OPPORTUNITIES IN HOCKEY
PRESENTED BY:
USA Hockey Player Development Committee
2006
OPPORTUNITIES IN HOCKEY 2006
The purpose of this presentation
is to provide information regarding various options available to the hockey player
that wants to compete at the highest level.
For eligibility purposes, the NCAA expects the student-athlete to
graduate from high school when they are 18 years of age. The expected graduation date is
the NCAA eligibility bench mark.
When it comes to choosing options
for their hockey future, there are many players (and parents) who are seeking
answers to very important questions.
Answers can be found if you know where to look. The challenge is to be realistic about
your hockey abilities and pro-active
when planning your hockey future. As your skills develop to the higher levels,
you should begin to think about your options.
USA Hockey believes parents and players should begin investigating
hockey opportunities when the player is 12 to 14 years old. This is not the forum to debate when a
player’s hockey potential can be evaluated or predicted. Although there may be
optimism concerning potential when players are 12 and under, their potential
cannot be realistically evaluated until they reach the age of maturity. All have dreams and expectations - but
players and their parents need to make informed and realistic decisions. We all realize that players mature and
develop at different rates.
SOME TYPICAL QUESTIONS:
What are my hockey opportunities after I turn 14?
How important are academics?
How do I determine what is best for me?
What are some determining factors?
What are my chances?
How can I find out where I fit?
How and where do I get noticed?
What role does my coach play?
Should I actively pursue opportunities or should I wait until
opportunity knocks?
PLAYER REGISTRATION NUMBERS (2004-2005):
Total USA Players: Female 40,301 (19 and under)
Male
328,970 (20 and under)
Adult M/F 75,974 (20 years and
older)
Total 445,245
Note: there are + 300 Canadians in
USA Youth Programs
+ 238 other IIHF citizens in US
Youth Programs
Note: USA has approximately 2,000 indoor
rinks and about 400 outdoor rinks
Age Classification: Midget/High School
Male 64,832
(18 and under)
Female 6,940
(19 and under)
Juniors (20 and under)
Male 7,592 (7,199 are USA
citizens and 393 Non-citizens)
Female 886
Adults (20 years and older)
Male 65,000
Female 10,974
2004-05 Hockey Canada player registration:
Female 65,951
Male
477,989
Total 543,940
Note: There are + 240 US citizens
playing youth hockey in Canada
Note: Canada has approximately 3,000
indoor rinks and 11,000 outdoor rinks
2004 International Ice Hockey Federation IIHF – other than USA & Canada
Female 16,682 (19 and under)
Male 295,078
(20 and under)
Adult 159,644 (over 20)
Total 471,404
Note: There are + 224 US citizens
playing in IIHF Countries (exclude Canada)
Note: IIHF Countries have
approximately 1,730 indoor rinks and 600 outdoor rinks
IT IS A NUMBERS GAME:
Academic preparation:
The better the student athlete, the more options are available.
Teams/schools often equate academic performance to discipline,
commitment and effort.
Teams/schools will not recruit players that cannot compete
academically.
It is not over until it is over.
Evaluate options and make informed choices:
Advancing your hockey career is a numbers game.
Put yourself in the “game” and keep yourself there.
Make choices that will better prepare you for the future – help
reach your ultimate goal(s)
Realistic self-evaluation vs. the “parent factor”.
Separate the player from the person – you can be a great person
and an average player
Consider the source & motivation of those advising you
Can youth tier 1, private prep school, post graduate high school
and/or junior hockey be options?
