About Us

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MARCH 8, 2024

 TELL IT LIKE IT IS

ATTENTION YOUTH PARENTS AND PLAYERS

IF YOUR YOUTH ORGANIZATION IS USA HOCKEY REGISTERED AND THEY ARE HAVING TRYOUTS PRIOR TO THE DATES DISPLAYED THEY ARE IN DIRECT VIOLATION OF USA HOCKEY. TEAMS CAN NOT HAVE TRYOUTS NOR SIGN A CONTRACT BEFORE THESE DATES. WE HAVE A LIST OF TEAMS THAT ARE IN COMPLETE VIOLATION OF THESE RULES. THESE TEAMS AND ORGANIZATIONS CAN BE FINED AND PENALIZED INCLUDING NOT ELIGIBLE FOR NATIONALS. DO NOT PUT YOUR CHILD IN JEOPARDY BY JOINING THESE ORGANIZATION.

SO WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO IS CONTINUE OUR TELL IT LIKE IT IS ONE WEEK FROM TODAY. IF THESE ORGANIZATIONS DO NOT CHANGE THEIR DATES WE WILL POST THEM ON HERE AND TAG USA HOCKEY BECAUSE WE TELL IT LIKE IT IS #TELLITLIKEITIS 

MARCH 1, 2024

 YOUTH PLAYERS AND PARENTS THIS IS IMPORTANT

For the 2024-25 season USA HOCKEY plans on changing the path of youth hockey as we know it today. The rules that about to be released will effect how teams do business such as tryouts and offering roster spots. More importantly it's going to have an extreme effect on the consumer which is the player and parent.

If you have an advisor and they don't know about this or havent told you about this we suggest get a new advisor.
We strongly suggest consulting a professional for this upcoming season. We suggest acting before April 8th or it will be too late And this is the reason why we TELL IT LIKE IT IS #nobueno
#TELLITLIKEITIS 

JANUARY 27, 2024

 FOLLOWUP AND UPDATES TO PAST TELL IT LIKE IT IS

RICHMOND

The good news is all players to the best of our knowledge has found a team.

The bad news is most did not receive any assistance unless it was a former coach, an advisor or own their own.

REFUNDS no one has received one nor all questions remain unanswered. We strongly suggest the players and parents ban together they have a case

THE TOPIC OF COMMITMENTS

it is clear to us that our blog was read by the offending party due to the following added commitments and a text message.

Well we have additional information we have been told that players get their first offer and if they don't accept are threaten for removal from team. We have also found out that a stipend is also provided.

So I believe we have a new term called BULLYING a COMMITMENT. but as long as it counts in this seasons total after all no one will look at college rosters next year but us because we TELL IT LIKE IT IS #tellitlikeitis 

JANUARY 20, 2024

 COMMITMENTS

This is a current hot topic as teams and leagues puff out their chest of who is better etc.

Let's explain a few things on the word commitment. 1) just because you have been accepted into the school does not make this a commitment. 2) you need to make the team for this to be truly considered a commitment.

With this being said with some research a league leading team in "commitments" stated they had 44 College commitments in 2 seasons. So that would make the team the country's leader having committed 44 of their 50 players. Quite remarkable and that type of marketing and promoting who wouldn't want to go there Right! Well our staff researched all 44 "commitments " and we found that only 19 actually made the team and played a game. So with that 19 commitments put that team 30th most commitments. Now I'm guessing that isn't necessarily a heavy marketing or recruiting tool being 30th.

So at the end of the day the word commitment is deceiving just like most of these teams who say they commit and that's why we TELL IT LIKE IT IS #COMMITMENTALERT #NOTSOFAST ##TELLITLIKEITIS 

DECEMBER 22, 2023

 TELL IT LIKE IT IS

RICHMOND PART 2

Well the very next morning after our TELL IT LIKE IT IS the USPHL sent a CYA email making sure that the players and parents knew the league was there to help.

Ok great thanks for the effort but you need to respond to your emails there are STILL 3 players with no home and still no help from the former owner or league. Also in this said CYA email there was no mention of REFUNDS. Our sources that at least 15 players and families are owed over $500 and in one instance THOUSANDS. Nothing to see here right. This is not acceptable so players parents it's up to you what the next step is.

On a bright note rumor has it next time someone returns to Ceasars at Vegas in the Spring they are collecting a large sum of money so that might be a good opportunity to get your refund after all it might be very well be yours anyway. So now I put it on the players and parents contact each other do a group effort and don't be afraid to contact your local media im sure they can tell your story in meantime we will continue to TELL IT LIKE T IS #DOWHATISRIGHT 

DECEMBER 15, 2023

 TELL IT LIKE IT IS

This a very unfortunate edition that needs to be written as many many adults have dropped the ball in this situation.

