Scouting Reports
NCAA Early Departure Breakdown
Posted on April 25, 2016
The number of NCAA players in the NHL has grown dramatically over the past 25 years, from a small minority to nearly one-third of the league. There are several factors contributing to this trend: the increase in NCAA team budgets for recruiting, facilities and high profile coaches; the rise in American born players being drafted;…
U16 Tier 1 USA Nationals Recap
Posted on April 19, 2016
It felt strange getting out of the hotel room, stepping out to 85-degree weather, and passing palm trees on the way to the rink at the end of March. The tournament ran from March 31 through April 4, a five-day event that featured 32 of the best Tier 1 Midget AAA teams in the US. The event was held in San Jose at the Sharks practice facility, a four sheet complex with a restaurant upstairs that became a hangout for the NCAA/CHL/USHL/NAHL scouts putting in long hours in the rinks. The tournament was hosted by the San Jose Sharks youth program and they did a nice job keeping scouts fed, handing out programs, and printing shirts, hats, sweatshirts, etc.
NTDP U17 Roster Breakdown
Posted on April 18, 2016
After two years of scouting and evaluating the 2000 birth year class, USA Hockey’s National Development Program announced its U17 Team roster. This announcement came just a few short weeks after the NTDP Evaluation Camp which included the top 48 players in the US as determined by USA Hockey scouts and staff. We sat down with the Director of Player Personnel, Ryan Hardy, before the Evaluation Camp to ask about the program and the selection process.
USA Hockey U14 National Tournament
Posted on April 18, 2016
First, I would be remiss if I did not point out what a wonderful host city Anchorage, Alaska made for a tournament of this magnitude. From the facility, The Subway Sport Center, and volunteers, to the many local fans who came out to watch these impressive young hockey players compete. Around every corner was a friendly face looking to strike up a conversation about the sport of hockey and more specifically the national championships taking place in their backyard.
Neutral Zone, LLC launches first-of-its-kind website
Posted on April 17, 2016
Neutral Zone, LLC launches first-of-its-kind amateur hockey scouting website Site covers top NCAA & CHL prospects from throughout North America Neutral Zone, LLC today announced the launch of its new website, https://www.NeutralZone.net, a first-of-its-kind amateur hockey scouting and ranking site that identifies, ranks and profiles the top National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and Canadian Hockey…
Making the Grade: An exclusive look inside USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program
Posted on April 17, 2016
By Neutral Zone staff with support from Ryan Hardy, NTDP Director of Player Personnel Neutral Zone staff recently attended USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program Evalutation Camp held in Plymouth, Michigan, and along with getting to see how roughly the top 50 ‘2000 birth year players in the U.S. – with a few exceptions – stacked up…
