USA development camps

[troybruins89 0]

Has any one here been to them? what is the skill level that it takes to make it past the tryouts? im wondering because im looking at trying out for the select 15 mid-am and dont know if i have what it takes...im one of the top 2 players on a bantam A team and could be playing AA...i know without seeing me play its hard to judge but if anyone could give me a comparison to what level of play the select 15 would be (A,AA,etc.) that would be very helpful.

[CaseyJones_86 0]

FYI, A and AA is the same thing. It's the difference between a first year and a second year travel player. Thats how it is in MI anywyay.

Alot of the kids will probably be just like you, the top 1 or 2 on their respective teams, but I would expect the competition to be intense. As long as you keep a positive attitute and give it 100%, you should be fine. Even if you don't make it the first time, at least the coaches will recognize you and your effort, and the next year they will already have a good idea of you in their mind. go for it man.

[sherwood21 0]

I am assuming that it would be like a AA level, as long as there are other higher levels for your age group. Don't worry about the other guys, just play your game and you will have a good shot.

BTW: Is this US NTDP or is it another thing?

[CaseyJones_86 0]

I am assuming that it would be like a AA level, as long as there are other higher levels for your age group. Don't worry about the other guys, just play your game and you will have a good shot.

BTW: Is this US NTDP or is it another thing?

NTDP is 17+, it is similar except in NTDP the guys are recruited. Alot of how they get picked is how they do in the select 15 and 16 festivals though.

[#94 3]

I played in the Select Festivals for the Atlantic District...

The tryouts are pretty tough, not gonna lie.

If you are a dominant AAA player in your region then you should make the team.

As a top A or AA player you either have to know someone, or just have a great tryout.

Hey, you never know. Just skate your ass off the whole tryout and be crisp.

There is one sure thing though, once you make that team, it opens up a whole boatload of opportunities for you in the future...

Good luck.

[sherwood21 0]

Thanks CaseyJones, I wish Canada had things like this open for everyone. They have Alberta Cup here but the guys who make the teams are just absolutely rediculous and have all the hook ups, but they back it up too..so its like impossible to make..:(

Luckily theres so much Junior A and B/Dub to get exposed to so its not as hard to get into those scenes, just alberta cup.

[J-Shera 0]

unless your massive good luck getting into the dub, there all fricken monsters :D

[Eazy_b97 1]

From what I've seen its an all or nothing shot there. Over 6'2 or under 5'11.

[J-Shera 0]

The smaller guys often strugal, but not all. It helps to be tough in the dub, everytime i seen one walkin around they allways dwarf me

[kosydar 0]

It seems like in the dub every team has one or two project players who suck, but are just gigantic.

[CaseyJones_86 0]

I went to the 16 midwest festival and I was a AA player, but I also knew Hensick who went through the year before, so I guess it helps to know someone. btw, I pulled a hamstring and had to go home, in the semis.

[2048 0]

From what I've seen its an all or nothing shot there. Over 6'2 or under 5'11.

Whereas college hockey seems to be everyone under 6'0.

[warrior37 0]

A level and AA are not the same in Michigan, I played bantam AA for three years. and select festivals hmmm? well im pretty sure mid-am is not that good and there arent many respectable AAA programs down that way so good luck. and from being from MI all of the select festivals are if you played for Tupperware or Ham'n'swiss-cheese or if pops has some coin

[troybruins89 0]

FYI, A and AA is the same thing. It's the difference between a first year and a second year travel player. Thats how it is in MI anywyay.

Alot of the kids will probably be just like you, the top 1 or 2 on their respective teams, but I would expect the competition to be intense. As long as you keep a positive attitute and give it 100%, you should be fine. Even if you don't make it the first time, at least the coaches will recognize you and your effort, and the next year they will already have a good idea of you in their mind. go for it man.

in ohio A and B are the difference between a first and second year player and A and AA is based on skill. i dont think there are any AAA teams around unless you go north to cleveland and toledo..

[peterhockey 0]

in massachusetts it is pretty hard to make it to the festival and past that to the state team

[sherwood21 0]

In the Dub, most of the smaller guys are good skaters, or else you can't get by. If you are big and have sufficeient skating, you get by. If you are big, can skate, and can hit, then there you have it..a first round bantam pick..

[stickler012 0]

Im going to the Michigan u15 tryout on the 18th-- is anyone else going on here?

[troybruins89 0]

wat is dub?

[mmhky_11 0]

wat is dub?

The Western Hockey League. It's a major junior A hockey league in Canada.

[kosydar 0]

WHL.

[Pats 0]

Thanks CaseyJones, I wish Canada had things like this open for everyone. They have Alberta Cup here but the guys who make the teams are just absolutely rediculous and have all the hook ups, but they back it up too..so its like impossible to make..:(

Luckily theres so much Junior A and B/Dub to get exposed to so its not as hard to get into those scenes, just alberta cup.

I don't understand what you are saying about the Alberta Cup, I played in that in 2002 and I can guarantee that I nor my family has any hook-ups and the level of competition is not rediculous as almost all of the top players in Alberta will make their zone team.

[sherwood21 0]

The top players in Alberta are like top 1-2 on their AAA teams, I would say that that is pretty good talent right there. I was educated a little more about this today because one of my instructors at school coaches the Edmonton North Zone team, so he said that as long as you go out and give it your all then you have a good chance. I'm in a pretty bad area for it though, as the Northeast zone stretches a good way up so you're playing the guys from Park, Fort, Fort Mac, Camrose, Strathcona, and only 20 players are picked..

[Pats 0]

That is true it is tough to make. Luckily I live in the city and generally only ~80 kids try-out whereas some of the rural teams can reach up to 300. However, anyone can make it with a good showing. What I meant by saying that the top players make their teams is not only do they make it but many others as well who are good but not great and may not get drafted to the WHL but will get camp invites. Every year some who do not make AB Cup will get drafted.

[sherwood21 0]

Yea, you have a good point about the city zone. Luckily I'm a first year so I don't have to worry about this until next year.

BTW what number are you on Pats..I saw your team play a few weeks ago.

[hockechamp14 0]

I was the first alternate for Team CT's 88 team. I had an awful tryout after getting beaten up all week trying out for the varsity squad at my prep school (Avon old farms) and took a nasty shot to the quad the first night of tryouts so missed the whole first night... <_<

Anyhow, the teams aren't too difficult to make if you're any good. The comeptition wasn't too stiff.