The waning months of school for a high school senior are always filled with trepidation, excitement and most of all uncertainty.

It’s the case for Albert Lea High School senior Jordan Prescher-Smerud, who is trying to extend his hockey playing career.

Beginning Thursday Prescher-Smerud is taking part in the Prospects Tournament in Toronto which runs through Sunday. The tournament touts itself as North America’s No. 1 prospect tournament. There will be scouts from Canadian Junior hockey leagues, the United States Junior Hockey League, the North America Hockey League and several college scouts.

Scores of current NHL players have played in the Prospects Tournament, including San Jose’s Joe Thorton and Wild defenseman Kurtis Foster, since it began in 1995.

He’ll play on an all-Minnesota team of 20 players and got involved with the team through Albert Lea Thunder head coach Brad Zangs, who has coached a team at the tournament since 2000. Last season the Minnesota team finished fifth out of the 44-team field.

“It’s well scouted,” Zangs said. “If you get up there it’s a great opportunity.”

Zangs said the tournament averages 220 scouts from various Junior leagues and Division I programs.

Forty-four teams will participate in the tournament and Prescher-Smerud will play two games on Friday and two games on Saturday in Toronto.

The tournament comes right before the USHL draft, which is May 13, and the NAHL draft, which is May 20.

Prescher-Smerud, who finished tied for the lead in scoring for the Tigers last season with 53 points, knows the pressure is on and he sees the tournament as his last big chance.

“I’m lucky to be in this prospect tournament,” Prescher-Smerud said. “It’s up to me. I don’t want to let this opportunity to pass by.”

He and high school teammate Tyler Prihoda attended a predraft camp at North Iowa last weekend and Prescher-Smerud has been invited to NAHL camps for the Wenatchee Wild, a franchise in Washington that just finished runners-up for the league championship, and the Springfield Jr. Blues.

“It’s kind of scary not knowing if we’ll make a team even,” Prescher-Smerud said. “You gotta play your best right now.”

The push to find a roster spot has required a bit of marketing, too, from Prescher-Smerud, who said he has e-mailed a number of coaches recently to build some name recognition.

“We’ll see what Toronto will bring me, hopefully it will bring me a lot,” he said. “The main goal is I want to get a D-I scholarship anywhere.”