The Moose Organization turns out pros

[Deleted]

Really interesting interview with Florida GM Dale Tallon.

sportsandmoore.com/florida-gm-dallon-visits-moose-country/

What he had to say about the players that come from the Moosehead organization is a huge compliment to Dom, Bobby, Cam and the rest of the coaching and support staff.

A parent or agent/advisor of a young hockey player has got to know and consider what he was saying when looking at the future of the player.

Some on this board will argue that this is the result of Halifax being a big-market team with lots of money.

I would say that the stability that the organization was shown since the Patineau days is the reason our organization appears to have respect from the pro hockey community. The things that Tallon mentions have not a lot to do with money, though it does help. Hiring a good coach, building from within where possible, thus showing loyalty to your players, is a mark of a great organization.

Bobby and the crew deserve a lot of credit. Several years ago I was extremely frustrated with Bobby Smith the owner as I felt he had run the organization into the ground. I guess like most jobs the longer you do it the better you get at it. I think Bobby has become a great owner and the fans in Halifax have been on a great ride because of it.

GO MOOSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Reesor]

Elite prospects have a "where are they now" listing of all former Moose players and where they are currently playing.

www.eliteprospects.com/where_are_they_now.php?team=885

Going by that list, there are 4 former Mooseheads that have played at least one game in the NHL this season, and 8 that have played at least one game in the AHL. By contrast, Moncton have 17 players that have played at least one game in the NHL this season, and 14 players that have played at least one game in the AHL (Some, like Brandon Gormley, have played at least one game in both). We did not do a very good job turning out pro talent in the first 15 or so years of our existence.

The Moose have been fortunate enough in the last three seasons to have some great talent here. But I truly believe we've turned the corner when it comes to developing talent. Ducharme and his coaching staff are getting the most out of their players. More players like Weegar will be getting drafted as long as this coaching staff are here to develop them. The important thing is that when Ducharme and co leave for greener pastures, we go through the same process of hiring the right people for the job rather than just hiring the latest coach to be fired.

[nsvees]

Apr 6, 2014 18:48:26 GMT -4 Reesor said:

Elite prospects have a "where are they now" listing of all former Moose players and where they are currently playing.

www.eliteprospects.com/where_are_they_now.php?team=885

Going by that list, there are 4 former Mooseheads that have played at least one game in the NHL this season, and 8 that have played at least one game in the AHL. By contrast, Moncton have 17 players that have played at least one game in the NHL this season, and 14 players that have played at least one game in the AHL (Some, like Brandon Gormley, have played at least one game in both). We did not do a very good job turning out pro talent in the first 15 or so years of our existence.

The Moose have been fortunate enough in the last three seasons to have some great talent here. But I truly believe we've turned the corner when it comes to developing talent. Ducharme and his coaching staff are getting the most out of their players. More players like Weegar will be getting drafted as long as this coaching staff are here to develop them. The important thing is that when Ducharme and co leave for greener pastures, we go through the same process of hiring the right people for the job rather than just hiring the latest coach to be fired.

Very interesting to see where former Moosehead players are playing now. Some of them on the aforementioned list I had forgotten about.

[Reesor]

Apr 6, 2014 20:42:06 GMT -4 oilers4ever said:

Apr 6, 2014 18:48:26 GMT -4 Reesor said:

Elite prospects have a "where are they now" listing of all former Moose players and where they are currently playing.

www.eliteprospects.com/where_are_they_now.php?team=885

Going by that list, there are 4 former Mooseheads that have played at least one game in the NHL this season, and 8 that have played at least one game in the AHL. By contrast, Moncton have 17 players that have played at least one game in the NHL this season, and 14 players that have played at least one game in the AHL (Some, like Brandon Gormley, have played at least one game in both). We did not do a very good job turning out pro talent in the first 15 or so years of our existence.

The Moose have been fortunate enough in the last three seasons to have some great talent here. But I truly believe we've turned the corner when it comes to developing talent. Ducharme and his coaching staff are getting the most out of their players. More players like Weegar will be getting drafted as long as this coaching staff are here to develop them. The important thing is that when Ducharme and co leave for greener pastures, we go through the same process of hiring the right people for the job rather than just hiring the latest coach to be fired.

I guess the MOOSE have developed no goalies??

Should've said skaters I guess. We know Giguere is playing. We didn't exactly develop Joey MacDonald. Leclaire was good but injury prone and isn't playing anymore. But yah not a lot in the goaltending department.

