There's a reason I like talking hockey with John Messuri. The longtime Arlington High (MIAA) boys hockey coach and Dexter Southfield director of boys hockey is never shy about sharing his opinion on a plethora of hockey topics.
He's funny, too. Dexter boys coach Danny Donato once told me that Messuri has "sayings for sayings," which, in and of itself, is a great saying.
It's true. Anyone who watched the latest New England Hockey Journal podcast can attest — Messuri doesn't hold back.
But as funny as Messuri is, he also offers helpful, insightful advice. He's been around the game forever. He played at Princeton, where he's still the program's all-time leading scorer, and has been coaching pretty much ever since.
He gave a piece of advice in the form of a saying that caught my attention. I haven't stopped thinking about it since we recorded last Thursday.
"Don't chase the lobby."
Huh. Interesting. Explained a little deeper?
"Don't listen to the lobby," Messuri said. "Have your own plan."
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He's correct. Having your own plan for your son or daughter is crucial. Not letting others dictate your next move is a necessity. Be comfortable with your own choices.
But let's be real — it's never been harder to do that.
Since the CHL ruling, which allowed CHL players to suit up for an NCAA Division 1 hockey program down the line, it's been a mad dash for the high-end, great, very-good, and just-good players to get to junior hockey, mainly the CHL and USHL.
College programs have adjusted their recruiting. Sure, Aug. 1 still exists for rising juniors in high schools to commit to programs. But most college coaches are spending the majority of their time watching and recruiting uncommitted players in junior hockey.
They're a surer bet.
Then there was the NCAA 5-in-5 rule that came into play this past spring, starting the clock earlier than before, with a player's five years of NCAA eligibility beginning either when they enroll at that college or the academic year following their 19th birthday.
Understandably, that puts pressure on families who, just a year ago, accepted a long road in junior hockey to potentially start playing college hockey come age 21.
Now, I want to preface what I'm about to say with this: I don't have kids yet. My vantage point (up in my luxurious, New England Sports Center-themed ivory tower) is much different than actually having a horse in the race.
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I do not doubt that even the most experienced coaches, agents and former professional players struggle with what to do next with their kids — at the youth level, club level, high school, prep and juniors.
But I believe there's a way to cut through all the moving parts. It's in something Messuri said on our latest podcast.
"When your kid has proven himself at a level, then he should go try to do it at the next level," he said. "Too many people think by moving a level up that it's going to change things and it's not. You've got to prove yourself at each level."
Bingo.
My view of player development has always been that it's a numbers game. If you want to succeed at the next level, your chances of doing so are much better if you stay and dominate at the level you're currently at before going, rather than jumping before you're fully ready.
Are there anomalies? Of course. But if your goal is to get a Division 1 commitment, skipping your senior year in prep to go to the QMJHL or the USHL after an 18 points in 34 games-type season isn't your best bet.
Which brings me to this.
The New England prep season begins in less than a month. Much has been made about the many former prep stars who left early for junior hockey. There's no doubt that prep is getting younger.
But there are also plenty of high-end, older prep players. The usual teams in prep will be strong again. As always, a handful of teams will break out.
It's natural for some families to wonder if they're in the right place — whether that's a prep school or an academy. Heck, that's true of anything we do in life. Is this the right school for me? The right college? The right job? The right place to live?
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But the only way to try and eventually make it to that next level is to make the most of where you currently are.
And for the love of God, try not to chase the lobby.
