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Tag: college-hockey-recruiting

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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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2025 College Hockey Recruiting Junior Hockey Men's College Hockey Youth Hockey

Navigating the Changing Landscape of Junior and Men’s College Hockey Recruiting

I haven’t written much about my son’s recruiting journey, but now that he is exploring his path to junior and college hockey, I think it’s time to share.

The last time I wrote about him was after he attended his first junior hockey main camp. Now, he is in his senior year of high school, playing 18U AAA hockey, and starting to look at where he will play next year. This includes conversations with junior teams as he navigates his next steps.

The reality is that the new rules allowing CHL players to play in the NCAA next year are already impacting players like my son. I don’t claim to have a deep understanding of all the nuances of the CHL, USHL, BCHL, NAHL, or NCDC leagues. However, I wanted to share a few observations based on what I’ve seen and heard:

  1. Top CHL players will start playing NCAA hockey next year.
    Beyond the CHL players who have already announced commitments to DI programs, I’ve heard of others planning to join top schools. These players may benefit from additional development time before signing professional contracts.
  2. BCHL and U.S.-based players are shifting to the CHL.
    Many BCHL and American players, who might have traditionally played in the NAHL or USHL, are now looking to move to the CHL (OHL, WHL, or QMJHL). With eligibility no longer a concern, talented players are exploring this path as a viable option.
  3. Junior leagues are redefining their roles.
    Every junior league, especially the BCHL, will need to reconfigure its value proposition as a development league. Players now have more options for paths to college hockey or professional opportunities, which could shift the dynamics across leagues.
  4. Recruiting cycles are delayed.
    The ripple effects of these changes are already evident in the recruiting timelines. Decisions on tenders for next season appear slower than in previous years. As NCAA teams finalize their 2025/26 rosters, this will influence CHL and USHL recruiting strategies, eventually trickling down to other junior leagues.

As a parent going through the junior hockey process for the first time, patience seems to be a necessity. The landscape is shifting, and the impact of these changes will likely take time to unfold fully.

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College Hockey Recruiting Women's College Hockey

Understanding the NCAA Division I Women’s Hockey Transfer Portal

The NCAA Division I Women’s Hockey Portal, commonly referred to as the “Transfer Portal,” is a centralized database that allows student-athletes to explore transfer opportunities between NCAA schools. Since its creation in 2018, the portal has become a vital tool for athletes, coaches, and administrators, transforming how transfers are managed in collegiate sports.

What Is the Transfer Portal?

The transfer portal is an online platform where athletes can formally declare their intent to transfer from one NCAA school to another. Once a player enters the portal, they signal to other programs that they are available for recruitment. This system applies to all NCAA sports, including Division I women’s hockey, and was designed to provide greater transparency and flexibility for student-athletes.

How Does It Work?

  1. Player Declaration: Athletes wishing to transfer notify their current school’s compliance office. Within 48 hours, their name is entered into the portal.
  2. Recruitment Process: Coaches from other schools can view the athlete’s information and reach out to discuss transfer opportunities.
  3. No Contact Restrictions: Once in the portal, the player is free to communicate with coaches from other programs without requiring permission from their current school.

Why Is the Portal Important for Women’s Hockey?

The transfer portal has significantly impacted the competitive landscape of NCAA women’s hockey. With only 42 Division I teams, roster spots are limited, and the portal allows players to find schools that better suit their academic, athletic, or personal goals. Similarly, coaches use the portal to address roster needs quickly, especially when looking for experienced players.

Key Benefits

  • Athlete Mobility: The portal empowers athletes to explore their options and make moves that align with their career aspirations.
  • Team Flexibility: Coaches can recruit seasoned players to fill gaps in their lineup, such as replacing injured athletes or graduating seniors.
  • Transparency: Both players and schools benefit from an open, centralized system where transfer intentions are clear.

Challenges and Considerations

While the portal offers new opportunities, it also presents challenges:

  • Roster Uncertainty: Teams may face unexpected departures, disrupting roster planning.
  • Increased Competition: With more players transferring, finding the right fit can be highly competitive.
  • Eligibility Rules: While the NCAA allows one-time transfers without penalty, additional transfers may require a waiver.

How It’s Changing Women’s Hockey

The NCAA Division I women’s hockey portal has reshaped the sport, offering more pathways for athletes to reach their goals. For instance, players from emerging programs may transfer to more established teams, while others might seek a school with better academic or playing time opportunities. Coaches are now incorporating the portal into their recruiting strategy, often balancing incoming freshmen with transfer students to build stronger teams.

Final Thoughts

The transfer portal is a game-changer for NCAA Division I women’s hockey, offering athletes and programs more flexibility than ever before. Whether you’re an athlete considering a transfer, a parent supporting your player’s journey, or a coach navigating roster management, understanding the portal is essential for success in today’s collegiate hockey environment.

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2024 Women's College Hockey

NEWHA vs. the Rest of NCAA DI Women’s Hockey

First off, congratulations to Joe Grossman and the Assumption Greyhounds for their first non-conference win in program history (via shoot out) against UNH this past weekend.  Joe predicted that the team might surprise some folks during our podcast.

