Page 30 - Washington Little Capitals Season Program 2016-17

WHA T A RE SCOUTS

LOOKING FOR?

By Dan Jablonic comes to play every shift, doesn?t play dirty work, dedication, determination to get
but plays hard? ? The Maple Leafs run better, and being a good person who can get
spread-sheet based programs to generate along with your teammates. We want
A few years ago, the Toronto Star published draft lists based on objectively-rated skills. people who are good citizens first and
an article in which they asked a number of But Dave Morrison, the Leafs? director of foremost. I believe that mindset is why our
scouts what qualities were most important amateur scouting, said his staff spends a program is getting stronger with each
to them in a hockey prospect. The answers great deal of time debating ?intangibles? passing year. There is a lot of talent in the
were not what most might expect. Here?s an ? the subjective side ? when it comes to a world, but character is a much rarer
excerpt: player. ?Things like the work ethic, the commodity. And in the game of hockey,
[OHL Director of Central Scouting] Jack character, the strength of commitment. So character is a difference-maker. Players
Ferguson always knew Tim Brent would with character make their teammates better.
make the NHL. Brent?s not the fastest In the game of hockey When their teammates are better, our teams
skater, the hardest hitter or the best shooter, are better ? and ultimately, our entire
and he?s not particularly big. But Ferguson, today character is a program is better. There are lots of kids out
recently retired after 38 years of scouting, there across the U.S. and Canada who want
saw something in Brent that can?t be judged difference-maker the same things our players do ? the chance
on a report card. Ferguson saw character. to play at the next level. Our players are
?He?s probably got more character than many different things. It may not be competing against them for those chances
ability,? Ferguson says. ?In this day and obvious,? says Morrison. ?The background down the line. What will separate our
age, character is almost as important as of the player, where did he come from? players from the pack is character. And by
playing ability?? [Brent] made it because Where is that potential? Can we work with the way, you may be wondering what
of his character, the kind of person he is, this player? Can we make him better?? The happened to Tim Brent, the kid with more
the student of the game in him who wanted belief is if a player works hard every shift character than ability? He went on to play
to get better every shift, every game, every and every practice ? a sign of character ? more than 200 NHL games for the Maple
season. He didn?t quit. He continued to he has more upside, more chances to Leafs, Anaheim Ducks, Pittsburgh
develop his skills. That?s what Ferguson improve. Penguins, Chicago Blackhawks, and
saw when he first noticed him and had Carolina Hurricanes, plus three more
Character. It?s what the Toronto Maple seasons in the KHL. He?s still playing
urged the St. Mike?s Majors to take him in
Leafs look for. It?s is what NCAA and today with the AHL?s Lehigh Valley
the midget draft. ?I?m just looking for the
Junior teams look for. Phantoms. Character matters.
kid who just seems to want it more than
anybody else,? says Ferguson. ?Tim Brent It?s not always skill that gets you on a team. That?s the lesson we are trying to teach our
is my idea of a hockey player, a guy that It?s those little things that matter ? hard kids.
30
WWW.LITTLECAPS.COM