Invest in your assets: Development is Key

It’s one of the first things they’ll teach you in business. It’s what we tell our high school students all across America. Invest in yourself and invest in your future. So why would this be the same advice that a general manager receives on their first day? Because the future of an organization is key to long term growth and success. This is precisely why developing your athletes is vital to the success of your franchise. From my short career in hockey, I have learned firsthand exactly what investing in your young talent can do to bolster your club in the years to come. For the purposes of this article, I am going to “stay in my lane” if you will and write what I know and what I have seen….

Before we get to that, I should share my background (maybe to give me a little bit of credibility). I am a recent college graduate from the University of Connecticut. I majored in sport management and throughout my time in college, I had the pleasure to work with not only the UConn men’s ice hockey team, but also the Nashville Predators. Growing up in Nashville, it was an absolute dream to be able to work for a franchise I had watched find its footing as I did. Going to Predators games were some of my fondest memories as a child. When I received the call that I had been chosen as the Hockey Operations Summer Intern in the summer of 2017, I had no idea the ride I would be in for. I was able to witness a team overcome absolute underdog status and get to compete for the first Stanley Cup in their franchise’s history. It was unbelievable. Thus, reinforcing my intense love for all things professional hockey. And while at this moment as I write this, I have not found a home in a front office just yet, I hope that I will get to live out the ultimate dream and take my team to a Stanley Cup one day too….

So, let’s get back to development and why it matters….

Invest in your assets. When looking at a team such as the Nashville Predators, they have done just that. Within the NHL, development often occurs within the American Hockey League (AHL). Generally, players will sign an entry level contract either right out of the draft, right out of college or somewhere in between. Under the current NHL Collective Bargaining Agreement, a “normal” entry level contract is approximately 3 years (they can vary in length depending on the players’ skill, etc.). Within these years, players are HUNGRY to prove to coaches and management that they are worth the shot to play with the big boys (and a few extra bucks too…). Depending on skill set and the need of a club, players generally start in the AHL in order to prove their worth. Every player wants to be called up but it’s those who show their true grit and talent that receive this ultimate prize.

Franchises are built on talent. This doesn’t come overnight. Whether a club acquires a player from the juniors, college, Europe, another team, etc. it is important that he be acclimated to their systems and shown just how that team operates. This acclimation occurs with the help of the AHL system. For teams like the Predators, they run their systems similarly in both clubs. This is to ensure that once a player is called up, he knows exactly what is expected of him in both locker rooms and the transition is seamless. In my eyes, a player can truly benefit from adequate preparation in the minor leagues. The maturation in both his style of play and who he is off the ice is vital for a successful and long career in the NHL.

Writing again from where I know, I have been fortunate to have been shown just how many players this system of development has benefited. Players like Filip Forsberg, Mattias Ekholm, Pekka Rinne, Ryan Ellis, Roman Josi, Viktor Arvidsson, and so many others that have graced the roster of the Predators over the years have also paid their dues in the minors. Forsberg played 50 games (including playoffs) for the Milwaukee Admirals (the Nashville Predators’ AHL affiliate) in the 13-14 season. During this time, he scored 36 points. During his first full season with the Predators in 14-15, he almost doubled that scoring 63 points (a franchise rookie record). Josi played 87 games (including playoffs) for the Admirals in the 10-11 and 11-12 season. He honed his talents as a skilled skater and leader on the ice and now proudly wears the “C” for the Predators. He also holds the franchise record for most points in a single season with 61 during 15-16. Rinne played for the Admirals in 169 games (including playoffs) during the 05-06, 06-07, and 07-08 seasons. He too honed his craft during this time and now holds just about every goalie franchise record to date including wins, saves, and shutouts.

This development season (while longer for some than others) gives players an opportunity to perfect their skill and their leadership in the locker room. It gives them an opportunity to become the filthy goal scorer like Filip Forsberg is today. It gives them an opportunity to fine tune their defensive skills like those of Roman Josi. It gives them an opportunity to hone their skills and become a Vezina Trophy winning goalie like Pekka Rinne.

Now, I would be naïve to sit here and write this without addressing the few outliers. Dante Fabbro is one in particular that jumps out of the current Predators roster. However, this young player took extra time with his college team (Boston University) in order to develop as a leader and a better defenseman. With 43 games under his belt so far on his first full NHL season this year, who’s to say what exactly this young talent has in store as part of the next generation in Predators defensemen. While outliers like Fabbro exist, time to mature (whether it be in the minors, college, juniors, etc.) truly matters in the life of a young hockey player.

Development simply works. While some teams do not believe in this system, throughout my experience, those who trust the process truly enjoy a prosperous and successful career in the NHL. There are always outliers in the system, but the bottom line shows that practice truly does make perfect. If evidenced by the Predators development system, a career in the NHL is not the easiest one to build. It takes time, patience, and trust in your coaches and your management team. A players’ talent can certainly stem from birth; however, it is important to continue to cultivate these players both on and off the ice. This is what breeds better players. This is what breeds champions.