[habh8er]

www.atlanticbusinessmagazine.ca/mobile/issues/ABM_v23n6/scoringposition.php

"So..." The new owner glanced around the room at the expectant faces of the small group of front office employees he'd inherited as part of his recent purchase of their company. "Who here handles group sales?"

It was September 2003, and Robert David Smith had just acquired 64 per cent of the Halifax Mooseheads junior hockey team from Moosehead Breweries'"

[Porkchop]

larger market money and stability of a franchise go hand in hand. In the Maritimes, it's not a surprise to see a ton of pros from Halifax, Saint John, and Moncton. That's not a bad thing, especially for the local fans....it just goes with the territory. Most of those guys had NHL aspirations before they even got to Jr hockey.

[SteveUL]

Apr 7, 2014 7:45:18 GMT -4 Porkchop said:

larger market money and stability of a franchise go hand in hand. In the Maritimes, it's not a surprise to see a ton of pros from Halifax, Saint John, and Moncton. That's not a bad thing, especially for the local fans....it just goes with the territory. Most of those guys had NHL aspirations before they even got to Jr hockey.

I think all kids coming into the CHL have NHL aspirations ... chasing the dream ... but they soon find out that it probably isn't going to happen for them. But kids coming into hockey programs with bonafide coaching and a track record of players making it to the next level will always have an advantage over teams that have a revolving door of Coaches and a history of players asking to be traded. Which team would you want your son to play for ?

CHL Teams have to invest in scouting and Coaching. Coaching is what you are selling to the players ... scouting is what allows you to find the players in the later rounds that can develop into real contributors. IF you want to bargain basement your Coaches ... hire Coaches that have failed several times elsewhere ... then what is it you are selling to the players to encourage them to choose your team to develop you into a pro career.

Also keep in mind ... that it is a small percentage that make it to the NHL ... but the CHL does produce many players that go on to pro careers (long or short). Many toil away in the minors ... but many head over to Europe and have long careers in lesser leagues and make a very comfortable living. It isn't really the original dream ... but a pretty good life playing hockey for a living and golfing through the summer. Many of them move into Coaching after hanging up the skates ... and extend that career and lifestyle by several more years.

[Porkchop]

Apr 7, 2014 8:14:04 GMT -4 SteveUL said:

Apr 7, 2014 7:45:18 GMT -4 Porkchop said:

larger market money and stability of a franchise go hand in hand. In the Maritimes, it's not a surprise to see a ton of pros from Halifax, Saint John, and Moncton. That's not a bad thing, especially for the local fans....it just goes with the territory. Most of those guys had NHL aspirations before they even got to Jr hockey.

I think all kids coming into the CHL have NHL aspirations ... chasing the dream ... but they soon find out that it probably isn't going to happen for them. But kids coming into hockey programs with bonafide coaching and a track record of players making it to the next level will always have an advantage over teams that have a revolving door of Coaches and a history of players asking to be traded. Which team would you want your son to play for ?

CHL Teams have to invest in scouting and Coaching. Coaching is what you are selling to the players ... scouting is what allows you to find the players in the later rounds that can develop into real contributors. IF you want to bargain basement your Coaches ... hire Coaches that have failed several times elsewhere ... then what is it you are selling to the players to encourage them to choose your team to develop you into a pro career.

Also keep in mind ... that it is a small percentage that make it to the NHL ... but the CHL does produce many players that go on to pro careers (long or short). Many toil away in the minors ... but many head over to Europe and have long careers in lesser leagues and make a very comfortable living. It isn't really the original dream ... but a pretty good life playing hockey for a living and golfing through the summer. Many of them move into Coaching after hanging up the skates ... and extend that career and lifestyle by several more years.

I understand all that, and agree.....CHL teams need to try to be stable, even with little cash flow....I don't want to get into a big market vs small market thing here as that wasn't my intentions, but a lot of these pros picked their jr team, instead of the jr team picking them. That is something that only large income can produce.....yes, it's good to get good scouting and coaching on every team, but sometimes that isn't enough and that has been proven over and over again. Almost on a yearly basis.

