By Graham Perkins /

Be it a fleeting daydream or a life-long obsession, it’s a rare minor hockey player who would balk at the chance of turning pro. And that’s why the OneHockey AAA International Tournament is starting to attract so much attention.

Every summer for the past six years, a growing cast of scouts, players, and other hockey folk has flocked to Aston, Pennsylvania (a Philadelphia suburb) for the event. June 24 to 27 is for 1991 and 1997 to 2001 born players, while June 30 to July 3 is for 1992 to 1996 players.

With a $495 entry fee, anyone attending this tournament is serious about hockey and expects results. Independent teams are invited to compete (over 120 are expected), but the goal of the organization is to attract the best prospects from all over the world. So to add incentive, talented individuals can apply to play on a OneHockey team, coached by a former professional and made up of players from across the world grouped into regions.

“We can give them a pro approach to practices and strategy, and share more systems than the everyday coach,” said Bill Huard, a former journeyman NHLer who is looking forward to coaching at the tournament for the second time. Huard coached two teams at last year’s tournament and went to the championships with his crew of 16-year-old boys.

“We share some stories and experiences about how we made it and how we had to face adversity, and the kids seem to really respond. At the end of a week, it seems like we’ve coached them for a year,” he explained. “I had guys from Edmonton, B.C., Alberta, and Ontario, and you just throw them together and go from there.”

Huard is one of more than 20 former professionals coaching at the event. His colleagues include Marty McSorley, Mathew Barnaby, Matthew Schneider, Corey Hirsh, and current NY Islanders assistant coach Daniel Lacroix.
Needless to say, these guys know hockey.

In addition to the professional coaching, the event is a chance for players who want to turn pro to show their stuff against elite competition. With teams from over 10 countries taking part, it’s a one-stop shop for scouts trying to bolster their rankings. After playing in the OneHockey tournament a few years ago, TJ Brennan was picked by the Buffalo Sabres 31st overall in the 2007 NHL Draft. The organization already boasts several other high-profile alumni.

But when dreams of big-money deals start running rampant in your mind, it’s easy to overlook the astronomical odds of ever landing one. The OneHockey tournament guarantees stiff competition and excellent coaching, but an entry-level contract isn’t included in the price of admission. That being said, the next Crosby is out there somewhere, and he might be found this summer in Aston.