Prospect Camp among best quality in Liberty Hockey history | Club Sports

May 21, 2021  |  Lynchburg, Va. 

Although COVID restrictions prevented Canadian recruits from traveling to this week’s Flames Prospect Camp, nearly 120 potential Liberty University ACHA Division I, II, and III men’s hockey players participated in two intensive days of games and received assessment from the Flames’ experienced coaching staffs.   

“From all three teams, we are super pleased with the quality of players that we have in each group this year,” said Liberty Division II men’s Head Coach Ben Hughes, who also serves as Club Sports director of recruitment. “In our opinion, this is one of the highest quality camps we’ve had.”

Players were divided into three groups of two teams, roughly corresponding to Division I, II, and III prospects. Each team played four two-period games (two per day), with current Liberty players filling out the rosters as a way to introduce the prospects to the program and the Flames’ style of play.

A prospective player transitions the puck through the neutral zone.

Between games played throughout the day coaches from the three teams provided panel discussions on Thursday and constructive feedback to each of the players through one-on-one meetings on Friday.

Hughes said players have come from all over the country, but mostly the East Coast, with a large group from Minnesota and a couple others from out West.

“Of those that are here, about 95 of them are actual prospects and we have about 20 to 30 guys that are looking to come in the fall,” Hughes said, noting there have been a number of surprisingly talented prospects on hand.

Without as many recruiting showcases this past year, again due to COVID, or even as many games for coaches and scouts to travel to for in-person assessment, attracting prospects to participate in this week’s camp took persistence from Liberty’s coaches in calling players as well as their coaches and parents.

“We knew we had to hit the phones and hit the recruiting trail because getting guys here would be even harder than normal,” Hughes said, noting that because college players receive an extra year of eligibility after COVID canceled many teams’ seasons, there are more potential recruits still searching for college programs. “Junior hockey players may not have as many options this year, so there’s a bigger pool of better players out there for this coming year, which is a great opportunity for us.”

He said getting those players on campus is the key to receiving actual commitments.

“The facilities help us with recruitment and also just the support that we provide from our (Club Sports) department for the whole student-athlete — whether it’s from academics or strength and conditioning or athletic training or spiritual development,” Hughes said.

A prospective goalie peers from the bench during a line change during a Division III contest.

He said the coaches are cautious not to promise too many players roster spots before the three teams hold final tryouts from Aug. 22-26, during the first full week of fall semester classes.

“We don’t want to handcuff ourselves and overcommit now,” Hughes said. “We want to make sure we have a couple spots available for guys that come in the fall. We want to be super honest and transparent with the guys … giving them assessment and letting them know where they fit in … and then we will continue to have conversations throughout the summer.”

 

By Ted Allen/Staff Writer

Players look to finish a fast break for a score during Thursday’s action at the LaHaye Ice Center.