Vancouver Giants Head Scout Terry Bonner recently shared some insight about scouting during a visit to the Pat Quinn Classic Bantam tournament taking place in Burnaby. The following article is presented by the Pat Quinn Classic Facebook Page and was written and published on Friday, December 29th.

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We sat down to watch a Bantam game with WHL Vancouver Giants Head Scout Terry Bonner, and talked about what he looks for at tournaments like the Pat Quinn Classic.

He says, of course there are a lot of players to see, so he always looks to the players with the letters – assistants and captains. They’ll usually be the top players and you go from there.

Looking at different positions, Terry tells us he is watching for a few different things.

For forwards, he likes to see quick feet, centres with the strongest work ethic and if they’re winning draws. Wingers, they need to be making themselves available and never be stationary. How able are they to make room along the wall?

Defense need to be able to take a hit and keep moving. Do they see a hit coming and incorporate it in to their play? Back and lateral skating is paramount here, and making that pass tape to tape. How are they keeping the puck alive on the PP?

For all players, what are they doing when they don’t have the puck? Do they want to get the puck?

He says he thinks being a goaltender could be the hardest job. How are the young guys tracking the puck in the zone? What’s their agility like? Terry makes a note that he likes watching the goalies in the warm-up in particular to see their movement. And don’t forget, how does the goalie react after they’re scored on? Do they refocus or get emotional?

So there you have it, interesting insight straight from a top scout on what they’re looking for at showcases like the Pat Quinn Classic.