing between the ages of 11-21 but am very into it again, see potential in myself and my teammates have told me the same. I am wondering what kinds of leagues I could join to start working my way up to the big leagues?
AnswerHello Jay! Needless to say the odds are not that high for you! That is not to say it is 0!!
If you can get a foot in the door doing something that you are PASSIONATE about... Give it your best shot. Whether you make it or not - at least you won't be carrying that "WHAT IF" with you!!
Now I am not too familiar with specific teams that are looking for players - but I do have a few links you can start looking into. And you can also google any of the teams you might be interested in and just send them your resume! Just like any other job! You need to apply - get an interview (tryout) ... and then go from there! If you can throw in some video clips or some YOU TUBE video of you playing - that can help your case too. It's alot like marketing a product... YOU!! The better the packaging, presentation and product - the better the PRICE you can get!!
You can look through this website (below) and or sign up for a camp... you might benefit from getting yourself signed up with an agent.
http://esportsdesk.com/leagues/custom_page.cfm?leagueID=13721&clientID=4226&page
There are several leagues you can look up -- SPHL (http://www.thesphl.com/), UHL (http://www.theuhl.com/) and CHL (http://www.centralhockeyleague.com/)to name three, or if you want to go to Europe - you can check out the Elite League (http://www.eliteleague.co.uk/) OR you can also look to http://www.pointswestinc.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=frontpage&Itemid=
You can also buy the Hockey News or maybe look up their site - they will occasionally have an ad or two in there about OPEN FREE AGENT CAMPS (see: MAIL: P.O. Box 113454
Pittsburgh Pa. USA 15241
PHONE: 412-835-3801
FAX: 412-835-3801
EMAIL:
[email protected] (click to email)
WEB SITE: http://www.ihchockey.com
http://www.ihchockey.com/news.htm) for Minor Pro players who want to get scouted and maybe get an "agent". These camps will get you exposure and from there you may get a tryout... be prepared as sometimes it is in Europe... It pays decent in Europe -- but it can be a trek if you are not used to it!
Know that there are alot of "players" on the market -- so what will make it tougher for you is if you don't have a recent track record... i.e. recent stats? references. However, some coaches are more open to 'risking' than others - you may have to PR yourself for that.
Notwithstanding -- if you can stand OUT each and every game they watch you play -- you may get a shot somewhere and the key will be for you to keep the same level of play (or higher) going.
Feel free to follow up with anything if I missed something or if you wish that I elaborate.
Thanks and good luck with the puck!
Martial
