Global Sports Scouting Services Inc. has been operating for the past eighteen years. The focus has been hosting the “Global Sports Showcases” in Burnaby, British Columbia and Las Vegas, Nevada... This began as a showcase for Junior hockey players and minor hockey players to exhibit their abilities to scouts from teams in the B.C Hockey League. Our showcase now allows elite Pee Wee, Bantam, Midget and Junior hockey players to showcase their talents. They do so in front of University and College scouts as well as scouts from all of the various Junior Hockey leagues throughout Canada and the United States. In addition, assortment of hockey academies and prep schools throughout North America attend the showcase. Our goal is to provide players with the opportunity to showcase their talents. In addition, parents will receive vital information on possible hockey developmental opportunities. We have an educational advisor on staff. He will assist players and parents by answering your questions about educational and eligibility requirements for N.C.A.A. Hockey
The Global Sports “Showcases” have grown tremendously. Many young players have entered universities and colleges on scholarships. Others have gone on to major junior and professional hockey. Seventeen years ago, we started out with helping 90 players. Now, we are reaching out and helping over 1,000 players a year. Last year in Burnaby, over 545 boys attended our Showcase. In Las Vegas, over 460 players participated. The formats of both showcases are significantly different.
In Burnaby, the players will have 1 practice and 4 games plus mini-seminars (1998-1997 will have 2 practices and 3 games). The practices will be conducted by NCAA and Junior coaches. The seminars will be attended by NHL, College, Major Junior, Junior A, Junior B, Prep schools, hockey academies, etc. There will be individual guest speakers who will talk on behalf of their programs, as well as, a question and answering segment which will include any questions players or parents might want answered.
In Las Vegas, players will have 3 practices and 4 games. The practices will be conducted by NCAA coaches and Junior coaches. There will be a series of mini-seminars led by attending NCAA, Major Junior, Junior A &B, Prep Schools, and hockey academies staff. The staff will also assist on the bench coaching the games.
The best advice I can give a future player is: “There is one guarantee in hockey and that is, there is no guarantee!” Try not to put all your “eggs in one basket.” It is always best to have a backup plan. Many of those promises that are made in hockey do not seem to happen. It is our hope, that regardless of where you are with your hockey career, you will remember the importance of a good education. Strive to play at the highest possible level. Keep in mind, playing hockey should always be “fun”. Players should always “remember” that it is not a race! Take your time and do it right. Make sure you do your research! It takes good information to make good decisions. The order should be as follows: family, school and then hockey. Try not to mix these up and you should be fine. Have a good season and make good decisions. We hope to see you in either Burnaby or Las Vegas!
Roy Henderson
