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Category: Women’s Hockey

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Women's College Hockey Women's Hockey

No Surprises in NCAA Women’s Hockey Championship Selections, Just a Few Seeding Twists

There weren’t any surprises in the 11 teams announced for the NCAA Women’s Hockey Championship

There weren’t any surprises in the 11 teams announced for the NCAA Women’s Hockey  Championship.

After the five conference winners, the remaining six at-large selection basically as expected based on the next highest ranked teams in the polls. All the teams selected were either from the WCHA (Ohio State, Minnesota & UMD) or the ECAC (Colgate, Clarkson & St. Lawrence).

The only team that maybe could have received an at-large bid was Quinnipiac, but at the end of the day, they didn’t beat Clarkson in the ECAC playoffs, so that removed their opportunity.

The only surprises were the conference upsets and seedings.

Congrats to Boston University and Sacred Heart, winning their championship even though they weren’t the top seed.

As for the seedings, they didn’t go exactly as I expected, but nothing I am really bothered about (unlike  last year when UMD should have had a higher seed and avoided Ohio State  in the second round). It seems the Pairwise ranking was given more weight than the Poll:

  • With Minnesota beating Ohio State in WCHA semi-finals, I thought the Gophers might get the #2 seed
  • I had Penn State as the #8 seed, but they ended up #7
  • I thought St Lawrence would be the #7 seed, but they ended up #10 – it’s possible the committee didn’t want an all-ECAC match-up vs. Clarkson meeting in the first round if SLU was ranked #8 or #9.

Best of luck to all the teams this week. I expect there to be a couple of upsets this weekend.

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Women's Hockey

Champs App Team Roster and Directory

Click here to learn more and set up a full demo

Quick Overview of Champs App

We have hundreds of player profiles and >100 college verified college coach profiles.

The Team Coach Directory allows players to research and connect with any DI, DIII and U Sports hockey coach:

For Players:

  • Create a free hockey profile with academic and athletic details, video highlights, team history, and schedule.
  • Opportunity to connect directly with coaches that will receive weekly schedule, video and profile notifications (similar to LinkedIn).

For Coaches & Scouts:

  • View full team rosters to research and connect with players before, during, or after the event.
  • Get real-time access to updated schedules for seamless scouting.

For Event Organizers:

  • Provide a professional, up-to-date roster and schedule with minimal effort.
  • Simply invite players by adding their name and email—players create and manage their own profiles.

Best of all, it’s 100% free for players, coaches, and event organizers.

Operational Details – What Event Organizers Need to Do

Here are the operational steps to coordinate using the Team Roster and Directory:

1. (Optional)  Player Profile Creation: Send out info to players about creating a Champs App profile after the register to give them enough time to create their profile. Champs App to provide link + instructional text with explanation for players.  Timing: When Players Register

2. Coach/Scout Profiles: Event Organizer to provide Champs list of coaches participating/scouting the event to ensure a profile is already created.  Timing:  When available (dynamically updated)

3. Coaches/Scouts: Champs App to contact coaches and scouts with Team Roster Directory instructions + Profile activation details.  Timing: Approximately 2-4 weeks before event

4. Create Teams and add Players + Coaches to Team Rosters.   Can be done by Event Organizer or Champs App either manually or via CSV file upload.   Timing:  When available (dynamically updated) 

Click here to learn more and set up a full demo

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College Hockey Recruiting TOOLS Women's Hockey

Champs App Messaging 2.0

“It was truly exciting to see that a coach actually read the email and you were not left wondering if the message disappeared into the college hockey recruiting abyss.”

–  Messaging Tool User

Champs App Messaging is the fastest, easiest way to connect with coaches—and now it’s even better! Now Champs App Messaging has all the features from our original release and new capabilities that will make your recruiting process even smoother.

Here are the New Features to Take Your Recruiting to the Next Level:

View your Sent Messages

Access all your past messages in one place. No more wondering what you sent!

 Save Personal Templates

Customize once, reuse anytime! Quickly send personalized emails to multiple coaches without copy-pasting.

Track Email Activity

See when and how often your email is opened to gauge coach interest. 👀 (Note: Tracking may not work if the recipient has privacy settings enabled.)

Why Use Champs App Messaging?

  • Cuts email time by over 50%
  • Ensures key info is included
  • Reduces errors with pre-filled templates
  • Saves time, improves accuracy & gives you valuable insights

 “16 emails would have normally taken her an entire evening. She was able to do this in well under 2 hours. The app is incredibly user-friendly and easy to navigate.” – Champs App Messaging User

If you’re sending 50+ emails or 10 at a time, Champs App Messaging is a game changer. Give it a try and make recruiting faster, smarter, and more effective!

Try Champs App Messaging 2.0 Now!

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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.

Categories
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.

