Starting tomorrow, the best 80 young female hockey players in the province will be in Toronto, participating in a high-intensity & high-pressure selection camp for the Ontario Under-18 team.

By the end of the week, those numbers will be cut in half. Only 40 players will make it to the next camp.

Every player is looking to impress the coaches and scouts with their on-ice playing abilities and their off-ice fitness testing.

But how are they going to stand out and separate themselves from the crowd?

By showcasing their strengths.

The problem that most young players run into at these high-performance camps is that they get so wrapped up in worrying about their weaknesses and comparing themselves to others, that they forget to showcase their strengths.

A natural goal-scorer must fill the net at camp. A great two-way centre must be the best back-checker on the ice. A solid stay-at-home defenseman has to make great breakout passes all week.

The truth is that if you have a glaring weakness, the evaluators are going to find it. You can’t hide a weak wrist shot or poor passing skills for long.

But even the best players in the world have weaknesses.

Not everyone is a natural goal scorer, a solid two-way player or great at controlling the breakout.

Instead of comparing yourself to everyone else on the ice on every skill imaginable, focus on what you do best - and do it the best to of your ability.

Make the coaches and scouts remember you for your strengths and not for your short-comings.

Good luck!

Kim