Last season, I wrote about the NEWHA conference in relation to playing DIII women’s hockey. As a follow-up, I wanted to track how the NEWHA teams competed at the start of the season when playing their non-conference games.  Clearly, St Michael’s is not competitive with Top 20 teams like Clarkson and Providence. As for the others, you can judge for yourself the overall level of play of the NEWHA against the other conferences.  In my opinion, these results reinforce the takeaways from the previous post about making a thoughtful decision when considering NEWHA vs. DIII women’s hockey. Hopefully, some of the NEWHA teams with the necessary resources can continue to raise the level of play of the conference over the next few years to be truly competitive out-of-conference.

Updated 01/20/2025

As of the end of October, the NEWHA teams have been outscored by a 10:1 ratio. Even scoring a single goal has been a challenge in many games. These match-ups pad the stats of their opponents and help the NEWHA goalies set records for saves. However, it seems that playing non-competitive games where teams are winning by 7 or more goals does not encourage attracting top talent to the conference.

In January, 2025 this ratio has been reduced slightly to 9.3:1; mostly due to the strength of Post vs RIT, LIU vs RMU and Sacred Heart vs. Quinnipiac and UConn.

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Parents Player Development Youth Hockey

Parent Power: Key Factors in Raising College Hockey Players

This past week, my kids played their first games of the season. We’re approaching the end of their time in youth hockey, and I’ve been reflecting on their journey to playing at the highest levels in recent years. One realization I had is just how much work it takes as a parent to help them get to where they are. So, I thought I’d capture my thoughts on the key factors that parents enable to improve their kids’ chances of success in hockey.

Many of these attributes may differ between high- and low-density hockey areas. We live in a low-density hockey area in Northern California, which means relatively limited access to ice time, insufficient high-quality coaching, and few high-level local teams for both boys’ and girls’ youth hockey. In high-density hockey environments, players may be less dependent on their parents to access the resources and competition they need to be successful. If you live in Minnesota or the Greater Toronto Area, it’s much easier to put your player in a position to reach their full potential.

Additionally, if your child is exceptional at a young age, like Sidney Crosby or Connor Bedard, they will likely have no problem finding success. But most kids aren’t prodigies, and parents play a crucial role in helping them develop and find opportunities in youth hockey.

Here are the biggest ways parents enable their child’s hockey success:

1. Getting them to the rink

I know this is as obvious as it gets. But beyond just signing the kids up and paying their fees, waking up at crazy hours or traveling long distances for practices and games is no small task. Often, it means parents need to make sacrifices like missing work, losing sleep, or spending hours in traffic. All of these are frequently overlooked aspects of the vital role parents play in ensuring players simply show up. This summer, I calculated that I drove at least 250,000 miles over the past 10 years just getting my kids to their sports events. That’s a lot of car time. Additionally, the car ride home is a critical experience in ensuring your child continues to love the game. If they begin to dread the car ride because it’s filled with criticism (e.g., being told everything they did wrong), parents can ruin their child’s hockey experience and destroy their motivation to continue playing.

2. Signing them up for multiple sports

There is so much written about how many professional athletes played multiple sports growing up before focusing on a single one. But that doesn’t happen without parents buying into the philosophy and registering their kids for a variety of activities. It’s not just about exposing them to different sports; it also involves managing practice and game conflicts, navigating tight schedules, and rushing from one sport to another. Parents also have to negotiate with coaches who may not be sympathetic to players participating in another sport when there are overlaps. These are additional challenges parents must face to help their child succeed.

3. Finding the best team or coach for their development

Parents play a critical role in determining where a player should play and which team or skills coaches they should trust to develop their child. For the most part, there are no Yelp or Amazon reviews for teams and coaches, so parents need to talk to other parents, synthesize information from social media, and use other online resources to find the best opportunities. Most parents aren’t familiar with all the nuances of youth hockey at each age group, so they spend a lot of time and effort making the best decisions. While Champs App is trying to provide a lot of this information, every journey is unique, and parents invest significant time and energy in making informed choices about which hockey path to take.

4. Financial investment

Hockey is an expensive sport. Candidly, with the professionalization of all youth sports, the average player requires their parents to spend a lot of money on team fees, equipment, travel, and private lessons. Only a few players have their hockey development subsidized through scholarships or municipalities that provide locally-owned rinks with volunteer coaches. For most, playing youth hockey easily costs thousands of dollars each season. As a parent, you are investing in your child’s overall development and should not expect a direct return on investment from hockey.

5. Hockey-specific development

Most parents don’t have the hockey expertise to coach their kids. If they do, it’s a tremendous advantage—assuming the parent handles it productively (which isn’t always the case for over-zealous parents who can inadvertently harm their child’s development). However, any parent can provide access to video (e.g., LiveBarn or other streaming services) at a young age, allowing the player to watch their own shifts. Teaching your child self-awareness and the ability to learn from mistakes using video at an early age is an invaluable asset that parents can nurture, even if they know very little about hockey.

