How do I get called up to tier 2 hockey?
As a former tier 3 coach, I received this question a handful of times per month.
My immediate response is a question, “do you want to get called up or stay up?”
Injuries and illness are going to happen, which can get players called up.
But what gets you to stick up there is something that is becoming popular in business and sports careers.
Do it Before You Get There
It’s the notion of doing the job before you get the job. In search of a job in basketball analytics, Ben Falk describes his approach on his website, Cleaning the Glass:
2. Do the Job Before You Have the Job
The key part of that email is the example of work. Again, remember that NBA teams don’t know what you can do or why it helps them. You have to show them, making it as easy as possible for them to see.
And how do you do that? By doing the job before you have the job. Act like you have the job you want, imagine what the work would be like — and then do it. Put together unique scouting edits on D-League players. Build advanced spreadsheets or websites with salary cap info and helpful ways to visualize details of contracts. Analyze data to help answer a question the coaching staff might have, like the value of a 2-for-1.
Taking initiative like this does a few things. First, it shows them clearly what you can do, because you’ve already done it. Second, it demonstrates an ability to be a self-starter. Third, it teaches you — you are gaining experience in your desired field before you even step through the door. Lastly, it gives you the opportunity to get feedback and to learn from others: if what you’ve done isn’t good enough for teams to immediately be interested, you can find out why.
It might not be applied in exactly this way if you are a player but the idea can be applied to you as a player.
It requires some self-awareness and questioning. This is difficult, but if you're willing to dive deep into your own game, you might just get your opportunity to go up and more importantly stay up.
How you might go about this exercise:
Watch games of productive players at your position at the next level
What is their success rate in common situations in games (what percentage can they beat F1 with their feet or a pass if you’re watching a defenseman)
How do they defend the rush? Does that level of play penalize you more for crossing over your feet? Do you have the right skill set to have success right now at that level?
Do you have comparable stick detail to the player you are watching? Can you invite the player with your stick to playing in the space you want and then go stick on puck when you dictate the space he goes into?
After watching some games of yourself and this other player, compare the areas above as well as any other areas you find interesting.
2 of You
There is time in the day as a junior hockey player to deeply dive into the game of hockey. You only have 24 hours like everyone else.
Do a quick thought experiment, picture 2 identical versions of yourself.
One studies players above his level and his own game for 90 minutes a day.
The other one doesn’t study.
Who is ahead in 1 month’s time? 1 year’s time?
There’s an asymmetrical upside to engaging in a film habit like this one.
You might have anywhere between 4-7 hours of awake time away from the rink and the gym sitting around your billet house to do 90 minutes of this kind of work.
Will you do the job before you get the job?
Will you accelerate your development by investing in yourself?
Question and Dive In
Have the requisite skillset, mindset, and study habits before you get there. Live a professional lifestyle while in junior hockey. Ask questions of what the NHL elite might be doing:
What are they doing? How do they structure their life?
How much time are they studying their game and the game of other players?
How seriously does Sidney Crosby take his sleep? Am I in the same ballpark?
How long do D1 players stay on the ice after practice to work on individual skills? (it’s longer than 5 minutes)
The door gets closed on you if you get exposed when you get the chance.
You jam your foot in the door and demand it stays open if you’re fully prepared.
Which will you choose?
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