Categories
2024 Women's Hockey Youth Hockey

Welcome to Champs 2.0

It’s been over 3 years since Champs launched.  Since then we have accomplished some amazing things:

  • Offered a free online hockey profile creation tool for players, coaches, parents and advisors/agents
  • Provided analysis, insight and opinion on a range of women’s hockey topics including recruiting, development and news.
  • Developed several tools to help players, parents and coaches navigate the world of youth hockey
  • Interviewed at least one coach from all 45 NCAA DI Women’s Hockey team

Over the past few months, we have spoken to many users and gotten their feedback as to what they like, don’t like and where they want Champs App to go in the future. The positive feedback to what we have accomplished so far has been amazing and we truly appreciate the trust we have earned from our users.

Continued Commitment to our Mission Statement

Recently I have been asked if I will continue my work on Champs App now that my daughter has committed to play college hockey. And the answer is very simple: Yes.  Not only am I still helping my son with his recruiting journey, but I am also still passionate about helping improve the recruiting and development your hockey experience for all players.  So, plan to see Champs App expand to all youth hockey, not just female hockey, over the coming months.

As a result, our team doubled-down on our commitment to our mission:

“Champs App’s mission is to empower youth athletes to reach their full potential. We serve as your trusted sports recruiting and development copilot, supporting players, parents, and coaches on their journey through youth sports. Our goal is to help you achieve your goals and excel in every aspect of your athletic and academic pursuits.”

New Design

Since our initial launch, many of our solutions have been somewhat independent of each other and somewhat confusing for folks to figure out Champs App.  Today we are launching Champs 2.0 which beings together all our offerings in a more integrated solution.

We have completely redesigned Champs App so that all offerings fit together seamlessly to dramatically improve our user experience.  Our hope is that it is much easier to find and use Champs App as your copilot. 

Changes to our User Experience

You will also see many changes to how users can access and use Champs App 2.0.  While we will continue to provide free content and tools like podcasts, articles and directories on our website, some new content will require a free Champs App account to access special analysis and information.  We have made it easy to create a free Champs App account, without the need to create an online profile.   

Free vs. Subscription Offerings – Focused on Great Value

As mentioned above, Champs App will continue to offer free tools and information, but at the same time we have also started to offer premium tools and services. By charging our community for these value-added services, we can continue to grow and deliver amazing new content, tools and services to our members.  Unlike other organizations in youth sports, you can rely on Champs App to be your trusted brand in all aspects of your recruiting and development journey.

I have been a longtime of Costco and their commitment to ensuring great value to all their members.  We are hoping to echo that same philosophy here at Champs App.  As long as I am running Champs App, our intent is to ensure that that the value our members receive from an offering is significantly greater than the price we charge. Hopefully, our community will quickly discover that Champs App premium offerings are truly great value, especially when compared to paying > $300 for a composite stick.  In addition, we will never have traditional advertising on our site. Any partnerships or sponsorships will need to be highly valuable to our community and truly help solve their unmet needs.  

Our first premium product has been the Champs App Messaging Tool – which ⁠is the fast, easy way to send error-free messages to coaches. ⁠Champs App Messaging⁠ cuts the time to send emails to coaches by over 50%. Over the coming months we will continue to offer additional premium tools and services to our community.  

Stay Tuned – More to Come

There will continue to be small updates we need to make as part of our Champs 2.0 release – so if you have feedback or find something that isn’t working properly please let us know.  We still have a long way to go achieve all the big goals we have for Champs App. You will see new offerings being released throughout the spring and summer – so look out for more announcement on social media, in your email and in the app. Please join us on our journey to be your sports recruiting and development copilot.

Ray Tenenbaum, Co-Founder of Champs App

Categories
Girls Hockey Hockey Tryouts Women's Hockey Youth Hockey

Why Playing at the Right Level of Girls Hockey is Better for Your Development

Recently, we have received the same question from players and parents during our webinars asking if a U18 (Canada) or U16 (USA) aged player should play on a U22 (Canada) or U19 (USA) team. This post provides some perspective on this topic.

In youth hockey, it’s common to hear about players “playing up” – joining a team at an older age level to challenge themselves or gain exposure. While this can be a great move for some elite players, it’s not always the best path for everyone. If you’re not going to be one of the top players on the older team, it’s often better to stay at your current age level or a younger one. Why? Because what matters most in youth hockey isn’t just saying you’re on an older team – it’s about developing the skills, confidence, and experience that will set you apart in the long run.

Here’s why playing at the right level for your abilities can be a game-changer for your hockey journey:

1. Development Comes First

The ultimate goal in youth hockey is to become the best player you can be, and that requires consistent development. Playing at a younger level gives you more opportunities to take on key roles, be involved in critical plays, and contribute meaningfully to your team.

  • More Ice Time: On a younger team, you’re more likely to play in key situations like power plays, penalty kills, and crunch-time moments. This experience is invaluable for your growth.
  • Skill Mastery: Repetition builds mastery. You’ll have more chances to handle the puck, take shots, and make decisions on the ice – all of which sharpen your skills faster than sitting on the bench or playing limited minutes on an older team.

