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Category: Women’s Hockey

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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.

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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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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

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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

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

Introducing CHAMPS+

LOGIN to Champs APP to Tour CHAMPs+

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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2025 Development Camp Girls Hockey Player Development Women's College Hockey Women's Hockey

Insights on Preparing for the USA Hockey Girls 15’s and 16/17’s Camps

I have paid close attention to the USA Hockey development camps for the last 3 years and written quite a few posts on the subject.  As the USA Hockey Girls 16/17’s Camp kicks off this week and the 15’s Camp starts next week, I thought I would put together some information and links that might be helpful to players who might be going for the first time.

Expectations for Development Camp

By now, all players have been training to prepare for their week of development camp.  Some parts are more important than others.  After you arrive, you are being evaluated by all the coaches, all the time.  At the same time, unless you show careless disregard for others or basic unprofessional behavior, basic interactions with coaches won’t make much of a difference.  Focus on having fun and learning and not just trying to butter up to the coaches. 

Off-ice testing has little to no impact on your evaluation. The only way it may impact you is if you are significantly above or below the standards for your age group.  Even at the NHL level, little correlation has been found between combine testing results and performance. The only commonly accepted metric is that some of the vertical and horizontal jumping measurements can be connected to on-ice speed.  But that is just one contributing attribute in the making of a professional hockey player.

“Based on just results, the combine has little to no bearing on how successful a player will be in the NHL or elsewhere.”

How you play in the games is the most important element in how you will be evaluated. Do the best you can with your on-ice performance.

Another item to keep in mind, is that many of the coaches working the camp definitely have dual objectives. Of course they want to be involved in USA Hockey and have their personal coaching development agenda – at the same time, many recruiting relationships are formed at these events that continue on after the camp.  It is quite common to hear how the recruiting journey of a player started when they met their future college coach at one of these events.

For 15’s Camp Players:

The Girls 15’s Camp is the first introduction for most players to the USA Hockey National Development Camp process. I wrote about attending the camp as a parent back in 2021:

What I learned attending the 2021 USA Hockey 15’s Girl’s Development Camp Part I

What I learned attending the USA Hockey 15s Girls Development Camp Part II

What I learned attending the USA Hockey 15s Girls Development Camp Part III

Unfortunately, there is no way to make the 18’s camp from the 15’s camp.  If you didn’t make the 18’s camp straight from District Camp, then you will need to wait to next year to be considered again for 18’s no matter how well you perform at the 15’s camp. The only exception might be for a goaltender – but that is highly unusual.

Secondly, keep in mind there is about a 60% chance a player for the 15’s camp does not get invited back next year to either the 16/17’s or 18’s camp.  It’s just how the numbers work as you get older. So don’t take anything for granted and appreciate the time in Oxford, Ohio – because this might be your only USA Hockey National Camp you attend.

Make no mistake, you are being scouted by college coaches at this event.  I had a DI coach tell me that they identified a 2024 recruit at the 15’s camp. This player was on a lower ranked AAA team that did not get much exposure, but their performance at the camp got the player on the schools radar for the coming season.

For 16/17’s Camp Players:

Last year I documented the event as it was going on:

A Few Thoughts After the First Two Days of the 2023 USA Hockey Girls 16/17 Development Camp

More Thoughts on the 2023 USA Hockey 16/17 Girls Development Camp

As I’ve commented in the past, the process is not perfect.  In my opinion, there is not enough data-driven elements included in the evaluation of players. I have seen players with lots of points in the games get passed over for selection, and I’ve seen players with few (or no) points get moved on.  There is also clearly a bias to offensive oriented defenders over stay-at-home ‘defense-first’ players.  

These two analyses provide a good perspective on the level of play needed to be selected to move on to the 18’s Camp. 

Analyzing the USA Hockey Girls 16/17 Camp Defense Selections for the U18 Camp

Analyzing the USA Hockey Girls 16/17 Camp Forward Selections for the U18 Camp

My apologies to goalies, but I don’t have the background to evaluate the goalie selections, other than to look at the online stats such as GAA and Save %.  But I would not trust those statistics, because the folks recording those numbers are not professional statisticians.

There are many attributes that factor into players being selected to advance, but also recognize that the relationship with your coaches and how much they ‘like’ you can play a role. I know of a couple of examples where relationships seemed to have either helped or hurt players being chosen.

Also, keep in mind there were 6 players from last year’s 18’s Camp back competing at the 16/17s Camp.  Those players had to have been pretty good to even have been selected last year – so there is going to be a lot of competition to be one of the few players selected to move on to the 18’s camp. 

From a recruiting perspective, almost every DI school and many DIII school will make an appearance during the week. Some will prefer to come for the early few days when players are still fresh and the quality of hockey is highest. Other coaches will arrive late in the week when they can watch the last day or two and then stick around for the 15’s camp.

Before You Go – Let College Coaches Know you’ll be at the USA Hockey Development Camp

If you still have not yet committed to a college team, take the opportunity to let the coaches at the schools you are interested in know you’ll be there.  Make sure to update (or create) your free, beautiful Champs App hockey profile.  Then use the Champs App Messaging Tool, to save time and ensure accuracy when sending coaches your hockey profile, team information and game schedule for the week.

Categories
2024 Coaching Player Development Women's Hockey Youth Hockey

Summer Hockey Camps – Skills vs. Drills vs. Tips

Over the past decade, my children have attended at least one hockey camp each summer. From a hockey perspective, very few of these camps significantly advanced their development. However, the true value of these camps often lay beyond mere skill improvement. These camps often coincided with family vacations, provided fun experiences, helped them regain hockey shape after a break, or offered a glimpse into a college’s environment. It’s rarely worth traveling solely for a hockey camp unless there are other compelling reasons to visit the destination.