Academic rehabilitation - reinforcement – improvement:
Enroll in prep school for junior and senior years (repeat if
necessary)
Take college level courses
Post graduate - transcript improvement
Tutors
Academic maturity – some develop later than others
Develop and improve hockey skills - play at a higher level:
Game driven programs vs. skill development driven programs
Select programs with a history of advancing players
Select programs that train the complete athlete
Prepare the complete athlete:
Academic strength
Hockey skill development
Strength and conditioning
Nutrition
Mental toughness
Discipline
TIER 1 BANTAM AND MIDGET HOCKEY: (+
135,000 U.S. PLAYERS)
Pay to play – National Recruiting
Investigate – play for programs that have a history of moving
players to the next level
Variety – check track record and coach’s credentials
Make sure you are not just playing for the Tier 1 label –
credibility
PREP SCHOOL HOCKEY:
Choosing the right prep school for you
Location -
most are in the East (New England + 56) – 85%
Boys’ schools + 75
Girls’ schools + 56
Post graduate programs + 48
Criteria for selecting a school:
Academic admission criteria - curriculum
Costs - annual tuition alone can run $25,000 - $35,000
Level of hockey - number of teams - schedule
Player alumni - track record of success
Geography - culture
School visit is essential
“Broken leg” rule – plan for life outside of athletics
Prep schools are a high priority for college recruiters (ECAC/Hockey East/Ivy/CHL)
90% of Prep School players are college bound
Approximately 8,500 players in US Prep Schools
Sources of information:
High School guidance counselors/teachers
“Prep School Hockey Guide” by Thomas Keegan
Canadian boarding schools www.dundum.com
THE DOMESTIC JUNIOR HOCKEY OPTION:
The USA Junior hockey program is
available to citizen athletes who are 20 years old and under as of December 31st of
the current season of competition. Currently domestic junior hockey is divided
into tier 1 and 2. In June 2006 it is expected that the junior program will
reorganize into tier 1, tier 2 and tier 3 programs. The following information
anticipates this reorganization. The principal purpose of the domestic junior
development program is to prepare the athlete for career advancement into
collegiate hockey. US junior hockey is administered by USA Hockey - Daniel Esdale,
USA Hockey Vice President, Junior Council Chair
Goals of USA Hockey’s Domestic Junior Programs:
Skill development
Provide quality professional
coaching
Educational advancement of
athlete
Recruiting exposure – college
Advanced levels of domestic and
international competition
Protect amateur status –
NCAA
It is a numbers game:
Generally the player between the
ages of 16 and 20 is considered eligible for junior hockey. There are approximately 65,000 U.S. male
players in that age group. There are approximately 75,000 Canadian Players in
this age group. A total of 7,592
players are currently registered in U.S. domestic
junior hockey programs.
+ 255 in Tier 1 Junior A - USHL
+ 525 in Tier 2 Junior A - NAHL
+ 1,875 in Tier 3 Junior A – (EJHL, CSHL, NORPAC, MJHL, WSHL &
AJHL)
+ 850 in Tier 3 Junior B - estimated
+ 1,100 in Tier 3 Junior C - estimated
+ 3,237 Independent Junior - other
115 Canadians in USA Junior
Hockey
383 USA Citizens into Canadian
Junior Hockey
65 IIHF Federation players in USA
Junior Hockey
134 USA Citizens into IIHF Junior
Hockey
+ 7,412 domestic junior Players are US citizens
1 out of 8.75 eligible players
(16 to 20 yrs) are playing domestic junior hockey (11.4%)
1 out of 250 eligible players are
playing tier 1 (0.4 %)
1 out of 125 eligible players are
playing tier 2 (0.8 %)
1 out of 100 eligible players are
playing tier 3 Junior A (2.5 %)
1 out of 35 eligible players are
playing tier 3 Junior B (1.5 %)
1 out of 20 eligible players are playing
tier 3 Junior C (5.0 %)
Differences in Junior Classifications:
All U.S. domestic junior programs protect the amateur status of the
players. However, there are specific criteria differences between tier 1, tier
2 and tier 3 programs as well as differences between A, B, and C programs. USA Hockey has established specific criteria
for Tier 1 and Tier 2 domestic programs.
Tier 3 criteria have been established and will be put into place
following the 2006 USA Hockey Annual Congress.
These criteria are monitored and enforced by the USA Hockey Junior
Council. Refer to the USA Hockey Annual Guide.
As mentioned earlier, there will be revisions to the classifications
following the 2006 USA Hockey Annual Congress.