1) There are still 3 players that were on these Richmond rosters that have not found homes. Where are you USPHL? When speaking to one of the players he stated his messages to ownership about assisting has gone unanswered.

2) At the so called exit meetings all the players were told by ownership that even though there is no season all contracts need to be paid in full no refunds Where are you USPHL? SIDE NOTE It's a service contract which wasn't fully honored or complete therefore that is incorrect regarding contract. At very worse it gets prorated for what was played so in my opinion refunds are owed to a few families and players

3) From multiple sources no coach was flown in for interim basis and when players asked about a new coach they were told not happening. Also allegedly staff was told they were interim until we can fold the teams.

4) From multiple sources the coach personal leave initial reasons were indeed false but other personal circumstances and situations became involved also the aforementioned coach allegedly requested inappropriate pictures from a players parent

All the above have been cross-referenced and triple checked by players staff and even some parents.

We aren't here to bury anyone we are here to make sure these players and their families are taken care of. 1) placement on teams 2) Refunds of whose owed them.

So we ask that USPHL and teams in USPHL take care of these players because it's obvious thus far people have dropped the ball. If need be we will tell more because we TELL IT LIKE IT IS #DOTHISRIGHT #PLAYERS ##TELLITLIKEITIS 

DECEMBER 8, 2023

 TELL IT LIKE IT IS

Last week the topic was stop Tier 3 expansion and 4 days later 2 Tier 3 teams fold. HMMMM? Well we have alot of information being reported to us and let's say the statements we are being told aren't being aligned with what is being shared. So this is what we are going to do this week we will focus on making sure every player has a home and next Friday we will TELL IT LIKE IT IS #thingsdontaddup #nothingtoseehere #tellitlikeitis 

DECEMBER 1, 2023

 TELL IT LIKE IT IS

TIER 3 JUNIOR EXPANSION
Please stop the expansion we're just expanding to expand but have no reason for expansion. We have tons of teams that are not close to the full rosters. We have many teams that don't have players that are even junior quality and are nothing more than glorified high school teams.

We have Tier 2 teams that, then we have 30 something players with them and 6 or more aren't even on the roster or protected but they are sticking around waiting for a dream instead of playing games and developing.

OWNERS or Prospective owners you have less than a 15% of becoming profitable unless you own your own rink and do things correctly for the players. The only ones making money are the leagues and the commissioners. So let's help the game and STOP TIER 3 EXPANSION because we TELL IT LIKE IT IS #tellitlikeitis 

NOVEMBER 4, 2023

 This was very hard to write sorry for this SPECIAL EDITION OF TELL IT LIKE IT IS

In the last 7 days we have lost hockey people who were way too young to die. Both died driving initial indication is speed. One on a motorcycle and one in a truck who hit black ice. Both leave unbelievable friends and families behind wondering what could we have done. The answer truthfully is NOTHING. But here at Top Hockey Prospect has a lesson for anyone can read this SLOW DOWN enjoy life is too darn short. Driving vehicles is a dangerous weapon when not used properly. So please be careful out there because we TELL IT LIKE IT IS #tellitlikeitis #tophockeyprospect 

OCTOBER 7, 2023

 THIS WEEKS TOPIC

TEAMS BROKEN PROMISES AND HOLDING PLAYERS HOSTAGE

We have received over half dozen calls and emails just over the past week from players and parents who are seeking releases from teams that have not led up to expectations as well as teams holding players rights hostage.

Below are some examples:

Promised top 6 minutes and in first 10 games either scratched or 4th line playing a shift or 2 a period

Making a player who has already graduated high school attend and pay for academy to take additional high

Expecting a player after only playing 1 month to pay the full bill or not granting a release.

Threatening an import who asked to leave pay bill in full or will pull your visa

Coach telling player he by far the best defenseman on team. The player makes his payments and following day cuts the player and won't return players money.

All of the above scenarios are real it's time for players and parents to hold these teams and coaches accountable. If any player or parents need assistance in situations or similar to these contact tophockeyprospect@gmail.com because we TELL IT LIKE IT IS #tellitlikeitis #tophockeyprospect 

OCTOBER 1, 2023

 TODAYS TOPIC (SORRY FOR DELAY)
TOP HOCKEY PROSPECT and what it means to be a client.

This past week has been a great example why we started TOP HOCKEY PROSPECT 4 plus years ago.

