We in hockey love our history—we love to reminisce about our favorite players from childhood, the year our team almost won the Cup (or actually did), how we loved the smell of the ice in our favorite old barn. But most of us do not reminisce about past rookie tournaments or even think about them once the season begins.
But as I was watching last week’s Buffalo Prospects Challenge (the largest of the now 10 rookie tournaments taking place prior to the opening of training camps), it reminded me of what was once the premiere prospect hockey tournament--the tournament for prospects at the Center Ice Arena in Traverse City, Michigan.
I am reminiscing about it because, although the tournament took place for more than 25 years, it was dark for the first time this year. I am sad that this crown jewel of rookie tournaments, which took place every September more than 250 miles northwest of Detroit, appears to be no more.
Let me tell you a bit about how it was to be there. Close to a thousand scouts, young players, front office folks and a few media professionals would fly up to this excellent facility in a beautiful town on the edge of Lake Michigan. We all went to watch future NHLers, scout potential minor leaguers, and, for a few of us, get the scoop on the eight teams that used to play there every fall. Although most recently, the tournament had fewer teams competing (what used to be eight teams taking part was now two), and it was televised, it still was a great spot to watch and talk and listen.
In fact, 20 or even 15 years ago, it was a very informal affair. Everyone sat together and mingled, staff, players not on the ice, and the media sat with fans and the night and weekend games were always standing room. Imagine media engaging with scouts and management and players and their families--informally and freely--without any PR department involvement. And everyone had a good time without worrying that they said would be misinterpreted or even ever appear in print or online or in a tweet. .
That is not to say that the current prospects tournaments are unfriendly, or hockey is not as good to watch. The tournaments are great and so is the hockey. Players in the newer tournaments (which are often closer to home for the teams) still display their outstanding skills, which fans that attend and stream are treated to. But the atmosphere around the tournaments is very different than it used to be. There are fanfests and scheduled interviews with players (that are usually then put online and streamed for everyone to see), but it is much harder to just sit around with players and scouts and chat; It’s certainly very hard to really get to know who the players and scouts are when PR departments control so much of their availability.
So, maybe it’s more than the wonderful Traverse City prospect tournament that I miss (although the pumpkin donuts and cherry pies we used to rush to buy before they were sold out were once in a lifetime). It is life that has changed. And with it, the way we cover hockey changed along with it. And although the fans get more “coverage” of the sport now, fans are generally further away from getting to know their favorite player, and further away from knowing what any team is really thinking at any given moment.
To understand some of that, you need to have connections and people need to know they can trust you. I have always been committed to being on the inside. I may not be breaking stories, but I give you the truth as it is told to me personally or I see with my own eyes. I know that I like getting information from people who understand what is going on and understand the intricacies of the game--people who, like me, truly have a passion for the sport and want to share that with passionate fans. That is why, after 20 years, I am still here doing what I love.
So, while Traverse City Center Ice rinks may be dark this fall (hopefully not permanently), I am committed to bringing light to reporting what I see and hear this coming hockey season. I hope that you will join me.
Happy 2025-26 season everyone!