The career of a major junior hockey player lasts about three years. Hence, scouting the most promising players is a priority for the growth and success of member clubs. Year after year, each team must give opportunities to a large number of rookies, usually between six and ten. They are given the opportunity to replace 19 and 20 year-old veterans who have graduated to higher level or players who have not lived up to expectations. Approximately 140 rookies try to crack QMJHL team line-ups every year.

Scouting areas

Which areas do rookies come from? The following chart gives some insight.

* This number may change as the number of American players is growing.

Scouting

It is mainly with the selection of the most promising players from the midget level that a team rebuilds itself in order to reach and maintain a level of excellence. Each team can select, in turn, up to twelve 15 or 16 year-old players from Quebec, the Atlantic Provinces and New England at its entry draft which is held every June. This major event attracts team scouts who scope the eastern parts of Canada and the U.S. to identify the most promising players, observe their progress and try to forecast their impact in major junior hockey. Sound decisions in the first few rounds can greatly influence a team’s success level for years to come. Out of the approximately twelve players selected in the entry draft and the few free agent pick invitees, only four or five players will eventually make the team. Rookies who fail to make the team must continue their development in the minor leagues and try to grab the opportunity the next time around.

Central Scouting

QMJHL central scouting provides the eighteen teams with assistance in identifying, assessing and scouting the most promising players from Quebec, the Atlantic Provinces and the six States within its territory.

Central Scouting is comprised of twelve scouts who give teams massive amounts of information regarding players registered with elite leagues, schedules, tournaments, etc. Central Scouting also provides teams with player evaluations. These evaluations are published on a list which is released every year on May 1^st. The evaluations of Central Scouting are meant to give teams insight as to which roles players are projected to assume once they make the step to major junior hockey.

Some of the aspects considered during the evaluation

As mentioned, when scouts observe a 15 or 16 year-old player, they try to forecast his impact in areas such as speed, athleticism, intensity, passion, commitment, aggressiveness, strength of character, reaction time and teamwork.

Scouts often regroup qualities and talent in four basic categories with each given the approximate same weight in terms of importance. A player must be excellent in at least one category and very good in the remaining three. A player who has too many shortcomings will find it hard to achieve his goal of playing at the highest level.

Scouts take all of these characteristics into account when evaluating a player. When 15, 16 or 17 year-old players assess their chances of playing major junior hockey, they should take into account all of these factors. With lots of practice, most shortcomings can be overcome. While a player cannot do anything about his height, he can work on improving his physical strength, endurance, synchronism, etc.

Assessment mistakes

Usually, there is a good balance between what has been anticipated and how players develop over the years. However, a favourable evaluation made by Central Scouting is not a token for success. Looking back, some first round picks have disappointed while some late picks have enjoyed very successful careers.

An overlooked or wrongly assessed player may always, with the required strength of character, show what he can do and reach his goal, play and play often while helping a major junior team win. There is nothing more stimulating for team management than to see a player reach his potential by proving scouts wrong.

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CENTRAL SCOUTING STAFF 2 0 10 – 2 0 1 1   S E A S O N

Director
Patrick Charbonneau
Coordinators
Alain Charbonneau	Quebec / Atlantic
Vincent Montalbano	USA
International Scouting Services	Europe
Scouts
Robert Goulet	Quebec – Montréal Métro Region
Donald Desrosiers	Quebec – Montréal Métro Region
Marc Coudé	Quebec – Saguenay Region
Patrick Lachance	Quebec – Quebec City Region
Adam Thériault	Quebec – Quebec City Region
François Graveline	Quebec – Richelieu Region
Steven Callahan	New Foundland
Luc Michaud	New Brunswick / PEI
Bob Doyle	Nova Scotia