The specifics will be posted on the USA Hockey web page – www.usahockey.com/juniors. To verify the
classification of a league or team, contact John Cowley, USA Hockey Junior
Registrar at
Junior Programs differ:
Operating budgets
Organization criteria
Equipment provisions
Rink size
Off ice and on ice official minimums
Number of games
Number of practices
Player fees – only tier 3 programs can charge a player fee
Certified USA Domestic Junior Hockey Leagues:
Tier 1 Juniors - + 255 players
United States Hockey League (USHL) - 11 teams in IL, IA, WI, NE,
SD, MO
Gino Gasparini, President www.ushl.com
Tier 2 Juniors - + 525 players
North America Hockey League (NAHL) - 21 teams in AK, IL, MT, ND, NM, TX, OH, MN,
MO, MI Michael Santos, Commissioner www.nahl.com
Tier 3 Junior A +
1,875 players
Atlantic Junior Hockey League (AJHL) – 11 teams in CT, NJ, NY, MD
Glenn Hefferan, President www.AJHLHockey.org
Eastern Junior Hockey League (EJHL) - 14 teams in MA, VT, NH, NY,
RI
Dan Esdale, President www.easternjunior.com
Central State Hockey League (CSHL) - 13 teams in IL, OH, MI, MO
Frank Ferrara, President www.cshlhockey.net
Minnesota Junior Hockey League (MJHL) - 7 teams MN, IA and WI
Ken Gaber, President www.mnjhl.com
Northern Pacific Junior Hockey League (NORPAC) - 11 teams in MT,
ID, WA, OR
Jack Tragis, Commissioner www.norpachockey.com
Western States Hockey League (WSHL) - 12 teams in CA, NV, AZ, UT
Ron White, Commissioner www.wshl.org
Non-USA Hockey
Sanctioned - Junior A + 140 players
America East Hockey League (AEHL) – 6 teams in PA, NJ, OH, NY, DE
Ron Brousseau, Commissioner www.americaeasthockey.com
Tier 2 Junior B - +
850 players
Empire Junior B Hockey League (EJBHL) - 20 teams in NY, CT, PA,
MA, NJ, VT, NH, VA
Don Kirnan, President www.empirehockey.com
Metropolitian
Junior Hockey League (METJHL) - 14 teams in PA, NJ, NY, MD
Glenn Hefferan, President www.metleague.org
Tier 3 Junior C –
1,100 players USA Hockey registered
Continental Hockey Association (CHA) - 23 teams in PA, NJ, NY, MA,
MI
Andrew “Sarge” Richards, President www.jrhockey.net
New England Junior Developmental League (NEJDL) – 7 teams MA, CT
and NH
Graham Gal, League Contact
Southeastern Junior Hockey League (SEJHL) – 4 teams FL
Rick Ninko, President
3,237 Independent Junior C – 8 registered teams (see 2006 Junior
Hockey Directory)
How can a 16 to 20 year old get a junior hockey opportunity?
Talk to your midget or high
school coach
Participate in showcase events
specific to the 16 to 19 year old player
District player
Development/Evaluation Camps
National Camps and Festivals
Minnesota Elite High School
Tournament
Chicago Showcase
District high school tournaments
Global Prospect Camps
Prospects Camps
Attend junior tryout camps –
investigate – commercial camp vs. opportunity camp
Hockey Night in Boston
Before attending commercial camps, get an
actual staff list and information on attending scouts.
CANADIAN MAJOR JUNIOR HOCKEY:
There are Tier 1 and Tier 2
Junior programs in Canada. Whereas the US programs are predominately for the
athlete seeking to move into NCAA college hockey, the Canadian Major (Tier 1) Junior program is typically for the non-college bound
player, perhaps seeking a professional opportunity. The players that
participate in Major Junior Programs will lose their amateur status impacting
NCAA eligibility. NCAA classifies Canadian Major Junior programs as
professional.
NCAA Amateurism Rules impacting
the Ice Hockey Student Athlete – summarized below:
1. If a player signs a playing
contract or signs with an agent he will loose NCAA eligibility forever.
2. If a player participates on a
Major Junior A Team after expected high school graduation date he will loose
NCAA eligibility forever.
3. If a player participates on a
Major Junior A Team prior to expected high school graduation date he will loose
one year of NCAA eligibility plus one game for every Major Junior A game
(including exhibitions) played.
