The NHL Scouting Combine serves as the definitive evaluation ground for the next generation of professional hockey players. Held in Buffalo, the event provides all NHL teams a standardized environment to assess top prospects through a rigorous gauntlet of physical, physiological, and agility testing before they enter the NHL Draft.
How NHL Teams Evaluate Prospect Fitness
To identify future talent, NHL Central Scouting utilizes a battery of standardized tests that measure everything from raw power to cardiovascular efficiency. According to NHL Central Scouting, these metrics allow teams to objectively compare prospects on a level playing field.
Key evaluations include:
- Aerobic Fitness: Measured by analyzing expired air to determine the maximum amount of oxygen a prospect can utilize during exercise.
- Grip Strength: A dynamometer test conducted on both hands to assess manual force.
- Wingspan: A measurement of physical reach, calculated from fingertip to fingertip.
- Jump Station: Utilizing the AccuPower Dual Force Plate System, teams capture 3D force vectors and high-speed video to analyze movement efficiency and injury potential.
Assessing Power and Agility in Modern Prospects
Beyond static measurements, the combine focuses on functional movement and power output. The bench press test, for instance, requires athletes to lift 50 percent of their body weight at maximum velocity. A specialized device measures the bar’s speed, providing scouts with data on a prospect’s power-to-weight ratio.
Agility and speed are tested via the Pro Agility Test. This 5-10-5 yard shuttle drill evaluates how quickly a player can change direction and maintain body control. Additionally, athletes perform consecutive pull-ups to demonstrate upper-body endurance, while the Wingate Cycle Ergometer Test pushes players to their limits to record peak power output in watts per kilogram.
Why Standardized Testing Matters for Draft Strategy
Individual meetings between prospects and all 32 NHL teams are as vital as the physical drills. While the data—provided by NHL Central Scouting and illustrated by Erika Vanderveer—quantifies physical potential, the interviews provide insight into a player’s character and hockey IQ.
By comparing force plate data against historical baselines, teams can predict how a prospect might adapt to the speed of the professional game. This data-driven approach minimizes guesswork, ensuring that organizations invest draft capital in athletes who possess both the physical tools and the mechanical efficiency required for the modern NHL.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the AccuPower Dual Force Plate System?
It measures the direction, strength, and timing of 3D forces produced during hockey-related movements to assess performance and injury risk.
How is aerobic fitness measured at the combine?
It is assessed by measuring the volume of oxygen utilized during maximal exercise through the analysis of expired air.
What does the 5-10-5 yard shuttle test measure?
It evaluates multi-directional speed, agility, whole-body reaction, and movement control.
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