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Month: February 2025

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2025 Women's College Hockey Women's Hockey

Why the NEWHA Champion Should Have to Earn Their Spot Through a Play-In Game

This coming weekend all 5 conferences will be playing playoffs games with the conference winners getting automatic bids to the NCAA DI Women’s Ice Hockey Championship. This season will be the second year that the NEWHA conference champion will get an automatic bid to be one of the 11 NCAA playoff teams.  Being part of the women’s hockey playoffs would imply that that the NEWHA winner would be at least the 11th best team in DI women’s hockey – or at least close to it.  But that is not the case.  While the NEWHA conference champion has earned their spot in the playoffs, I am recommending that the lowest ranked conference champion have a play-in game.  Here is the rationale…

This season I have tracked every game the NEWHA conference teams have played against non-conference opponents.  The results aren’t pretty for the NEWHA teams – with the non-conference teams outscoring NEWHA  241-26. 

In fact, the best NEWHA team is not close to being a Top 15 in the polls and is essentially taking the sport of a much better team in the playoffs. So, Given the NEWHA regular season record versus non-conference teams, the Pairwise Rankings and MyHockeyRankings, the NEWHA teams continually rank near the bottom of all NCAA DI teams.   

NCAA Women’s DI Hockey MyHockeyRankings as of 02-26-2025

In MHR, the entire NEWHA conference are the 8 bottom rated teams. 

NCAA Women’s DI Hockey Pairwise Rankings as of 02-24-2025

And in the Pairwise, the best team is Long Island University at #28. But keep in mind the Pairwise weights “wins” heavily, and clear the top NEWHA teams like LIU beat the other NEWHA teams the most and thus boosted their ranking.  Pairwise seems to break down at the bottom of the rankings due to over-valuing bad teams beating each other. Given the data in my season-long analysis, I would use the MHR ranking as a better indicator of how good a team is relative to their peers.

In NCAA men’s basketball, there are play-in games featuring the last four at-large teams and the four lowest-seeded automatic qualifiers. I am recommending something similar, but just a single game. And yes, I am aware of the recent increase in the number of teams. The reason why there are only 11 teams in the current playoff format is to keep it proportional with the number of teams that make the men’s tournament.

Right now, if it very likely that three of the following four Top 15 teams won’t be in the playoffs – Quinnipiac (#9), Clarkson (#10), St Cloud State (#11) and Boston University (#12) unless they win their conference.  It’s a shame so many Top 11 teams won’t be in the playoffs. Having a play-in game would at least give one of these ranked teams a chance.  As a reminder, last year’s NEWHA champion, played the #7 seed Cornell and lost 7-1 in the opening round.

Given all this data, it seems inequitable that one (or all) of these Top 15 teams are not given a chance to compete in the national playoffs, when clearly a much weaker team (even though they won their conference) is being given the opportunity. A play-in game would at least make this more fair.

One last thought. Assuming Long Island University wins the NEWHA playoffs, they performed the best against non-conference opponents recently.  They only lost to Princeton (#15 in polls) 4-2, and vs. Robert Morris University (#38 Pairwise), LIU tied 1-1 and lost 3-1. But the reality is it would be unlikely any NEWHA team could beat any Top 11 team.

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College Hockey Recruiting Women's College Hockey Women's Hockey

What Sets Apart Top DI Women’s Hockey Programs

Women’s college hockey is highly competitive, with NCAA Division I programs leading the charge in developing elite talent. While every D1 program offers athletes the opportunity to compete at the highest collegiate level, certain programs consistently rise above the rest. These top-tier programs distinguish themselves not just through their records, but through the resources, culture, and opportunities they provide.

Here’s a closer look at what sets apart the top D1 women’s hockey programs:

1. Elite Coaching and Development

The best programs are often led by experienced and highly regarded coaching staffs. These coaches bring a wealth of knowledge, including tactical expertise, player development strategies, and the ability to foster team cohesion. They prioritize both individual growth and team success, ensuring that athletes not only perform at their best during college but are also prepared for professional or national team opportunities.

Programs like the University of Wisconsin and the University of Minnesota, for example, consistently produce players who excel in international competitions and professional leagues, thanks to their focus on skill development and game strategy.

2. Winning Culture and Tradition

A strong culture of success is a hallmark of top D1 programs. Teams with a history of winning championships and competing at the Frozen Four attract high-caliber recruits who want to be part of a legacy. This tradition fosters a sense of pride and accountability among players, pushing them to perform at their best.