Tips: Necessary but Not Sufficient

At most camps my children have attended, coaches tend to focus on running various drills as a means to enhance players’ abilities. There is nothing inherently wrong with emphasizing skating, stickhandling, and shooting drills. Repetitions and fundamental work can be beneficial, especially for younger players (e.g., 12 and under). However, these camps typically involve large groups, with everyone undergoing the same repetitions. Individual coaching usually consists of sporadic tips and tricks as coaches move among the campers. While tips and drills are valuable, they rarely constitute comprehensive skill instruction. The USA Hockey Development Camps epitomize this approach—featuring excellent coaches who primarily offer pointers and tweaks over the course of several days.

This is why, for the past few summers, I have preferred enrolling my children in local private or semi-private lessons with experts rather than traveling for hockey camps. I would rather invest in trusted coaches who can provide individualized attention and feedback.

Belfry Summer Camp

This summer, I decided to take a chance on a camp that promised to focus on skill development. A few weeks ago, my son attended a destination hockey camp that yielded the highest return on investment (ROI) from a development perspective. The Darryl Belfry Camp distinguished itself from other camps because the coaching staff was dedicated to adding new tools to the players’ toolkits.

The camp had 22 skaters and 2 goalies, with 7 coaches on the ice, many using iPads to record segments of the sessions. Players spent 3 hours on the ice each day, accompanied by a daily 30-minute video review with Q&A and a 1-hour professional gym workout. Notably, there was not a single whistle used during on-ice sessions. Coaches explained and demonstrated drills using their voices without yelling. Each day had a specific skill theme that built on the previous day’s lessons, ensuring that by the end of the week, players had acquired a suite of new skills applicable to game situations. Examples of these skills included making area passes, various types of steals, and explosive skating with and without the puck.

One of my favorite aspects of Darryl Belfry’s coaching is his commitment to keeping the nets in their standard positions for drills. Even in small-area games, he simply shrinks the offensive zone but keeps the nets in place. This ‘ice geography’ approach teaches players to be acutely aware of their location relative to key markers like the faceoff dot and the boards.

My hope was that my son would learn 5 or 6 new skills by the end of the week. He ended up acquiring 8 or 9 new skills, ranging from hook passes to reading the position of the defense on zone entries. This represented a significant ROI for 4 days of training, with each new tool directly applicable to game situations. The personalized feedback report, complete with links to short YouTube videos of my son demonstrating the week’s skills, was particularly valuable. I have been a big advocate of providing feedback to players after attending a camp, but feedback is only as good as the effort put into it. In this case, the detailed feedback, supplemented by video, was especially appreciated.

Setting Expectations

In conclusion, it is crucial to set realistic expectations when choosing a summer hockey camp. If a coach claims, “We will be on the ice for 15 hours this week; your child will definitely improve,” take that with a grain of salt. While this might be effective for younger children, merely repeating the same bad habits does not make a player better. There are few coaches who can both manage a large camp and teach new skills simultaneously; they need to have a background in coaching and a commitment to continuous improvement. Otherwise, ensure that your other priorities are met and view the camp as an opportunity for your child to enjoy being on the ice and having fun.

Categories
Women's Hockey

Champs App Girls Recruiting Webinar July 2024 Registration

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Women's Hockey

How Hard is it to get Drafted to the NHL?

This past weekend our family was very interested in the NHL Draft, because both my kids have played against, practiced with or know several of the draft-eligible players. What was surprising to me was the number of exceptional players we are familiar with who did not end up getting drafted. Specifically, there were several players who did not get selected that were seen as ‘special’ for several years and almost all of them are committed to play DI college hockey – most of them at top schools.

However, knowing that there were only 225 players selected in the 2024 NHL Draft, I wondered how many of the players selected were American?  From there, the math started to kick-in and it helped me realize just how difficult it is to get drafted to the NHL – even in the 6th or 7th round.

Here is how the players selected in the draft breaks out by country:

2024 NHl Draft Picks by Country

Then, when looking at just the American players, you see that by their draft year, almost all the players are playing at the USHL level or higher.  Those who aren’t playing USHL or better this past season, surely will by this fall.

2024 NHL American Draft Picks By Level

Odds of Being Drafted

Now let’s estimate how many players were eligible in the U.S. to be drafted.  If we look at the number of teams for a single birth year, this year’s draft class was playing 15O hockey during the 2021-22 season. That year there were 113 15O AAA teams according to MyHockeyRankings.To make the math simple,  let’s assume most of the Minnesota High School and New England Prep School players also played on a 15O AAA Club team.  Therefore there were about 113 x 20 = 2250 players who played AAA or better who were eligible to be drafted this year in the U.S.  But only 39 or 1.7% were drafted.  Another way to look at it is, that less than 2 full rosters of players ended up being drafted this year.  And if you didn’t make the US NTDP team, your chances dropped by ~40% (when you include NTDP alumnni playing elsewhere this past season). 

There is Still a Chance

Another interesting piece of data I learned recently is where NHL players were drafted by round. No surprise that the most players drafted were in the 1st and 2nd round. But what was surprising is that there were more undrafted players in the NHL than 3rd round selections. 

Bottom line, it is very hard to get drafted. Even harder to make the NHL. But if you didn’t get drafted, there is still hope to make it as an undrafted player.

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