RECRUITMENT
COMMON RECRUITMENT QUESTIONS
As a member of the Leafs program, where do players attend school?
Academics are a key component to the program. If the player lives within an hour's drive, he can attend a local high school. If an over age 18 high schooler, and live at a greater distance, we may be able to provide a host family and the player should be able to attend school in the town where they reside.
If you are a post-graduate, you can either commute or live with a host family (some players, on coaches approval, rent an apartment), in either case we encourage players to enroll in 1-2 college courses per semester.
For local College classes visit:
Lakes Region Community College - Laconia Campus
Will players miss any school, and will hockey interfere with academics?
Each player should miss no more than 3-4 school days (Fridays usaully) due to tournament play (an exception being the National Tournament). The majority of games are scheduled on weekends. It is the Leafs philosophy that academics take priority of the sport. Ultimately, college placement is our major focus.
What is the SAT Prep Program?
Each player is offered the opportunity to participate in this 8-week program. The course is held one weekday evening (Wednesdays 6:30-9:30pm) each week. Most students will see their SAT scores increase by 20-100 points. This is another important component of college placement.
be sure to visit:
Laconia adult education
www.Collegeboard.com
When does the season begin? How many practices and games do the Leafs have? Who and where will the Leafs play?
The Leafs season starts in early September. The early season is skill & game situation intensive, with afternoon sessions 4-5 days a week for 1-2 hours each day. The Leafs have over 100 practice hours and play approximately 50-55 games, mostly on weekends. The season could extend to mid-April. We also offer virtually unlimited "unstructered" and structured open ice times!
Goalies Train with Mike Buckley - at GDS
Practices are run in conjunction with a progressive strength training program at our local fitness club.
Laconia Athletic & Swim Club - The Leafs Official Training Facility
The Leafs are members of the Atlantic Junior Hockey League (AJHL) Tier III JR "A". The league provides an approximate 45 game schedule, plus playoffs & a National Tournament bid.
Some of the Leafs goals are to field a team that can claim the top league position during the regular season, to win the post season play-offs, attend Nationals, and ultimately, to advance players to college hockey.
The Leafs also play in 3-4 Major Showcases & Tournaments - all heavily scouted by college & pro teams.
How does the team travel?
The Leafs have their own coach bus. The travel is comfortable, and we use this bus to travel to ALL games (no cars or vans!). Each seat is similar to a 1st class plane seat, each with tray table, 30 degree recline, and touch button CD player at the players fingertips. The Leafs' bus also features an incredible 100 disc CD changer system, complete with DVD & TV's. Of course the bus has its own restroom, and the coaches have a meeting space with tables & chairs for player/staff conferences.
How does the program compare to high school and prep school?
In addition to an academic environment administered by a school, you will be part of a program that independently monitors your academic progress. If you don't perform in the class room, you do not play! Academics aside, there is no type of program that compares to the Laconia Leafs Junior Hockey Team. Practice time will exceed anything available in either High School or Prep School. The Leafs game time alone far exceeds Prep and High School teams.
High School -- 25 games @ 15 min. periods = 18.75 hours
Prep School -- 30 games @ 15 min. periods = 22.50 hours
Leafs Juniors -- 60 games @ 20 min. periods = 60.00 hours
A Leafs player will skate the equivalent of more than 2 high school or prep school seasons. Due to the advanced level of competition it is no wonder most successful college rosters are dotted with players trained in Junior Hockey.
As a Post-Graduate, will players have an opportunity for part time employment and community service?
If a player can meet his academic and team obligations, he can take full advantage of work opportunities in the area. The Leafs staff has numerous community contacts, and will help "guide" interested players. Many players will be assigned to a local youth hockey team. The player will be required, as a part of local community service, to provide a minimum amount of time to assist "their" team. Players are also required to participate in other community projects such as the "NH Adopt-a-highway" program, Laconia Christmas Village, NE Pond Hockey Classic, local school mentorships, Boy Scouts, and the Laconia Ice Arena.
What type of equipment is provided?
The Leafs will provide Home and Away game jerseys, socks, Bauer helmet, equipment bag, practice jerseys, and Team warm-up suits. (tape for all practices & games as well).
All players have access, normally at a modest percentage above cost, to all equipment available in our arena pro shop. The Leafs all have exclusive use of their own private locker room & office facilities. We provide unlimited skate sharpening - for free!
All of this, and no additional equipment charge!
What type of scouting exposure will players receive?
The Leafs will receive National exposure at tournaments and showcases. The Leafs staff, working with college, Junior, and Pro team contacts, will asses each player's academics, skills, attitude, and finances to find and recommend the ideal fit at the next level. It is important to note that the Leafs play most of their games within a short drive of nearly every Hockey East, ECAC Division I-III, and Club program.
What is the Leafs Nutritional Philosophy?
The Leafs coaching staff spends a great deal of time focusing on proper nutrition during the season. Players will be coached on proper diet, hydration, rest and recovery. During road games and tournament play, the coaching staffs provides, and monitors most team meals, including the supply (when necessary) of work-out and recovery Endurox R4 and Accelerade products. In addition players are lectured on the dangers of steroids and poor diet.
What is the Leafs Mental training philosophy?
The Leafs approach to the sport is a holistic one. We will focus on preparing the student-athlete to be a mentally tough, and positive teammate. We will teach visualization, teambuilding & leadership techniques. We are proud to offer our "guest speaker" seminars, inviting highly skilled leaders from other sports & businesses to address the players. Speakers have included: Mike Morin - USA Ski Team Head Coach, Steve Leach - 12 year NHL player, and many others.
What is Junior Hockey?
Junior Hockey is the pinnacle of the skill development program of USA Hockey. It is available to male athletes who are 20 and under as of the 31st day of December of the current season of competition. The program is available to high school students and graduates who seek a greater or different challenge than that which is available through their midget, high school or prep teams. The principle purpose of this development program is to prepare the athletes for career advancement at the collegiate level.
What is the purpose of Junior Hockey?
The purpose of Junior Hockey is really twofold:
Opportunity-- to provide an opportunity for players in this age group to play organized hockey.
Development-- to improve and develop the skills and abilities of the participants, including the players, coaches, and officials.
ALL OF THIS, AND WE ARE STILL THE MOST AFFORDABLE JR PROGRAM ON THE EAST COAST! HOW DO WE DO IT...CONTACT US TODAY!!!
Fill out a Player Profile
The LEAFS PROSPECTS PROGRAM is a premier 20 & under Hockey Tournament Team that features hockey competition from the United States and Canada. These exposure events allow talented players to showcase their skills over a three-day period in a highly-competitive environment.
These Showcases draws coaches from Division I through Division III schools, scouts from the American Hockey League (AHL) to the National Hockey League (NHL) and other coaches from the top junior hockey & prep teams in North America.
We use these events as a way to:
1. Showcase players
2. Evaluate Players(Tryout)
3. Simply let players “play & compete”
This is a chance for players to showcase their talents and discuss their ambitions with our coaches and scouts. We also encourage players to approach other program representatives in attendance and ask questions. It is an open forum for players and scouts alike.
2010 EVENTS:
PRO AM - PRE DRAFT SHOWCASE (May 7-9)
EJHL – SPRING SHOWCASE (May 14-16)
ALLIANCE TOURNAMENT (June 25-27)
CYCLONES NEXT LEVEL SHOWCASE (July 16-18)
PRO AM - CHOWDER CUP (July 21-25)
We are always looking for quality players...so,
Contact us today to be considered for this program
registration link: https://laconiaprospects.goalline.ca/registration.php
coachfay@laconiaicearena.com
603-581-7008
