The Pre Draft combine produces results. Getting players in the right situation, not just any situation is what proper player placement is all about.
Sometimes, players struggle to find the right organization. Sometimes they may go from one team to another over the years looking to find the right place that will allow them to maximize their potential. Brett Wagner has made a few stops along his junior hockey journey, and in his last junior hockey season he has found the right place for him.
Elliot Lake Bobcats Head Coach Ryan Leonard, has figured out how to use Brett Wagner in a way that allows the team to have a high degree of scoring success. What did it take? Accurate scouting, and placing a player into a system that let his skill be used instead of putting a player into a role that is not one where he fits in naturally.
This week, Brett Wagner earned on of the NOJHL’s Weekly Three Stars for his efforts. The NOJHL said the following:
BRETT WAGNER (F) ELLIOT LAKE BOBCATS – A model of consistency so far this season, Wagner was influential in seeing Elliot Lake extended a franchise-best win streak to five games with a pair of victories last week.
Friday night he set-up the winning goal and later added a tally of his own to help the Bobcats roll over Blind River at Centennial Arena.
Saturday he came through again by notching the game-winner in overtime as Elliot Lake completed the sweep of the home-and-home set vs. the Beavers.
The offensive efforts of the 20-year-old veteran forward, who calls Centennial, Colo., home not only allowed his team to continue their winning streak, he also prolonged his own point run to six consecutive outings.
On the season Wagner sits second in the NOJHL in goals with 18 while also topping the league in shorthanded efforts with three while leading the Bobcats and sitting seventh overall in points with 27. Full Article here
The NOJHL is a league that is embracing the NCAA development model in a much more aggressive manner in recent years. The proof is obvious with many more NCAA Division 1 Scouts attending games, and many offers now being presented to NOJHL players from D-1 as well as D-3 programs.
Wagner is in that group garnering NCAA interest as several schools are now following his NOJHL exploits.
While Wagner is excited and humbled by the Weekly Award, when reached by phone last night he made one thing clear;
“I am just working hard and want to help my team. What happens with school next year will be up to the scouts and admissions offices. While its my dream to play for an NCAA program, I am focussed on the task at hand in Elliot Lake. I want to enjoy my last junior season and continue to grow as a player.”
Scoring goals, winning games and having fun. Not a bad way to close out a junior career.
Joseph Kolodziej – Publisher