Schools like Boston College, Clarkson University, and Northeastern University are known for their rich hockey traditions and competitive spirit, which help maintain their status as top programs.

3. State-of-the-Art Facilities

Top programs invest heavily in their facilities to provide athletes with the best resources for success. This includes world-class arenas, strength and conditioning centers, video analysis tools, and recovery amenities. These facilities not only enhance performance but also create an environment where athletes feel valued and supported.

Programs like UConn and Boston University have made significant investments in their hockey facilities, which play a crucial role in attracting top recruits.

4. Strong Academic Support

Top D1 programs recognize that their athletes are students first. They provide robust academic support systems, including tutoring, study spaces, and flexible schedules that accommodate the demands of being a student-athlete. Schools like Harvard University and Cornell University are known for balancing athletic excellence with academic rigor, offering athletes the best of both worlds.

5. National and International Exposure

Programs that regularly compete at the highest level often have players on national team rosters and in international tournaments. This exposure benefits players by providing additional competitive opportunities and raising their profiles among scouts. Programs like the Northeastern University, University of Minnesota Duluth and Ohio State University have strong connections to international hockey, further elevating their status.

6. Recruiting and Alumni Network

A key differentiator for top programs is their ability to recruit top talent from across North America and beyond. These programs have extensive scouting networks and strong relationships with youth and junior hockey organizations. Additionally, their alumni networks often include Olympians and professional players, creating a powerful draw for recruits who aspire to follow in their footsteps.

Final Thoughts

What sets apart top D1 women’s hockey programs is a combination of excellence on and off the ice. From coaching and facilities to culture and academic support, these programs create environments where athletes can thrive. For recruits aiming to play at the highest level, understanding these factors can help guide their decisions and set them on the path to success.

Categories
College Hockey Recruiting Women's College Hockey Women's Hockey

Ivy League Women’s Hockey: Understanding the Academic Index

For aspiring student-athletes, balancing athletics and academics is a critical challenge, especially when it comes to competing at the collegiate level. For those with dreams of playing women’s hockey in the Ivy League, there’s an additional layer to navigate: the Academic Index (AI). This unique tool plays a pivotal role in the recruitment process and determines whether a player can be admitted to an Ivy League institution.

What Is the Academic Index?

The Academic Index is a metric used by Ivy League schools to ensure that recruited athletes meet the rigorous academic standards expected of all students. This formula takes into account three main factors: GPA, standardized test scores (SAT or ACT), and class rank or a similar school-provided statistic (if available). The goal is to quantify an athlete’s academic performance into a single, standardized number that aligns with Ivy League admissions policies.

Though the exact formula may vary slightly between schools, the AI ensures that recruited athletes are not only strong competitors on the ice but also capable of thriving in demanding academic environments.

Why the Academic Index Matters

The Ivy League, unlike many athletic conferences, does not offer athletic scholarships. Instead, student-athletes are admitted based on a combination of athletic and academic achievements. The AI ensures that hockey players fit into the academic culture of the institution while allowing coaches to prioritize recruiting based on athletic ability.

For women’s hockey, this balance is critical. Coaches must build competitive teams without compromising the academic reputation of their programs. A low AI score can make it difficult for a coach to secure a spot for a prospective recruit, even if that athlete is highly skilled.

How Can You Calculate Your Academic Index?

While the exact calculation might vary slightly, a typical Academic Index includes the following components:

  1. GPA: Weighted or unweighted, depending on the school’s reporting method.
  2. Standardized Test Scores: Converted to a percentile rank to normalize across different testing scales.
  3. Class Rank or School Profile Data: For students whose schools don’t provide class rank, the rigor of coursework (like AP or IB classes) may be factored in.

There are online tools and resources that can help athletes estimate their AI. Understanding where you stand early in the recruitment process is essential to aligning your athletic and academic goals.

Tips for Navigating the Academic Index

  1. Start Early: The earlier you understand the AI and its implications, the better prepared you’ll be to meet academic requirements.
  2. Communicate with Coaches: Ivy League coaches can guide you through the AI process and help assess whether you meet the criteria.
  3. Focus on Academics: A strong GPA and high standardized test scores can offset minor weaknesses in other areas.
  4. Leverage Support: Many Ivy League institutions offer test-optional policies or holistic admissions processes—be sure to ask how these might impact your AI.

Conclusion

Playing women’s hockey in the Ivy League offers a unique opportunity to compete at a high level while earning a world-class education. Understanding the Academic Index is an essential step for any prospective recruit. By excelling both on and off the ice, student-athletes can position themselves to achieve their dreams of playing in the Ivy League.

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