4. If a player attends a Major
Junior A try out camp and plays in games at the camp he will lose one year of
NCAA eligibility plus one game for every game played in camp.
Note: If a player pays his own
expenses to a Major Junior A camp he can only practice for 48 hours before NCAA
eligibility is impacted.
The issues of eligibility for the
student athlete are very important. The NCAA website (www.ncaa.org) has good information under the rules and eligibility section.
You can also link to the NCAA Guide for the College Bound Student-Athlete which
has general information regarding recruiting and amateurism.
Canadian Major Junior Hockey Leagues:
Ontario Hockey League - 20 teams www.ontariohockeyleague.com
Dave Branch, Commissioner
Quebec Major Junior Hockey League - 18 teams www.lhjmq.qc.ca
Gilles Courteau, Commissioner
Western Hockey League 19 teams www.whl.ca
Ron Robinson, Commissioner
Canadian Tier 2 Junior A Hockey Leagues has
approximately 15,000 players – these programs are recognized as amateur by the NCAA.
Marty Knack, President www.cjahl.com
Alberta Junior Hockey
British Columbia Junior A
Central Junior A Hockey
Manitoba Junior A Hockey
Maritime Junior A Hockey
Northern Ontario Junior A Hockey
Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey
Quebec Junior AAA Hockey
Saskatchewan Junior A Hockey
Superior International Junior Hockey
PRIMARY FACTORS WHEN SELECTING A JUNIOR
PROGRAM:
Academic Impact – NCAA eligibility
Reputation – Skill Level - History
Location
Cost
SELECTING THE RIGHT JUNIOR PROGRAM:
Talk with former junior players
Meet with junior coach - where will you fit in?
Visit the location – if possible, practice with the team
How many players has the organization moved on to college?
Evaluate the local schools
Age of players on junior roster
Geographic considerations
Discuss with your parents – be realistic
You are in control - do not get oversold!
Sources of information:
USA Hockey Annual Guide – www.usahockey.com
COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY HOCKEY OPTIONS:
This is a terrific option and the
goal of most players. It is perhaps the single most important decision a player
and his family will make - yet we spend very little time exploring and researching
what may be the best fit. There is a school with a hockey program out there for
you - you just need to find it. As we have stated many times, the guiding
principle to all your decisions should be academics. You also need to be
realistic about your skills. NCAA college players are between the ages of 18
and 26 years old.
Three major considerations when
choosing a college:
Academics - acceptable SAT scores prior to 2005 ranged from 900 to 1400 +. These ranges will
change as a third component (essay) has been added to the 2006 SAT. You will
need to check with local guidance counselors for revised acceptance ranges. The
new average SAT is expected to be 1500. (www.collegeboard.com ) ACT ranges are currently 18 to 30+.
NCAA Clearinghouse reviews all applicants: www.ncaa.org/eligibility/cbsa/clearinghouse.html
You must register and be certified by NCAA Initial Eligibility
Clearinghouse
The stronger you are academically the more options you have as a
player.
When applying to schools, you should narrow your choices to six:
Two (2) that are long shot
Two (2) where you have a good chance
Two (2) where you are certain to be admitted
Hockey - play or rostered spectator?
Social life - average age of
college freshman is 20 years old; small school vs. large school
Information to help you decide where you can play in US:
Division 1 - 88 programs (30 women, 58 men) www.ncaa.org
Division 2 - 7 programs (7 men) www.ncaa.org
Division 3 - 112 programs (44 women, 68 men) www.ncaa.org
NJCAA - 10 programs www.njcaa.org
Making an informed decision - A touch of realism:
There are approximately 3,579 male players (19 to 27 years old) in
NCAA Varsity Hockey programs (1.1%)
There are approximately 1,586 males in Division 1 Hockey
programs
Approximately 1,006 are U.S. citizens (63.4%)
There are approximately 686 females in Division 1 Hockey
programs
Approximately 409 females are US citizens (59.6%)
There are approximately 777 Division 1 full scholarships
(0.24%) – estimate 190 +/- new scholarships each year
Not all Division 1 schools offer scholarships - Ivy League
NCAA allows maximum of 18
scholarships per team. Not all teams are funded to maximum. Many schools have less than the 18 full
scholarships allowed. There can be 7-9 “walk on” players per team. ± 190 male scholarships available
each year. U.S. born players receive
approximately 45% (85). + 1/500
(0.20%) eligible US players get scholarships.