Couple examples of how tight knit group we have with clients and advisors. Example a former client (one of the first client's) called before his first Junior head coaching game. Another going out with a former clients family to dinner before seeing their son play a college.

These examples show we are more than an advisory company. We treat each client and their family as OUR FAMILY.

How many advisors can say they can offer lifelong experiences and memories? Let me help 1 and that is TOP HOCKEY PROSPECT because we TELL IT LIKE IS! #tellitlikeitis #tophockeyprospect #clients 

SEPTEMBER 22, 2023

 With the return of another season it's Time for the NEWEST EDITION OF TELL IT LIKE IT IS
TODAYS TOPIC

NCDC WEST Tier 2?

So NCDC West got granted Tier 2 status your initial reaction oh great gives more players to play Tier 2 tuition free hockey.

Well the games haven't even started and we can tell you that some teams are not Tier 2 standards by any means. Let's provide some examples from some of the teams

5 goalies with less than a week to go
40 players still practicing on a team
Teams with 7 03s and have to get down to 4 in a week
Apartments with 7 8 guys in it sleeping on couches

We know there are some very good Tier 3 operators in the bunch but there are some bad ones and organizations didn't change leadership to transition to Tier 2

Ok some of you might think some of things are petty how bout this THEN Those apartments I spoke of earlier players being charged 500 a piece times 6 or 7 that's 3000 to 3500 a month. Rent is half that players aren't paying landlord paying team (using a false name to cover it up) we have done the calculations team is profiting approximately 60000 That money essentially sounds like ice costs officiating travel etc All these items are FREE in Tier 2 but not in NCDC West. They have found a way to charge the players anyway Some call that out of box thinking or creative. I call it not Tier 2 and I will make sure if anyone asks if it is We will TELL IT LIKE IT IS! 

SPECIAL EDITION
BIGGER THAN THE GAME

Today's edition has been long overdue.
So we'll start out with the views and opinions expressed. Tell it like it has no Reflections on Top Hockey Prospects staff or clients. Like all TELL LIKE IT LIKE IS segments, these are all factual stories and have written proof or witnesses.
First on the list is a current EHL coach who has decided to single handedly try to ruin a players collegiate future .All of the schools that were interested in the player he bad mouthed to the respective coaches, and all of them immediately lost interest in the player. The coach then went on to ghost this said player and not attempt to assist this player to be committed. Luckily for the player, his support system family, advisor, and his fiormer coaches helped him get committed.
The second coach, a former EHL coach, is currently coaching in another Junior league who used the same exact playbook on several players. Luckily for those players, they also had a strong support system as well. However, this situation is different and disturbing. Some quick incident are taken from group chats, road trips, and meetings. Inviting players over to party. Catching players doing things in their car before a road trip with no discipline but simply say "Daddy knows everything " There are many more stories but we only share what we have actual proof rather than just state untrue fabrications like some people do which brings us to our 3rd person.
This 3rd person is a so-called advisor. He has a track record longer than the Mississippi River. He has done so many things and represents so many causes. Just ask him he will tell you. We can't list all the allegations here because of character limits, but here are a few: defunct leagues missing funds, not once, not twice, but you guessed it HAT TRICK. Let's see how bout 15 page background report. Oh, nothing to see here. Let's call out everyone on their alleged misgivings and be told you're wrong and say I don't care about the TRUTH.
ALL 3 shouldn't be involved in hockey because they all think think they are BIGGER THAN THE GAME! We have the proof, and that's why we TELL IT LIKE IT IS! #tellitlikeitis 

MAY 31, 2023

TELL IT LIKE IT IS

SPECIAL EDITION CAMPS/TRYOUTS

Attention Players and Parents STOP
We have had about 10 separate incidents we have been notified of a happening at a camp or a tryout that you are paying money for.
1 53 yr old being invited to camp
2 an advisory company calling saying that player had a great camp (the player didn't attend)
3 other advisors clients calling saying my advisors keep telling me to go to camps and work harder
4 scouting book has wrong birth year
5 scouting book has older brothers name who isn't at camp
6 scouting book has wrong level I played at
7 players being told we will call in a week to let you know if u got an invite to main camp
8 player was cut by team at predraft camp player gets home had a main camp invite in an email by a team he just got cut by
9 promised other coaches would be at camp 3 people there all parents but 1 was a peewee coach
10 received a call saying I have been to 3 camps and got cut but get 6 more invites after each camp

So all these situations are REAL All these situations have many things in common. BAD DECISIONS, BAD ADVICE, FUNDRAISERS, ALL ABOUT MONEY and the MOST IMPORTANT THING none of these were TOP HOCKEY PROSPECT clients if this has happened to you stop wasting money TOP HOCKEY PROSPECT saves you money we don't get paid by teams to send you to a camp like others do. If you don't want to be another example contact us tophockeyprospect@gmail.com 

APRIL 21, 2023

 PLACEMENT WEEK SPECIAL EDITION
TELL IT LIKE IT IS

Did we get your attention yet with the onslaught of placements I hope so!!

