If you are an OJHL player that hasn't been drafted to the OHL, recruited by the NCAA or attending a CIS institution and still want to pursue a career in hockey there are plenty of options available at the end of your junior career.
North America
At this point in your career you must be realistic in your goals. Your goal of playing in the NHL may never happen but who is to say that you cannot have a career in hockey. There are plenty of minor professional leagues around North America where you can continue playing hockey and make a living!
One option is to seek representation from a professional service which deals in placing players in the different leagues. A huge benefit of having someone working on your behalf is the contacts that an agency will have and the opportunities they will present. Remember to do your research when looking for an agency that offers these types of services. You can look on the internet to see how many of these agencies are out there and which one is the best for you and your situation. It's your career so be diligent in your search.
Although having representation is a big help, there is no rule that says you can not look for opportunities on your own. With representing yourself, you need to remember that you are a name on a piece of paper to clubs. Therefore, your resume becomes very important. Do your research and find out which teams are holding tryouts, call the coaches/GMs, forward your resume, whatever it takes to get your name in front of them. With representing yourself, you will only get out what you put in!
Please look at our "League Links" section of the website under "Professional - North America" to find all of the league links you will need in your search.
Europe And The Rest Of The World
Hockey players often forget that there is a whole other world of hockey overseas and plenty of opportunities available. Professional ice hockey is being played in such countries as Australia, South Africa, Spain and even Israel. Countries such as Finland, Germany, Italy, Japan, Sweden and the Swiss Elite League salaries are comparible to the American and International Hockey Leagues in North America.
The European flood gates have opened to Europe and the United Kingdom over the past few years, with more and more North American Professional, Junior A and College players playing overseas. Most countries that offer professional hockey at the Premier, Elite or First Division level have an unlimited amount of import cards available on each roster.
Again, the need for professional representation for placement may be an option. A good hockey agency can help you maximize your career.
As well, there are ways to represent yourself, similiar to that of looking for a team in North America, by contacting the teams and finding out their situations.
Both options can provide you with a chance to participate in a once-in-a-lifetime experience and the opportunity to live and travel to interesting countries.
In our "League Links" section you will find links to information on all leagues around the world.
