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Post by timeclocker on Dec 21, 2023 14:34:08 GMT -4
Truro, N.S. (December 21, 2023) – The Maritime Junior Hockey League (MHL) is excited to announce it will be hosting the inaugural Maritime Hockey Summit from August 8th to 11th, 2024 in Fredericton, New Brunswick. This will be the largest event of its kind in the Maritimes, bringing future junior players together in one location with coaches, scouts, vendors, and fans.
The Maritime Hockey Summit is centred around development and scouting for players born from 2007 to 2009, starting August 8th with on-ice and off-ice testing as well as skating and skills development and in-class sessions. The Draft Division will be for those players born between 2007 to 2008, with initial invitations going out early in the new year to those players who have already been drafted to the MHL. Initial invitations for the Pre-Draft Division, players born in 2009, will be sent to those who took part in the Atlantic Challenge Cup in Moncton in October.
Teams for a showcase tournament at the Maritime Hockey Summit will be formed through a draft on Friday, August 9th. Players in the Draft Division will be selected to twelve teams, named after the MHL’s member teams. There will be eight teams in the Pre-Draft Division, named after the seven Canadian NHL teams plus the Red Wings. Coaches from all MHL teams will be participating as instructors during the event. Round-robin competition will begin following the draft, culminating in gold medal games in each division on Sunday, August 11th. Grant Harvey Centre will be the host arena for the Maritime Hockey Summit, with other local arenas in the Fredericton area also being used.
“This is an exciting announcement for an event that will bring all eyes in the hockey world in the region to the MHL,” says President Connor Cameron. “The Maritime Hockey Summit will give our twelve member teams the chance to see the league’s future stars and offer Maritime players an opportunity to showcase their talent while providing further development.”
The Maritime Hockey Summit will also include a Coaching Symposium. The MHL will be working with Hockey New Brunswick and the Hockey New Brunswick Officials Council to bring in speakers from all levels of the sport. A Hockey Expo will feature a trade show and expo for hockey companies and vendors to show their equipment, apparel, and technology to a wide audience from the region. Details will follow on the symposium and expo.
“We’re excited to work with the City of Fredericton to host an event of this magnitude,” says event Chairman Roger Shannon. “Any time you have the chance to bring 1,000 people to an area, it benefits not only those involved in the event itself, but the host city and local businesses. The Fredericton Red Wings are excited to act as the inaugural host.”
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Post by JPA on Dec 21, 2023 17:31:37 GMT -4
I like that they are doing something, and I realize it's tough to find a time period to make it work. Overall - bravo!
First off - it's a really nice commitment for all of the MHL coaches to already have opted in. The summer is already too short with Q training camps going in a day or two after the event - and that's a real benefit for the players to get some ice time. Much respect for the coaches to be all in!
Also looks like a lot of thought has gone into it as far as equipment dealers and a coaching seminar and everything else. They didn't come up with this overnight.
I guess the only question I have is what, exactly, it will do to benefit the MHL itself as far as drawing and showcasing players?
They will basically be showcasing their own draft picks from the past two seasons (2007 and 2008 born) to every other CJHL league as well as prep schools and the BCHL.
The Sid McNeill situation immediately pops to mind. He was showcased and snapped up by the BCHL - basically with the Caps and the MHL shooting themselves in the foot in the process - but I do realize we want to move players on to the next level.
For an individual organization such as the Amherst Ramblers - I wonder - what, exactly, is the benefit in showcasing your draft picks and their potential draft picks from the following season (2009) to scouts from other leagues? It's like we're saying - here's our best players - go ahead - take the ones you want - we're happy to do you a favour - no return required.
Until your draft picks sign a card with you - they are free agents to play in any league of their choosing without any compensation whatsoever. You're basically showcasing your prospects to outside leagues for free.
Not trying to be negative - I'm all for the players - but I'm also all for the MHL. The 2007's and 2008's will already have been MHL and QMJHL drafted - what are you showcasing them for? Why would QMJHL GM's, coaches and scouts have any interest in scouting players already drafted in their two previous drafts? Their own individual training camps open a matter of days later.
There's a major YIKES feel about it, but I wish the venture well - and I'll definitely support those who are giving so much in making an already too short summer even shorter. We're talking about the best and hottest time of the summer here - the heart of peoples' vacations before the summer winds down. Who wants to spend the better part of a week in the middle of summer in Fredericton in a motel?
Four days and three nights in Fredericton for players and parents will be steep - but hopefully the UNB dorms are available for minimum cost - and guessing the Shannon family will run the cafeteria at reasonable cost to feed the players like they've done in the past with the Varsity Reds program.
Hopefully, a few will chime in here and sing about the positives that I'm probably just too shortsighted to see.
Sounds like the event will be shared around in the future with Fredericton named the "inaugural host" - and I do like that aspect.
One good thing might be finally being able to find a way to get something - anything - out of the women's scouting initiative. . .
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Post by truenorth on Dec 21, 2023 19:38:49 GMT -4
I really like the sounds of most of this concept, and I think it’s a decent step to allow the league to see prospects and encourage them to play in the league. I wonder if even some college people may persuade some to look at Jr A over the Q for those drafted to both.
