Why the CHL USA Prospects Challenge Matters (And Why It Doesn't)

Welcome to All Access Hockey.

After 8 years of NHL coaching, here's what I know: Player development isn't a straight line. It never has been. It never will be.

Here's what we'll cover in less than 5 minutes:

• The new CHL USA Prospects Challenge and what it really means

• Why development paths matter (and why they don't)

• What every hockey family needs to know

• How to support without adding more pressure

Let's dive in.

The Prospects Challenge:

Here's something I learned after 8 years of coaching in the NHL with the Dallas Stars...

There's no perfect path to the show.

Let me say that again, because it's important for every hockey family to hear this: There is no perfect path to the NHL.

I've seen first-round picks who needed years to develop before they were ready. I've watched undrafted players storm into the league and become stars through sheer determination. I've seen late bloomers, early bloomers, and everything in between.

Which brings me to the CHL USA Prospects Challenge happening this November 26-27, 2024.

This showcase is going to be incredible hockey - the best draft-eligible players from across Canada facing off against America's top prospects. Two games that will have every NHL scout's attention:

• November 26: Budweiser Gardens, London, Ontario

• November 27: Tribute Communities Centre, Oshawa

But here's what I really want every parent and young player to understand...

This event? It's one milestone on a very long road. It's not the final destination.

We've got Porter Martone and Michael Misa suiting up - tremendous young talents. But for every player in this showcase, there are dozens more grinding it out in junior rinks across North America who will also make it to the NHL.

There's always been this friendly rivalry between Canadian and American development paths. Which system is better? Who's producing more talent?

But after spending nearly a decade in NHL dressing rooms, I can tell you this: What matters isn't where you developed - it's how you developed.

I've seen players come from:

• Small-town Canadian rinks

• The U.S. National Development Program

• European leagues

• Major junior

• College hockey

And you know what? Great players can come from anywhere. The common thread isn't their path - it's their attitude, work ethic, and resilience.

Even getting drafted is just the beginning. I can't tell you how many players I've coached who got drafted and then had to work twice as hard just to earn their spot. The NHL isn't a destination - it's a daily competition to stay there.

For every family watching these games in November, remember:

• If your player is in this showcase - fantastic, but the real work is still ahead

• If your player isn't in this showcase - that's okay, there are countless paths to pro hockey

• If your player is still in minor hockey - use this as inspiration, not pressure

Some of the best NHL stories I know are about players who:

• Weren't invited to showcases

• Got cut from teams

• Were told they were too small

• Went undrafted

• Played Tier II Junior A

• Took the college route

• Developed later than their peers

But they all had one thing in common: they wouldn't go away. They just kept working, kept improving, kept believing.

The CHL USA Prospects Challenge is going to be great hockey. It's going to showcase some incredible talent. But it's not the only path, and it's certainly not the final word on who makes it and who doesn't.

What matters most is keeping the best interests of these young athletes in mind. Development isn't a race - it's a journey. Some paths are direct, others take detours, but there's no wrong way to chase your dream as long as you're willing to put in the work.

So mark those dates - November 26-27. Watch these talented young players compete. But remember, whether you're in the lineup or watching from home, your hockey story is still being written.

And sometimes the best chapters are the unexpected ones.

-Mike

P.S. A little luck never hurts either. But as I learned in the NHL, the harder you work, the luckier you seem to get.

The Mail Bag ✉️

Kevin asked: "I've got two players, 12 and 14, and I feel like I might be talking too much about the game to them. How can I be supportive without adding more pressure? Sometimes I catch myself going into full coaching mode in the car ride home and can tell they're shutting down..."

From my coaching experience, here's the simple truth about supporting young players:

Kids know when they've had a bad game. They know when they made a mistake. What they need in those moments isn't analysis - it's just support. Sometimes that's a pat on the back, sometimes it's just listening, and sometimes it's a simple "I'm proud of you."

Here's what works:

• Be the calm presence. Everyone else is caught up in wins, losses, and stats. Just be their parent.

• Make the car a pressure-free zone. No game breakdowns. No advice. Just normal parent-kid chat.

• Focus on effort over outcomes. "I love watching you play" means more than "nice goal."

The best players I coached didn't make it because their parents pushed them harder. They made it because they had the support at home to push themselves.

Your most powerful tool isn't feedback - it's just being there. Show up, stay steady, and let them know you're in their corner, win or lose.

Hope you enjoyed it. Please continue to share this newsletter with other hockey parents. For every new subscriber, this community will grow stronger and stronger.

Thank you!
Mike