The OHL draft is always an interesting day for those involved in minor hockey or jr. hockey. Beyond the players eligible and hopeful of hearing their names called by these Major Junior clubs, organizations and coaching staffs that have played a part in the development of these players over the course of their minor hockey careers are also eager to hear the results. For any of us in the hockey business, there's a tremendous feeling of gratification knowing you've played a role in an achievement like being drafted.
For us in the GMHL, it is also an important day.
There are a couple of hundred kids who will be facing an important decision after today. Any of those players that have been selected in the 3rd or 4th round on down to the 15th, must face the reality of where they stand in the pecking order and realize how crucial their next decision is in their hockey career - where they're gonna play next year!
Some will certainly be good enough to crack a Tier II lineup, though we've spent enough time debating, or should I say concluding, the lack of development for a 16 year old practicing twice a week and doing stats in the stands for the most part.
Even if you take out those that still believe their best path is to 'stay in the loop' of sanctioned hockey by taking that route, there are the rest that must ask themselves the next serious question: "Do I play Midget hockey that gets little attention from higher levels, practices twice a week, where I have to pay to get in to my own games, where I really have no arena to call my home or dressing room to call my sanctuary, where I play games in front of little more than my friends and family, etc. OR do I look at the Jr. A experience of the GMHL, that costs the same if not less, that provides a real home rink, where I have a dressing room and a stall with my name on it, where I'm on the ice almost every day of the week, where higher level scouts and recruiters have already committed to following closely and offering opportunities, and on and on and on!
Don't misunderstand! There are some great organizations and quality coaching staffs in Midget AAA hockey. However, you have to be honest about the quantity and quality of the overall experience in comparison.
So it is with great interest that teams in our new expanded loop will be following the proceedings today to ascertain which players will be in just that predicament and facing an important decision in their hockey lives, a decision with tremendous future ramifications - "where is my hockey and personal development best served next season".
Last season, we lost a lot of players, officials and believe it or not, even teams because of the uncertainty of this program even getting off the ground, and you know what, rightly so. Leagues have come and gone in the blink of an eye in the past, and no one on our side faulted anyone for not choosing our program last year because of this. It was completely understandable!
However, now we've established ourselves (we've only been in the hockey business for over 20 years, lol) as a legitimate opportunity for players to receive some of the finest hockey and personal development around, there's no excuses anymore!
I would never say the answer is easy. However, when you add it all up, the answer should be the same most of the time - the GMHL.
Use the following link to keep track of today's proceedings, and make note of some of the names who are drafted beyond the first few rounds. You just might see a number of them in a GMHL uniform next season.
http://www.ontariohockeyleague.com/ps2007/
I want to congratulate all those in the draft who had terrific years, and are experiencing the thrill of having their names called today.
And congratulations to Ryan O'Reilly, who played for the '91 Jr. Canadiens, the team I had coached for the previous 3 seasons, only to be denied the chance to see this team through their draft year, thanks to the brain trust in the GTHL. I wish Ryan nothing but the best and congratulations on the Jack Ferguson Award as the player selected first overall in the OHL Priority Selection.
PS I was around enough to see Ryan play a number of times, through the season and playoffs, and even in some training with us when I was still on the ice with the Canadiens last spring. He was, and is the real deal, and no question, #1 overall pick in my prediction a long time ago. He dominated almost every shift he was on the ice, and believe it or not, one of the most telling things about him - even his shift changes were perfect most of the time. That's the sign of a kid who's focused and thinking all the time.