Are you looking for spring tournament teams to join, hockey schools to attend, and tips from a seasoned scout? You’ve come to the right place. Some time ago, I met Bob Gergerich when our paths crossed on the long and winding road of player evaluation and development. Since that time, Bob and I have collaborated on several different projects with hockey, of course, always taking center stage. As a former player and current owner/director of IHC Hockey, Bob’s knowledge and passion have provided extremely valuable guidance to thousands of young players seeking to advance their careers. To add to an already overflowing schedule, Bob also scouts for both the North American Hockey League as well as the company I currently scout for, International Scouting Services. Because of his experience, coupled with the fact that he is one of the most honest and hard-working people I’ve met in the hockey world, I asked him to provide me with some material to add to this post. This is the very insightful information Bob sent to me, and I hope you find it helpful as well:
I started the International Hockey College (IHC Hockey) as a teenager while playing junior hockey in Canada. I realized there was a need for a top quality hockey school, not just a camp where the students attended to see and skate with their favorite NHL players. Now entering its thirty-eighth season, IHC is known as the number one hockey school in Pennsylvania and has expanded to worldwide status in the hockey instruction and player representation business. The IHC is now in the United States, Canada, and Europe. The IHC is a full time, full service hockey business, dedicated to the development of hockey players.
I am also a family advisor and a PHPA (Professional Hockey Players Association) certified agent, and a scout for the North American Hockey League. I was also a scout for the Guelph Storm of the Ontario Hockey League. As a scout, I am scouting players between the ages of 15 and 19 to play Junior ‘A’ hockey. There are many qualities that I look for when scouting players. The first thing I look at is hockey sense. Hockey sense includes the player’s vision, decision making, and anticipation. It also has a lot to do with how comfortable the player is with the speed at this level. I am looking for players who can let the game come to him/her, not players who chase the game.
The second thing that I am looking for is skating ability. I am looking for efficient skaters, not necessarily the most skilled skaters. I have scouted many players who were very skilled skaters, but they allowed too many skating maneuvers take their focus away from their game. For example, many skilled skaters are using the heel to heel (spread eagle) skating maneuver way too often when the situation doesn’t even call for it. Players have to have a good quick start to play at the next level as well as good edge control.
The third thing I look for is puck skills, players who can control and protect the puck with speed. I am also looking for players who can make good decisions while protecting the puck and while skating with the puck in traffic. For shooting, I am looking for players who can get the shot off quickly, which is more important than how hard they shoot.
The fourth thing that I look for is for players who finish their checks and also have a good concept of angling. It is also important for the player to have a good stick.
The last thing and also what could be the deal breaker is the player’s attitude. This is the reason that I like to watch live hockey instead of watching players on television or the computer. When you are watching the player live, I can see how the player interacts with his/her teammates on the ice and on the bench. I can see how they interact with their coach and referees and how they react to adversity. Also, the player’s body language is very important.
Robert Gergerich
IHC Hockey
NAHL Central Scouting
412-835-3801