ATTENTION BUYER BEWARE

IT has been brought to our attention that several USPHL Elite programs are offering contracts to players they have never seen live or on video 13 to 17k contracts to play Elite. So that sounds pretty bad right? Nope 1 organization took it a step further when player asked how can you offer me a contract you never saw me U READY ? THE RESPONSE We will promise that you will never be CUT OR TRADED. LMAO that is probably more ridiculous to believe that was a sales pitch and response. So if you have been told or promised that please email us tophockeyprospect@gmail.com will find you a better organization. That is why we TELL IT LIKE IT IS 

MARCH 25.2023

As another season concludes as does our daily features and posts We will of course give you Breaking news and Tournament PLACEMENT ASSISTANCE posts, Commitment and PLACEMENT alert that will still remain. We will tell you We do have a SPECIAL EDITION TELL IT LIKE IS COMING sometime this weekend or beginning of the week we assure you it will be a whopper.

So as far as our last regular TELL IT LIKE IT IS Let the blind emails and selling email lists begin ITS TRYOUT SEASON but not for TOP HOCKEY PROSPECT clients save your money and join us . We will guarantee you still get an email inviting you somewhere because after all no one is going to tell you it's a fundraiser but TOP HOCKEY PROSPECT because we TELL IT LIKE IT IS  

MARCH 18, 2023

 TODAYS TOPIC Teams announcing COMMITMENTS

It's been a heated topic over the last few years of what team/league had most COMMITMENTS to colleges.

So time to bustoelet some bubble COMMITMENT is if that player actually plays for that respective school not that they got accepted into schools.

We have done a bit of research and we have found some alarming evidence from leagues/teams doing false COMMITMENTS and we have from 3 sources that coaches are getting kickbacks because coaches are getting enrollment bonuses.

So here is the tip of the day So you don't fall for the FALSE COMMITMENT NUMBERS contact TOP HOCKEY PROSPECT tophockeyprospect@gmail.com we will prevent you from being a number or a paycheck from a didhonest team or coach because we TELL IT LIKE IT IS 

MARCH 17, 2023

 TODAYS TOPIC
 SPECIAL EDITION TELL IT LIKE IT IS

Being stranded at airport 5 flight changes SUCK and that is TELL IT LIKE IT IS THE real edition when we arrive 

MARCH 10, 2023

 TODAYS TOPIC

COMMON COURTESY

Common courtesy in 2023 is a lost art.

Players here are a few suggestions I f a coach calls texts or sends an email always respond. You respond no matter what whether you are interested or not. You also thank the coach for their interest. Lastly for the players as you narrow your options down please make sure you tell the coaches who are no longer in the running.

Coaches are guilty of common courtesy as well. If someone inquiries about your program respond it's a customer. It is irrelevant if you are interested or not. If you aren't interested please let the person know.

Tryout camps lack this the most. A player pays $500 and has to wait a hour after camp is over to look a paper taed to a door to find out if they made the next cut. Common courtesy they paid $500 bucks at least provide feedback the player is paying your salary.

RESPOND ANSWER it is COMMON COURTESY even if it's 2023 because we TELL IT LIKE IT IS 

MARCH 3, 2023

 PLAYOFF EDITION

Today we talk about how every client playing Juniors has made playoffs. Hats off to these young men not only supporting their teams sometimes carrying it but also supporting and representing our brand.

This is strong testament not only our belief of these players and their abilities but also our selections of players we take on as a clients. Also not to mention the coaches and teams we send our clients too. If you are a player who is looking to advance and want to be with winner or a team that is interested in our clients email us tophockeyprospect@gmail.com. Why not join a winner and someone who is going to TELL IT LIKE IT IS 

FEBRUARY 24, 2023

 TRAVELING

Teams have guidelines on how they are supposed to be traveling go games, road trips etc. We thought it would be beneficial to compile a list of teams not honoring their commitments. It will serve purpose for several reasons 1) to inform team to give them an opportunity yo explain themselves 2) make sure we I form our clients if that's a destination 3) we can look into what else they are cutting corners with.

