The biggest reason for the SJHL to stage its annual showcase event is for scouts from the NHL, NCAA, CIS and WHL to come and get a glimpse of all of their players in the same place.
A pair of NHL scouts who made the trek said it was worth their while to come check out some players who might not be drafted, but could be free agent signings a few years from now.
"In the sense of looking for pro players, I think a lot of these players are going to be a little bit longer-term in terms of their development," said Roy Stasiuk, a Western Canada scout for the Toronto Maple Leafs who attended his third straight SJHL Showcase.
"We're hoping some of them will get NCAA scholarships and then we can continue to monitor them."
Colorado Avalanche scout Don Paarup, also a veteran of the SJHL event, said it's a case of heated competition for players amongst the 30 NHL teams.
"You don't want to sit at the draft table and all of a sudden a name pops up, and everybody looks at you and says, 'You didn't have the time to go in and see this kid?'"
Paarup said current Avalanche forward T.J. Galiardi is an example of a player he scouted while playing in the AJHL and eventually Colorado drafted him.
Stasiuk said the main things he looks for in a player at this level are skating, compete level and hockey sense, adding that being able to think the game is more important than size in today's NHL.
Whereas NCAA scouts will often talk to players after games, Paarup said NHL scouts might talk to the coach, but they normally wait until the off-season to speak to a player so as to avoid being a distraction.
Both scouts suggested the SJHL is doing a reasonable job of attracting scouts and securing opportunities for their players, considering the obstacles of drawing from a smaller population and having colder temperatures than the BCHL.
"I hate to say it, but I think there are times when the NCAA recruiters head to B.C. because it's warmer weather and the buildings are nice and those players get viewed a little more," said Stasiuk. "I think the SJHL's doing what it needs to do in order to, number one, attract and retain talent, and then attract scouts and recruiters from the NCAA."
Paarup believes it's largely a case of population and that holding a showcase event helps to level the playing field.
"I think maybe it's a mindset. 'I'm going to B.C. junior, I'm going to get looked at a bit more.' But that might be a bit of a fallacy now. That's one thing the showcase does. You have all of the colleges come in here and it gives the kids an opportunity to showcase what they can do."
Upwards of 30 scouts were in attendance on the weekend, including representation from the Leafs, Avalanche, Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, Vancouver Canucks, Ottawa Senators, Los Angeles Kings, Tampa Bay Lightning, Washington Capitals and Minnesota Wild.
More than a dozen Bruins attracted attention from scouts at various levels throughout the weekend.