To play Division 1 in a given year, are you one of the top 300 male players in the
country?
Opportunities in Women’s college hockey are expanding rapidly:
1995-1996: 11 Women Division 1 Programs
2005-2006: 30 Women Division 1 Programs
NCAA players – Where do they come from?
75% of US players
on current Division 1 rosters have played in junior programs; 68% of
Division 3 participants played in junior programs.
States represented on Division 1 rosters: MN (13%)), MA (9.4%), MI (9.0%),
NY (6.4.1%),
IL (2.9%), Rocky Mountain States – CO, TX, AZ, ID, UT & NM (2.8%)
Statistics by Division 1 league:
WCHA rosters - US players + 65.0 %; Canadian players +
33.0%
CCHA rosters - US players + 63.4%; Canadian players +
32%
Hockey East rosters - US players + 66%; Canadian players +
30%
ECAC rosters - expect it is similar to Hockey East – perhaps more
Canadians
CSCHL rosters – no information
Ivy rosters – no information
CHL rosters – no information
NON-VARSITY/JUNIOR COLLEGE/CLUB NCAA COLLEGE
HOCKEY:
It is not the end of your hockey
career if you do not play Division 1 college hockey. There are numerous
opportunities to play competitive college hockey in Division 1, 2 & 3 Club,
Junior College and Non-Varsity programs.
American Collegiate Hockey Association
32 Women’s Programs
40 Men’s Division 1
124 Men’s Division 2
132 Men’s Division 3
World University Games – USA Hockey
Sources of information: www.ncaa.org
“College Hockey Guide Book” by Thomas Keegan
NCAA - Guide for the College Bound Student Athlete
ADULT AND SENIOR PROGRAMS:
There are adult and senior
programs all over the country. One can continue playing well into their 60s or
70s. There are men’s programs as well as
women’s and coed programs. Contact the USA Hockey representative in your area.
Some adult programs are administered by the rinks – contact rink management for
information.
Levels of play: Senior A - National
Championship
Senior A Elite
Checking
Non-checking
Co-ed
Adult National Championship
Sources of information: USA Hockey Annual Guide
John Beadle USA Hockey Vice President Adult Council Chairman
719-339-6263
PROFESSIONAL HOCKEY:
We cannot talk about options without
mentioning professional hockey. The National Hockey League is for the truly
elite players (0.1%) but there are other professional options outside the NHL.
National Hockey League - NHL -
30 teams www.nhl.com
Prior to 2004-2005 “Lock Out”
American Hockey League - AHL -
28 teams (primary feeder system to NHL) www.theahl.com
East Coast Hockey League - ECHL
"AA" – 32 - teams (secondary affiliate) www.echl.com
Minor leagues independent of the NHL:
United Hockey League "AA"- 11 teams in Great Lakes area www.theuhl.com
Central Hockey League "AA"– 17 teams Texas www.centralhockeyleague.com
Southern Professional Hockey League "A" – 7 teams in
Southeast www.thesphl.com
Mid-Atlantic Hockey League "A" – 5 teams in OH, PA, and
NY www.mahlhockey.com
NHL general information: + 125 US citizens out of 690 total
players in the NHL -
Approximately 4.1% (1/24) of the NHL draft comes directly from
NCAA colleges
61 Americans were drafted in 2005 = 26.5 % of the draft.
NHL in 1970-71 = 14 teams / 325 players: 95.3% Canadian, 2.3%
European and 2.1% US
NHL in 2005-06 = 30 teams / 690 players: 47.5% Canadian, 32.3%
European and 20.0 % US
22 MN + 17.7%
22 MA + 17.7%
18 MI + 14.5% 62.8% from four states
16 NY + 12.9 %
PROGRESSION PATH FOR THE USA MALE PLAYER:
Private Lessons Learn to Skate Programs Cross
Ice Program
Recreation 8 and under Recreation
10 and under
Recreation 12 and over Competitive
14 and under Tier
1 – Tier 2
HS/Recreation 17
and under National
Camps/Festivals/USA NTDP
HS/Recreation 18
and under Scholastic
High School/Prep School
Non
Check
20 and under USA Tier 1, Tier 2 &
Tier 3 Junior A, B, & C
Canadian Junior Tier 2
Canadian Major Junior
USA National U-20 Team
Recreation 20
and over ACHA
Div. 1, 2 & 3 Club
NCAA – Division 1, 2, & 3
Minor Professional
NHL
USA Olympic Team
Recreation Adult Hockey Competitive
A SUMMARY OF THE NUMBERS:
Tier
2 Competitive Youth Team: 1 in 10 (10.0%)
Tier
1 Competitive Youth Team: 1 in 20 (5.0%)
Tier
3 Junior C: 1 in 20 (5.0%)
Tier
3 Junior B: 1 in 35 (3.0%)
Tier
3 Junior A: 1 in 100 (1.0 %)
NCAA
Division 3: 1 in 100 (1.0%)
Tier
2 Junior: 1 in 125 (0.80%)
Tier
1 Junior: 1 in 250 (0.40%)
NCAA
Division 1: 1 in 300 (0.33%)
NCAA
Division 1 with scholarship: 1 in 450 (0.22%)
NHL:
1 in 800 (0.13%)
National
Teams: 1 in 1000 (0.10%)
Note:
USA Males have + 68% of available spots in NCAA
USA Males have + 20% of
available spots in NHL
HOW DO I GET NOTICED?
This is one of the most
frequently asked questions in hockey.
There is no simple answer. You
must come to the realization that there are several alternatives and routes a
hockey player can take in achieving his/her goal. The informed student- athlete has a better
chance of reaching the optimum hockey opportunity. Consider that there are well over 6,500
Midget, Junior and High school teams in North America. Coaches, scouts and recruiters cannot possibly
cover all the teams and leagues. The
NCAA restricts the number of annual contacts a college coach can have with a
player. Prior to your senior year a
college coach cannot initiate contact with you but he can observe or evaluate
you seven (7) times. During your senior
year you can have 3 personal contacts with a coach plus four (4) additional
evaluations. There are certain parts of
the country where college and junior teams find most of their players. If you are not in a geographic “hockey hot
bed” your chances of exposure diminish.
Your current coach can have significant impact on your future
opportunities.
To improve your chances:
RULE OF THUMB FOR THE ELITE ATHLETE:
The “Elite Athlete” has been in his/her sport for a minimum of 7 years
Trains 3 hours per day – 5 days per week – 11 months
per year
There is nothing wrong in
believing in your dream. To make the dream come true you must dedicate yourself
to a work ethic that separates you from the rest.
BE ACADEMICALLY COMPETITIVE – GOOD STUDENT ATHLETES HAVE BETTER
OPPORTUNITIES
PLAY YOUR BEST AT ALL TIMES - YOU NEVER
KNOW WHO IS WATCHING.
CAN YOU PLAY UNDER PRESSURE? TAKE ADVANTAGE OF YOUR OPPORTUNITIES
DO NOT MAKE EXCUSES
NARROW THE GAP BETWEEN YOUR POTENTIAL AND YOUR PERFORMANCE.
GOOD LUCK!
SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
Val Belmonte, V P Athletic Marketing
& Development Quinnipiac University
Al Bloomer, USA Hockey Coach in Chief
Tom Anastos, Commissioner CCHA, NCAA
Director USA Hockey
Jim Johannson, USA Hockey, Sr Director Hockey Operations
Kim Folsom, USA Hockey, Coordinator International Administration
Mark Tabrum, USA Hockey, Coaching
Program Director
Rae Briggle, USA Hockey, Sr. Director,
Member Services
John Cowley, USA Hockey Junior Registrar
Dr. Alan Murdoch, USA Hockey Section Director Non Varsity Programs
Joe Bertagna, Executive Director, AHCA
Thomas Keegan, The College Hockey Guide