So we need your help in this edition do we can TELL IT LIKE IT IS Email us tophockeyprospect@gmail.com let us know what's not being promised 

 FEBRUARY 17, 2023

 TODAYS TOPIC A BIT OF A VENT

It is quite obvious when you start to follow our page and the same day we lose a client. We also know that you have a previous relationship with our client.

We are well aware of who you are and it's a shame because you run a good program and we have referred several clients there in the past.

So let me make you aware of a few things what you are doing is slanderous untrue libel and defamation of character. For the sole reason everything you are saying are completely false. Also this is tortious interference of a business. All of these actions are also unacceptable. These actions have been sent to our attornies and said parties will be notified. In addition if we find anything additional we will also be going to the authorities.

The worst part was the client was improving and getting confidence in his abilities and everyone was happy. But a jealous adult who is supposed to be helping youths and making a profit off of them now may have jeopardized this young man's future. VENT OVER if you have questions we have the answers as well as the PROOF not hearsay because WE TELL IT LIKE IT IS 

FEBRUARY 10, 2023

 DEADLINES

No matter what level you are playing or advancing to has deadlines. These are extremely important and you should know all of them because they could dictate your future.

There are many deadlines at all levels. Roster deadlines, trade deadlines, certain percentage of refunds deadlines, college applications deadlines.

If you are saying to yourself where do I find these or I have no idea what he is talking about. It might be too late but if you are in this situation we suggest contacting tophockeyprospect@gmail.com and give us your scenario and if it isn't too late we will try to help and if it is too late we will come up with alternatives. Lastly if you already have an advisor and you don't know about deadlines find out about your contract deadline and don't renew because they don't TELL IT LIKE IT IS 

FEBRURARY 3, 2023

 TODAYS TOPIC NHL

Well every player wants to make it to the NHL. We live in a fantasy world lwhere no one is realistic and don't realize the odds of making it to the NHL. The odds of making it Division 1 is almost as tough. In fact not everyone is capable of playing college hockey whether it be NCAA or ACHA period.

People should just focus on playing the sport that they love as long as they can and if they can get an education while doing it it's even better.

So today we are here to tell you that at the end of the day EVERYONE ends up in the NHL one day its the Neighborhood Hockey League. Keep that mindset enjoy the Sport we will because we TELL IT LIKE IT IS

JANUARY 27, 2023

 TENDERS

What is a TENDER? You can get 3 pack 6 12 30 pack? Get them at BK? KFC ? MICKEY DS? Well yes to all of that but not what it means I junior hockey.

So Depending on what league it has more importance but there are PROS and CONS .

So in general a TENDER is not a guarantee to make the team the following season. It gets you through to Main CAMP sometimes training camp but not a guaranteed roster spot. So pros can save you alot of money with tryout camps etc but you are that teams property until you get cut in Main Camp if it's NAHL. Any other league you are their property unless released. This also means you can not tryout for anyone else in that league. It does not prohibit you to tryout in another league however.

So depending on the league and the team a tender might be worse than 1 at BKS To find out if you have a legit tender or a fast food option is better email tophockeyprospect@gmail.com and we will TELL IT LIKE IT IS 

JANUARY 20, 2023

 Over the last few weeks we have seen Academies play, Prep play and straight u 16 u 18 AAA programs.

We have seen some very talented players as well as not so talented players. We also have seen some good coaches and some bad coaches.

Only common denomination of all these programs is one thing it COST ALOT OF MONEY!

So here is a tip spend some money on an advisor so you don't Spend alot of money on bad coaches and players. Contact us tophockeyprospect@gmail.com and we will TELL IT LIKE IT IS 

JANUARY 13, 2023

 TODAYS TOPIC COACHING

This week one of our newest clients we did a film review of his play from a recent game. We went over his game play and just had a conversation about the game. He was a sponge which I personally love and honestly felt that in 30 minutes he actually learned alot not only about himself but the game.

If I can teach basic things over a phone call that he didn't know how can a coach who is with him 6 days a week several hours a day not gone over a basic concept. These players and parents are spending alot of time and money. Either it's time to do a better process to pick more qualified coaches or other countries will continue to surpass us in International competition 

JANUARY 6, 2023

 The more and more I see in Junior Hockey the actions of GMS and Owners any player who doesn't have any representation is making a HUGE mistake. You are putting at risk any future in the sport you love and have played to try to achieve goals and dream.

Whether it's knowing your players rights, finding a team, getting a refund finding a new team, get a release or trade. Trust me when I tell you we have heard some SHADY things. Couple of recent actions trying to trade a player not on your roster or not releasing a player until after January 1st so you don't have to give a refund. SEEK help don't do this by yourself your future is at state. Email us NOW tophockeyprospect@gmail.com