Hockey a year-round commitment for top prospects
Very few hockey players make it to the NHL on natural talent alone, and even fewer can stay there based solely on their physical ability. It also takes a remarkable level of dedication that doesn’t end when the regular hockey season ends. While other teenagers are going on summer vacation or working part-time jobs, the world’s top hockey prospects are working on sharpening their games.
Quite simply, the only way for young players to continually improve their physical and mental approach on the ice is by challenging themselves to play with and against the top players around the world in their age group. The progress is incremental and, if all goes well, by the time the player is eligible for the NHL Entry Draft, he is able to compete successfully for his national junior (Under-18 or, in special cases, Under-20) team.
A player’s selection in the Entry Draft is a reward for years of sacrifice and commitment made not only by the draftee, but by his family as well. But a player’s developmental work only gets harder after his selection.
A minority of draft picks will ever skate so much as a single NHL shift and even fewer will go on to have significant careers. Unless a player is a once-a-generation talent like Sidney Crosby, there is still significant room for improvement from the ages of 18 until the player’s early 20s in order to reach the NHL.
NHL.com - Futures
Hockey a year-round commitment for top prospects
Hockey a year-round commitment for top prospects
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