Before You Pay

Worth it, or a hockey money grab?

Start with five basics, then add deadline pressure and written proof for a more responsible first read. Hidden costs remain optional.

Shared from a hockey parent group?

This is a free gut-check for camps, showcases, spring teams, advisors, tournaments, prep/junior options, and training spends. It does not rank players or promise recruiting outcomes. It helps parents slow down, estimate the real cost, spot red flags, and ask better questions before paying. If you are considering an advisor or agent-style service, start with the Hockey Advisor Check.

Fast first read

Start with five basics.

Spend type, advertised cost, age/stage, current level, and invite source are the five basics. Add the deadline pressure and proof you actually have; optional hidden costs improve the estimate.

Example: “$695 showcase invite from a broad email list for a 14U travel player.” ProspectPath helps flag whether the cost, invite source, proof, and fit deserve more questions before paying.

1. What are you being asked to pay for?
Add exact advertised cost optional

Use ranges if you only know the category. Exact numbers override ranges.

2. Player and invite context

This powers the Before You Pay signal. Keep it rough — the goal is to catch mass-invite and bad-fit risk before the deposit.

What has the organizer actually confirmed? Select all that apply.

Improve accuracy with hidden costs optional
3. Likely add-ons that change the real cost

Use the range if you only know the category. Add an exact dollar amount in the same row if you have it — exact amounts override ranges.

Not checking a paid opportunity today?

ProspectPath has other free tools for hockey parents.

Use pathway fit, workout planning, gear prep, and parent guides when there is not a deposit decision yet.

Pathway Check Workout Plan Gear Checklist Parent Guides