2. Confidence is Key

Confidence can make or break a player’s performance. Playing at a level where you can excel boosts your self-belief and encourages you to push yourself even further.

  • If you’re constantly struggling to keep up with older players, it can be frustrating and demotivating. But if you’re thriving at your own level, you’ll build confidence in your abilities – and that confidence will carry over when you do eventually move up.

3. Exposure Happens at All Levels

One common reason players (and parents) push to play up is the belief that older teams get more attention from scouts and college coaches. But here’s the reality:

  • Scouts Watch All Age Levels: College recruiters and scouts aren’t just looking at older teams. They’re watching for talent and potential at all levels. If you’re a standout at a younger level, you’ll still get noticed – and probably more so than if you were just another player on an older team.
  • Consistency Matters: College coaches want players who have a strong foundation and consistently perform well. If you’re excelling at your age level, it’s a sign that you’re on the right track.

4. Team Impact Matters

Being a leader on your team – even at a younger level – teaches valuable skills that will help you as you progress in your hockey career.

  • Leadership Opportunities: On a younger team, you’re more likely to be a captain, lead your team in scoring, or play a pivotal role. These experiences are essential for developing leadership qualities and resilience.

5. It’s About the Long Game

Youth hockey isn’t just about today – it’s about where you’ll be in the next 5-10 years. If you skip steps in your development by playing up too soon, you might miss crucial foundational skills that you’ll need at higher levels.

  • Skill Progression: By staying at the right level, you can master the fundamentals that will make you a more complete player. This sets you up for long-term success, rather than short-term bragging rights.

Final Thoughts: Focus on Your Growth

At the end of the day, playing at the right level for your abilities is about prioritizing your growth as a player. You’ll still have plenty of opportunities to move up when the time is right, and by then, you’ll be ready to stand out. Remember, the goal isn’t just to say you’re on an older team – it’s to develop into the best player you can be.

Stay focused, work hard, and trust the process. Scouts and coaches notice players who are improving, regardless of what level they’re playing at. Your development is what matters most.

Categories
2024 Women's College Hockey Women's Hockey

How does the level of DI NCAA women’s hockey compare to U Sports and Girls Hockey

A couple of questions many folks have are:

  1. What’s the difference in level of play between NCAA DI and U Sports (Canadian University) hockey?
  2. How different is NCAA DI women’s hockey from top U22 Canadians (or U19 in the States) girls hockey? 

Well, the NCAA DI pre-season provides an opportunity to do a little triangulation to compare these different leagues.  This month several Canadian U Sports and U22 Girls teams play exhibition games against DI women’s hockey teams.  Here are the results:

2023-24 RankNCAA DI TeamNon-DI Team2023-24 Rank
25 Boston University41Concordia (U Sports)1
27Merrimack23Concordia (U Sports)1
26Vermont13Concordia (U Sports)1
18Mercyhurst
40Stoney Creek (U22)12
36Syracuse60Windsor (U Sports)4th in Ontario West
16Northeastern40Durham West (U22)4
8St Cloud State41U of Manitoba (U Sports)6th in CanWest
12Minnesota State62U of Manitoba (U Sports)6th in CanWest
20St Thomas91U of Manitoba (U Sports)6th in CanWest
11Yale51McGill (U Sports)Last in RSEQ
17Brown60McGill (U Sports)Last in RSEQ
Updated 10-15-2024

A few notes to keep in mind – since the data may not be exactly comparable to real games:

  • Keep in mind that these are the first games for the NCAA DI teams, while all the U Sports teams have already played at least a couple of games beforehand. So , the NCAA teams might be still adjusting to each other and new systems
  • These may or may not be the regular season line-ups for the NCAA DI teams, because this is the first time to watch their freshmen in action.  So the NCAA line-ups may be below their regular season quality
  • Games vs U22 teams may not be a full 60-minutes – so the goal differential may be less than a normal game
  • U of Manitoba played St Thomas 15 hours after their game vs. MSU. Their 3rd game in 43 hours.

The data is only directional, but a couple of trends:

  • Given how strong Concordia has been the last few years, it seems the top U Sports teams would be in the middle of the pack (15-25) if they played a DI NCAA schedule
  • There is still a pretty big gap between a good DI team and a top U22 Canadian girls junior team

As more games are played, the final scores will be added to this post.

Updated 09-29-2024

Categories
Champs Girls Hockey Women's College Hockey Women's Hockey

Introducing CHAMPS+

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Introducing CHAMPS+! A new way for Champs to be your recruiting and development copilot!  If you are new to the women’s college recruiting process, you can check out our age-specific playbooks for girls at the 12U, 14U, 16U and 19U age groups that provide a guide to figuring out a path to playing women’s college hockey. Explore the Champs+ Articles, Videos and Events Directory now!

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