Sometimes, Toughest Part Of Scouting Jr. Players Is Talking To Jr. Players

Joely Stokl has two jobs, both of which involve talking to junior hockey players.

Stockl serves as THN site editor covering the Ontario Hockey League. She also scouts for the BCHL's Coquitlam Express, and the Hamilton Kilty B’s of the  Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League.

One duty both jobs has in common is having insightful conversations with teenagers, whether for interviews or for recruiting purposes. Have any of you reading this tried to have insightful conversations with teenagers? (My apologies to teenagers who are masters of insightful conversation.)

"It's tough. I haven't found a firm answer for that," admits Stockl. "A lot of younger guys, the rookies, it's sometimes tough to get them to open up. Some, they're just so dialed in, they don't show their personality that much.

"One thing I have actually found helpful is asking them about their minor hockey days. They also like to tend to talk about their buddies. At (Team Canada's) World Juniors camp, I talked to (Seattle Kraken prospect) Ty Nelson about Michael Buchinger of Guelph, who he played with in minor hockey."

For more about the life of a junior hockey scout, here's today's Kraken Reaction .