GRIT Hockey

Why Junior and NCAA Scouts Seek Athletes—Not Hockey Players

Quick Summary

• Coaches (starting at the Junior Level) are increasingly seeking athletes, not just hockey players with domain specific skills
• Teams believe they can effectively develop an athlete into a hockey player
• Strength and Conditioning and Multi-Sport Focus starting at age 9 are proven to develop young players into strong athletes
• The hockey market is becoming saturated with players who can do the Michigan at age 10 but get “out-athleted” by the teen years
• Just a few days per week of strong, focused instruction will help young players become considerably more athletic

In the increasingly competitive world of elite hockey, raw talent alone no longer opens doors to the OHL, NCAA, or the NHL. Scouts at every level are looking beyond the score sheet. They’re evaluating how players move, adapt, recover, and perform under pressure. In other words, they’re seeking athletes—not just hockey players with refined stickhandling or shooting skills.

The Shift Toward Multi-Dimensional Athletes

Historically, the path to elite hockey often focused almost exclusively on developing hockey-specific skills: skating mechanics, puck control, systems awareness. But over the past two decades, the sport has evolved. The modern game is faster, more dynamic, and more physically demanding. As a result, scouts now prioritize qualities like explosiveness, agility, injury resilience, and adaptability—all hallmarks of well-rounded athleticism.

Brent Sutter, former NHL player and head coach, once stated, “You want a player who can play the game with pace and with strength. That comes from being a good athlete—not just a hockey player.” NHL Central Scouting often uses athletic testing, such as VO2 max, vertical jump, and sprint times, during the NHL Combine to assess general physical development, not just sport-specific metrics.

Strength and Conditioning: A Critical Pillar

Athletic development hinges on proper strength and conditioning, especially during the formative years (ages 9–16). This is the time when long-term athletic development (LTAD) principles should be prioritized. The Canadian Sport for Life (CS4L) framework, adopted by Hockey Canada, identifies this age window as crucial for developing speed, agility, coordination, and strength in a safe, progressive manner.

Youth strength and conditioning isn’t about lifting heavy weights or mimicking adult workouts. It’s about developing core movement patterns—jumping, landing, sprinting, pivoting, bracing—all of which transfer directly to on-ice performance. According to the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, early exposure to resistance training (when properly supervised) leads to increased motor unit recruitment and better neuromuscular coordination, both of which support long-term performance and injury prevention.

Injury Prevention and Longevity

Scouts also consider injury history as a predictor of long-term viability. Players who suffer repetitive soft-tissue injuries or chronic imbalances due to sport-specific overtraining are flagged. A strong athletic foundation reduces the risk of injury. Studies published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine show that diversified strength and movement programs reduce the likelihood of ACL tears and groin injuries—two common issues in hockey.

Mike Boyle, a strength coach with experience training NHL athletes, often stresses the need for youth players to avoid becoming “hockey robots” who can’t jump, sprint, or change direction without skates. “Hockey’s not just played on ice—it’s trained off the ice. The better athlete will always have the higher ceiling,” he emphasizes.

The Multi-Sport Advantage

Another reason scouts prefer athletes is that they tend to have broader neuromuscular development. Kids who play multiple sports develop greater proprioception, spatial awareness, and motor control. NCAA and NHL development models encourage multi-sport participation through at least age 14. The American Development Model (ADM), supported by USA Hockey, cites research that early specialization can lead to burnout, decreased motivation, and injury.

Players like Sidney Crosby (baseball, soccer) and Connor McDavid (basketball, lacrosse) didn’t solely play hockey year-round as kids. Their broader athletic backgrounds contributed to their elite agility, hand-eye coordination, and body control.

What Scouts Are Actually Looking For

When scouts attend bantam and midget-level games or combines, they take notes on:

• Explosiveness in transitions
• Resilience in high-tempo shifts
• Balance and body control under pressure
• Adaptability to physical play
• Durability throughout a season

These are not skills built only through power skating clinics or stickhandling drills—they are trained through sprint mechanics, plyometrics, strength training, and proper rest and recovery protocols.

Conclusion: Build the Athlete First

The message is clear: the hockey player who also trains like an athlete is more valuable, more resilient, and more adaptable. Strength and conditioning is not a luxury—it’s a necessity for long-term success and visibility in the eyes of OHL, NCAA, and NHL scouts. For parents and coaches, the priority must be building complete athletes first. The hockey skills will follow—and flourish—on a far more stable physical foundation.

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References:

1. Faigenbaum, A. D., & Myer, G. D. (2010). Resistance training among young athletes: safety, efficacy and injury prevention effects. British Journal of Sports Medicine.
2. Lloyd, R. S., et al. (2014). National Strength and Conditioning Association Position Statement on Long-Term Athletic Development.
3. Hockey Canada & CS4L. Long-Term Player Development Model.
4. USA Hockey ADM. (2023). American Development Model Guidebook.
5. Boyle, M. (2016). Advances in Functional Training.
6. NHL Central Scouting Combine Reports.