My lone questions/concerns are with the Draft Division. Showcasing Drafted players in the last 2 years just seems like exposing to potentially other leagues, and I can’t tell from the wording if each team has their prospect team or if there is an overall draft of all, which either way seems strange. If it was just for guys not drafted yet as 07 or 08 late bloomers it might be a cool showcase opportunity, and especially for 09’s I love the idea of a showcase at the start of their draft year.
But I really like this initiative being taken, especially if they are truly able to promote the league as a viable development option for players and not just where players from the Q end up. Certainly the first time will be a learning curve for an event of this size, but they have a great opportunity if they can really sell why a player should stay in the MHL.
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Post by JPA on Dec 21, 2023 22:41:24 GMT -4
LOCAL AND REGIONAL SHOWCASES / EVENTS
DATE | EVENT | September | Training Camps / NBPEIU18 Showcase | October | QMJHL Cup (Atlantic Leg); NSU18 Showcase | November | Monctonian | December | CCM Midget Challenge (Quebec) | January | East Coast Ice Jam | February | U18 League Playoffs | March | U18/Prep League Playoffs / Atlantics | April | Atlantics / Telus Cup / QMJHL Cup (Quebec Leg) | May | Montreal Meltdown | June | QMJHL and MHL Drafts | July | Chowder Cup / Varsity Reds | August | Andrews / Cleary / Maritime Hockey Summit |
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Post by JPA on Feb 9, 2024 19:44:45 GMT -4
That's going to be some major costs for parents from away who need to pay accomodations.
As well, players from NL will likely be few with the four days - plus lodging - plus travel - plus expenses.
Surprised there are no dorm style accomodations.
MARITIME HOCKEY SUMMIT Announcement of the Maritime Hockey Summit
Frequently Asked Questions
How are invitations decided on and issued?
Draft Division Consisting of 07 & 08-borns. The first set of invitations will go out to respective invitees in January, 2024. These invites will include all MHL draft picks from the 2023 Entry Draft. Invites will be sent by the MHL President, with a copy sent to the respective team the player was drafted to.
Pre-Draft Division Consisting of 09-born only. The October 2023 Atlantic Challenge Cup in Moncton, New Brunswick represents the first 80 invites. The second invited list will consist of top-rated players not on the ACC rosters, but who have played well this past season in the U15 system throughout Atlantic Canada.
Draft Division’s second selection process will take place immediately following the 2024 MHL draft, to be held in June. All 08-born, and 07 players drafted in 2024, will immediately receive an invitation from the MHL President, with all MHL teams copied based on player selections.
Is the Maritime Hockey Summit open to players outside the region of Atlantic Canada?
Yes, by invitation only. This list of possible invitees will be based on recommendations, as well as the Central Scouting Registry produced yearly by the Quebec Maritime Junior Hockey League. Much of this will be determined by the response from the outset of the Atlantic invitations.
Is there skate sharpening on site?
Yes.
Do players stay in dorms or hotels?
All players are responsible for their own accommodations, local hotels have been booked, and registration links for hotels will be sent to all players once they have registered to attend for their choice of where they wish to stay.
What is the cost of registration and what does it include?
Registration is $545
Included with registration is the following. Draft jersey and socks on Friday, August 9th On-ice testing – Sport Testing Atlantic full ice testing Off-ice testing – Sport Testing Atlantic All Test results submitted to athletes as well as Elite Prospects Hockey classroom session Souvenir wear for the Maritime Hockey Summit Power skating session On-ice skill session Championship Tournament, with a guarantee of 3 games Opening guest speaker NHL Style draft on Friday, August 9th at 1 p.m. Professional Instruction on and off-ice Elite Prospects Full-Year Membership (Value $149.99)
Will there be Food available during the day for athletes and staff?
A Food Option will be available for a very reasonable price, home cooking for lunch and supper hour. Based on the team you are on, this can be purchased at registration.
Will there be a souvenir shop during the event?
Local company Greer’s Graphics will be on-site for all souvenir wear. Hats, thin hoodies, t-shirts, and more. How does the draft work, how are players divided up?
The draft is based on player performance on Day 1, as well as historical data. The teams are split evenly for fair and good competition. Players are ranked, team GMs and Coaches get a selection based on a lottery held prior, and the order of selection is then determined. The time leading into the event always plays a role in the rankings, as well.
What are some tips for players?
Come to the event well prepared in top fitness. Prepare for a long four days with long hours and intense on-ice and off-ice sessions. Lots of dry clothes is important, as well as plenty of socks. Blisters are very common at an event like this. Hydrate. The more you bring the better off you will be. It can also be very hot this time of year in Fredericton.
What happens following the event?
Scouting reports and testing results will be submitted to your respective team. If you are not drafted, your report will still be on Neutral Zone Scouting and on Elite Prospects for all teams and scouts to see.
Elite Prospects Special GIFT to players:
During the event, you will be asked to sign up for your Elite Prospects profile and one-year membership as part of their sponsorship, this means every player, will receive a full one-year membership as part of their registration, valued at $149.99 per year. Elite Prospects will be set up during the event.
Note to parents:
Parents will be able to attend the draft and the opening meeting. Normally, parents would be invited to all classrooms and events throughout. Due to the numbers, it will be very difficult to accommodate this. We ask that parents simply attend the draft and opening only. Parents are encouraged and welcome to all on-ice events. If a parent wishes to register for the coaching symposium, as a coach or interested party, that is no problem.
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