Phil Myre on Scouting, the NHL Draft and Technology’s Role

This week, Sean Tierney had the opportunity to exchange emails with Phil Myre, Head U.S. Scout and Product Development Coordinator for ISS Hockey. Myre answered questions ranging from the role of technology in scouting and U.S. difference-makers beyond the first round in the NHL draft.

Former #Habs 1st rounder RT @justinbbradford: Former NHLer Phil Myre is working with the goalies. #ISScombine #Habs pic.twitter.com/05OiIfZ3Zg — All Habs (Canadiens) (@All_Habs) June 21, 2014

Sean Tierney: You enjoyed a 15 year long professional career and a total of eight years as an assistant or goalie coach at a variety of levels. Now, you’re heavily involved in scouting. How do you feel your experience as a player and coach has served you in your current work as a talent evaluator?

Phil Myre: Many years of experience as a player and coach help to better analyze skill levels and performance, but more importantly, helps in recognizing intangibles like body language, work ethic, focus and ability to play within a system. Experience also helps in player projection because you know what it takes to play in the NHL. There aren’t many situations experienced by players that I didn’t already experience myself.

42 yrs ago, the Atlanta #Flames selected goalie Phil Myre with the 1st pick in the expansion draft. pic.twitter.com/IlSYrK1znw — O-Pee-Chee Stars (@opeecheestars) June 6, 2014

ST: You’ve written of your long-standing interest in hockey statistics and the use of technology in evaluating the game. Why does hockey technology appeal to you?

PM: Technology is a valuable tool which can be used to add, support or deny an objective opinion. It can be used in many different areas of the game other than scouting. (coaching, player development etc.)

**for more on Myre’s view on the role of technology in hockey, please check out his article here.

ST: You currently work as the U.S. Head Scout for the International Scouting Service (ISS). You’re also the Product Development Coordinator for Hockey Tech, a company that provides hockey data and statistics. How do these two roles fit together for you?

PM: As the U.S. Head Scout, I have a variety of responsibilities scouting many levels of hockey from Bantam to Pro. I’m also responsible for monitoring the coverage and the growth of our scouts.

I’m also involved in the development of Hockey Tech which includes companies like RinkNet – LeagueStat – FASTHockey – HockeyTech Analytics – HockeyTech Testing.

HockeyTech is a worldwide leader in providing hockey-related technologies, analytics and information.

The two roles complement each other because of my extensive network, experience and knowledge of the sport which I can relate to our potential clients or subscribers.

Players are leaving the #ISSCombine with their #HTI @HockeyTech #Develop #Exposure pic.twitter.com/xYczp9qrfC — ISS Hockey (@ISShockey) June 7, 2015

ST: How does the ISS ranking system differ from other notable prospect rankings like the NHL’s Central Scouting or McKeen’s?

PM: First of all, we don’t compare our rankings or our services with any other agencies or services. ISS rankings are the results of many reports made by over 50 scouts across North America and Europe. Reports and ratings from all of our scouts produce a computerized ranking which is then reviewed, edited and re-ranked by our senior staff based on objective knowledge of each player and their NHL projection.

**Click here for the June update of the ISS top 30 NHL Draft prospects.

ST: Beyond the first round in this year’s NHL Draft, which U.S. prospects do you see as future difference makers at the NHL level?

PM: ROSLOVIC, Jack, NTDP

Canadiens 2015 Draft Targets: Jack Roslovic http://t.co/ANBqklfMLE pic.twitter.com/OkNnWB4cny — Montréal Canadiens (@CanadiensNHLFan) June 10, 2015

CECCONI, Joseph, Muskegon

Joseph Cecconi, Youngstown native, excited to return home for All-American Prospects Game. http://t.co/xpQ9A9Zrwr pic.twitter.com/2F1elDqLDE — Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) September 17, 2014

BOESER, Brock, Waterloo

Brock Boeser has a "power forward mentality." @SabresProspects' #22 http://t.co/gyeCO26ECx (@USHL) #SabresDraft2015 pic.twitter.com/yaXiLoqsAg — Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) June 10, 2015

BACHMAN, Karch, Culver Military Academy

Karch Bachman, '15, to skate at the @NHL Combine this week in Buffalo, New York. http://t.co/h496FIrEFk pic.twitter.com/DWgktPJTVL — Culver Academies (@CulverAcademies) June 5, 2015

ST: Is there any chance you would consider a coaching or front office role with an NHL club again in the future?

PM: I’m very happy with what I’m doing right now and I’m not actively seeking NHL work. However, the NHL is the optimum place to work in Hockey and I’ve learned not to close any doors completely. The right situation and the right work environment might convince me to go back.

In less than a decade, hockey analytics have swept across the NHL. Now, websites like War-on-Ice, Puckalytics, Hockey Prospectus, and Own The Puck provide hockey fans with extremely specific details that help fans to better understand the game and its players.

However, analytics are hardly confined to the blogosphere. The NHL is now filled with hockey analytics experts working for its teams in management.

The same search for player data has taken hold in scouting. With companies like ISS making use of technology in their scouting combines, player scouting reports and draft rankings are now more accurate and detailed than ever before.

How teams put this information to use will be on full display at the NHL draft later this month.

What do you think, hockey fans? Is the shift to analytics in scouting likely to help teams make better draft choices? Or do you feel that the role of the “eye test” is losing too much value too quickly?