[SteveUL]

Apr 7, 2014 8:51:49 GMT -4 Porkchop said:

Apr 7, 2014 8:14:04 GMT -4 SteveUL said:

I think all kids coming into the CHL have NHL aspirations ... chasing the dream ... but they soon find out that it probably isn't going to happen for them. But kids coming into hockey programs with bonafide coaching and a track record of players making it to the next level will always have an advantage over teams that have a revolving door of Coaches and a history of players asking to be traded. Which team would you want your son to play for ?

CHL Teams have to invest in scouting and Coaching. Coaching is what you are selling to the players ... scouting is what allows you to find the players in the later rounds that can develop into real contributors. IF you want to bargain basement your Coaches ... hire Coaches that have failed several times elsewhere ... then what is it you are selling to the players to encourage them to choose your team to develop you into a pro career.

Also keep in mind ... that it is a small percentage that make it to the NHL ... but the CHL does produce many players that go on to pro careers (long or short). Many toil away in the minors ... but many head over to Europe and have long careers in lesser leagues and make a very comfortable living. It isn't really the original dream ... but a pretty good life playing hockey for a living and golfing through the summer. Many of them move into Coaching after hanging up the skates ... and extend that career and lifestyle by several more years.

I understand all that, and agree.....CHL teams need to try to be stable, even with little cash flow....I don't want to get into a big market vs small market thing here as that wasn't my intentions, but a lot of these pros picked their jr team, instead of the jr team picking them. That is something that only large income can produce.....yes, it's good to get good scouting and coaching on every team, but sometimes that isn't enough and that has been proven over and over again. Almost on a yearly basis.

Scouting and Coaching should be a team's highest priority. Your team is only as good as your scouting and Coaching. It isn't that difficult to recognize the skills of the guys that go in the top rounds. A Scouts real value is finding the guys in the later rounds that turn into great players.

Of course there is more to creating success than just strong scouting and coaching ... but those are key. A strong billet system ... strong educational program ... quality veteran leadership for players on and off the ice ... providing the things that players need to be successful (equipment, facilities, support staff, etc.) ... making sure a player feels he belongs ... making sure a player is part of the community ... making sure the parents are always in the loop. Ultimately ... making sure a player is happy where he is.

If you are a team that cheaps on a Coach and scouts ... cheaps on equipment ... bring in guys that are discarded by other teams ... have to constantly deal with players asking to be traded ... trade for players wanting out from other teams ... then you are doing something wrong.

Most of that has nothing to do with having deep pockets. It is simply a case of investing money in the team. If your team can't afford to invest in the team to the level that is needed ... then you are in the wrong league.

[Porkchop]

Apr 7, 2014 9:09:13 GMT -4 SteveUL said:

Apr 7, 2014 8:51:49 GMT -4 Porkchop said:

I understand all that, and agree.....CHL teams need to try to be stable, even with little cash flow....I don't want to get into a big market vs small market thing here as that wasn't my intentions, but a lot of these pros picked their jr team, instead of the jr team picking them. That is something that only large income can produce.....yes, it's good to get good scouting and coaching on every team, but sometimes that isn't enough and that has been proven over and over again. Almost on a yearly basis.

Scouting and Coaching should be a team's highest priority. Your team is only as good as your scouting and Coaching. It isn't that difficult to recognize the skills of the guys that go in the top rounds. A Scouts real value is finding the guys in the later rounds that turn into great players.

Of course there is more to creating success than just strong scouting and coaching ... but those are key. A strong billet system ... strong educational program ... quality veteran leadership for players on and off the ice ... providing the things that players need to be successful (equipment, facilities, support staff, etc.) ... making sure a player feels he belongs ... making sure a player is part of the community ... making sure the parents are always in the loop. Ultimately ... making sure a player is happy where he is.

If you are a team that cheaps on a Coach and scouts ... cheaps on equipment ... bring in guys that are discarded by other teams ... have to constantly deal with players asking to be traded ... trade for players wanting out from other teams ... then you are doing something wrong.

Most of that has nothing to do with having deep pockets. It is simply a case of investing money in the team. If your team can't afford to invest in the team to the level that is needed ... then you are in the wrong league.

I agree with everything that is needed...I've watched it done the wrong way far too long...however all of those things you listed to make a successful franchise, need the resources to finance them. This thread isn't really about getting guys out of the deep rounds though...it's about the high end guys who have gone pro. Those guys are most likely willing to play for certain teams, or only a few teams have the resources to convince them to show up, as the past and present has shown. That being said, it's not a surprise to see the majority of pro guys coming out of the Maritimes to be coming from the teams they are.