Are agents going too far in chasing pre-teen hockey prospects?

[Canada 02]

Oilers strategizing their 2023 tank

[sureLoss]

Looks like the NHLPA is looking at this.

TSN reporting the NHLPA is considering not allowing their certified agents to be able to contact players until they are 16.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/video/player-a...layers~1085907

[Mass_nerder]

It'll be interesting to see how that affects the hype machine for prospects.
Right now you start hearing about expected high picks 2-3 years before they're drafted, which I assume has a lot to do with their agents. If they're not working with players until they're older, will players become more of an unknown commodity?

[Ozy_Flame]

Aren't English FA teams allowed to contact kids as young as 5-6?

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

Aren't English FA teams allowed to contact kids as young as 5-6?

Let's not set soccer as the bar for what is acceptable.

[GirlySports]

what about the japanese kid?

[Ozy_Flame]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

Let's not set soccer as the bar for what is acceptable.

Oi mate it's football, soccah is 4 yanks, fight me 1v1 bruv lets 'ave a go ill knock ye gab out

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

Oi mate it's football, soccah is 4 yanks, fight me 1v1 bruv lets 'ave a go ill knock ye gab out

[Locke]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

what about the japanese kid?

Already an Oiler.

[Soulless Sisters]

The more I look into Jack Hughes, the more I'm inclined to see the Canucks tank the season ala 2015-Sabres. The kid looks more and more a generational player, or at least a Tavares.

[btimbit]

I know the family of a current Flames prospect, and some of the horror stories about dealing with scouts and agents and whatnot since he was in junior high are really quite something. When his was playing in juniors his mom was a nervous wreck

[dammage79]

I tend to think that you're altering the course of the development stream by allowing agents to imprint a possible future for kids.

In no way should they be permitted to pursue players under the age of 16. At least at 16 the metaphorical grape has had a chance to ripen on the vine a little bit. At 12 you're plucking buds off the vine.
You're also taking away precious development years from parents. Now it's not family and coach, it's family, coach and money making agent as voices the kid has to listen to. Let alone teachers or private educators..

Of course this will be fine and dandy for some parents who just want to make a buck off their kids talents (Think Jack Johnson).

Or how easily swayed a poor single parent will be when the Sharks come circling a child because he shows a bit of talent.

Nah, this is a terrible terrible idea. Agents aren't in it at this point for the kids or the their best interests I'm general. They're there trying to scoop up the next best thing and bilk millions off of them and take away their childhood in the process.

Seriously, this should be mandated federally. You can't sell kids smokes or let them drive until 16 or 18, no way should they be having their heads filled with agents snake oil so young.

[wired]

My nephew and another kid on his team (north east of Calgary) were both scouted by NHL scouts when they were 10. Both unbelievable players.
But, that's very young to be scoping out for the pros.
His mom was asked to sign him up with an elite team out of Edmonton when he was 11....$300 per practice, and room with a strange family. Needless to say, NO was the answer.
He is 13 now, and still playing high level hockey.