Pro Hockey in Europe
- Thread starter Falconone
- Start date
Franck
eltiT resU motsuC
Falconone
Registered User
Franck,
Not for me. My son. 23 yrs old. Picture is my avatar.
No an EU citizen.
Played Junior A for two years after a Post Grad year (= to a year of Jr. A)
He's a goalie
6'4" 215
Was recruited by Major Junior team but was advised to keep NCAA options open. So he declined. Maine, Bowling Green, Notre Dame, Union all expressed interest but academics kept him out of those programs.
Ran into weird NCAA rule about "Organized Competition" that cost him a year of eligibility and required him to sit out another year. Would have been the starter if eligible.
Wasn't a great student to begin with and left school.
Just trying to understand what the options are and how the process works. Email me here if you would like more specifics.
Not for me. My son. 23 yrs old. Picture is my avatar.
No an EU citizen.
Played Junior A for two years after a Post Grad year (= to a year of Jr. A)
He's a goalie
6'4" 215
Was recruited by Major Junior team but was advised to keep NCAA options open. So he declined. Maine, Bowling Green, Notre Dame, Union all expressed interest but academics kept him out of those programs.
Ran into weird NCAA rule about "Organized Competition" that cost him a year of eligibility and required him to sit out another year. Would have been the starter if eligible.
Wasn't a great student to begin with and left school.
Just trying to understand what the options are and how the process works. Email me here if you would like more specifics.
Last edited:
Have you considered getting in touch with a sports agent? If that's not a possibility, I'd recommend checking team websites in leagues at your son's expected level, and see if they offer tryouts. For instance, here is one from an ECHL team.
http://bakersfieldcondors.com/team/player-recruitment/
Every pro team will have a website contact option, even if they don't specifically talk about recruitment. You could try sending emails to all of them asking about tryouts, and see who responds. I think that the best option would be an agent though, someone who knows the process and has been through it before.
Just my two cents I got from a bit of online research, so you probably know all this already! Good luck to your son!
http://bakersfieldcondors.com/team/player-recruitment/
Every pro team will have a website contact option, even if they don't specifically talk about recruitment. You could try sending emails to all of them asking about tryouts, and see who responds. I think that the best option would be an agent though, someone who knows the process and has been through it before.
Just my two cents I got from a bit of online research, so you probably know all this already! Good luck to your son!
Kanka
Registered User
- Dec 25, 2011
- 48
- 0
Hi Falconone, Sorry to hear about your son. Best thing for him is play pro in NA for a season or two. All European leagues have already started and filled rosters. They sign guys typically between May-July with most teams having players report in August. They sign imports early to get work visa issues sorted out because that can be a long process (e.g. Italy is notorious for taking months to process pro guys visas).
Unless you want to pay his own way over there for tryouts, he won't get a contract without playing NCAA/CIS or minor pro. A couple years ago, some Jr.A guys from Canada have paid they're own way for tryouts in Belgium and France and have to get on with a club, but they left in July and bounced around in August. Also, it is easier for Canadians to play overseas at lower level pro teams because Canadians can get one year work visas with the Schengen program. Germany, Belgium, France, Netherlands, etc. all grant one year work visas for Canadians under the age of 30 if they apply in the spring.
For goalies, the process is ten times worst right now. Lots of guys looking for work.
Also, get an agent. But do research first when selecting an agent.
Hi Falconone,
if college is no option I would definately recommend your son to play at least one year ECHL or Central Hockey League so that European clubs can see his strenghts without having to fly him in as they just can use their scouting system + it's better for comparison with other imports.
If he tried it now he would probably only find a spot in very low level leagues of Germany and Sweden (4th tier) or maybe an exotic club in Beligum or Turkey. A year of ECHL would even get him as close as DEL 2 (Germany) or Division 1 (Sweden).
In any case you can PM me and I can recommend you a good Canadian hockey agent who works with many North Americans who play in Europe, from former NHL level to ECHL/Central Hockey League.
if college is no option I would definately recommend your son to play at least one year ECHL or Central Hockey League so that European clubs can see his strenghts without having to fly him in as they just can use their scouting system + it's better for comparison with other imports.
If he tried it now he would probably only find a spot in very low level leagues of Germany and Sweden (4th tier) or maybe an exotic club in Beligum or Turkey. A year of ECHL would even get him as close as DEL 2 (Germany) or Division 1 (Sweden).
In any case you can PM me and I can recommend you a good Canadian hockey agent who works with many North Americans who play in Europe, from former NHL level to ECHL/Central Hockey League.
TollefsenFan
Registered User
I have to agree with the comments above. Even the worst team in the Norwegian get liga got an experienced goalie. http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=5867
Jussi
Registered User
Maybe try Finnish or Swedish second tier clubs next season, if not this season? We have try outs here as well during the season.