I’m sure I’m missing other key roles that parents play in their son or daughter’s development, but these were the most salient ones for our family. Of course, my kids put in the work—both on and off the ice—to get to where they are today. However, the effort we invested as a family to enable their success was significant, and parents should be recognized for the essential role they play.

Learn More on CHAMPS+

CHAMPS+ Subscribers can read more detail on the role parents play on the path to playing women’s college hockey in our age-specific Women’s College Hockey Playbook

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2024 2025 College Hockey Recruiting Men's College Hockey Women's College Hockey

The NCAA’s New Scholarship Model: A Double-Edged Sword for Women’s Ice Hockey

As part of a recent settlement agreement, the NCAA will be expanding scholarships across all sports, replacing previous scholarship restrictions with roster size limits. This new structure option will take effect in the 2025-26 academic year, coinciding with another significant change: the sharing of revenue with student-athletes.

Old Model: 18 Flexible Scholarships

Under the current model, Division I ice hockey teams can offer up to 18 scholarships, which can be divided among as many players as the coaching staff sees fit. There is no limit on the number of roster spots, allowing teams to carry an unlimited number of non-scholarship players.

New Model: 26 Fixed Scholarships

The new option presents a different approach: teams must roster exactly 26 players, each of whom will receive a full scholarship. No partial scholarships are allowed, and teams are required to maintain 26 players throughout the entire season. If revenue-sharing dollars are available, they would be distributed among these players.

The Dilemma for Men’s and Women’s Hockey

For men’s ice hockey, where the average roster size last season was around 30 players due to frequent injuries, limiting the roster to 26 spots could be problematic. Teams may find it difficult to maintain a full squad throughout a grueling season.

On the women’s side, the new structure might offer more scholarships than necessary. Last season, Division I women’s teams averaged about 25 players, a number slightly inflated by graduate students taking advantage of a fifth year of Covid eligibility. Most coaches suggest their ideal roster size is between 24 and 25 players, including three goalies. Typically, teams only need 20-22 skaters and two goalies for the season unless a significant number of injuries occur.

Key Considerations

1. Financial Viability: Many programs, especially in women’s ice hockey, may struggle to afford 26 scholarships. Women’s hockey is not a revenue-generating sport for most schools, and increasing scholarships from 18 to 26 could significantly raise operational costs.

    2. Top Programs’ Advantage: Schools with large athletic budgets, like Ohio State, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, are most likely to consider adopting the new scholarship model. These programs benefit from substantial revenue streams from TV deals and their football and basketball programs.

    3. Optimal Roster Size: Most women’s teams only require 22-24 players, making the new 26-player requirement potentially excessive. Even last season’s national champions, Ohio State, had just 24 players, while runner-up Wisconsin primarily utilized 22 players.

    4. Playing Time Concerns: Elite players might opt for programs where they are more likely to play, rather than sitting in the stands as the 24th, 25th, or 26th player on a top team. This trend has already been observed with the current transfer portal, and it may intensify under the new scholarship model.

    5. Impact on Ivy League and Smaller Programs: Ivy League schools, which do not offer athletic scholarships, and other programs unable to afford 26 scholarships, could find it increasingly difficult to compete for top talent. This could further widen the gap between the elite and less-funded programs in women’s hockey

    The Road Ahead

    While the new scholarship model has the potential to increase opportunities for women’s ice hockey players, the actual impact will depend on how many schools can and will adopt it. The coming months will reveal which programs opt for the expanded scholarships and how this change will shape the future of collegiate women’s hockey.

    Learn More on CHAMPS+

    CHAMPS+ Subscribers can watch former DI coach, Harry Rosenholtz from College Hockey Showcases discuss the new scholarship rules during the August CHAMPS+ Webinar:

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    2024 College Hockey Recruiting Girl's Showcase Girls Hockey Women's College Hockey

    Labor Day Weekend Tournaments: How Important are they for Recruiting?

    Labor Day weekend tournaments can be a bit of a conundrum for aspiring women’s college hockey players. On one hand, these events, such as the PIP Labor Day Girls Fest and the NAHA Labor Day Tournament, attract dozens of college scouts. On the other hand, these are often the first games of the season for many teams, so there are bound to be mistakes as players adjust to new teammates and systems.

    So, how should a prospective college student-athlete approach this first weekend of hockey from a recruiting standpoint?

    The answer depends on where you are in the recruiting process.

    If You’re a 2027 High School Grad or Later

    If you’re a 2027 grad or younger, the pressure is relatively low. While you’ll certainly be scouted during this first weekend, most Division I schools will also attend two or three additional high-profile events in September and October. These include the Stoney Creek Showcases, the RUSH Hockey Two Nations College Prep Series and the popular Minnesota Girls Elite NIT Tradition Tournament.

    If you’re a DI-caliber player, as long as you perform reasonably well over Labor Day weekend, you’ll have multiple opportunities to showcase your skills at an even higher level in these future events. For example, if you’re a goalie and your team’s defensive structure isn’t quite solid yet, causing you to let in a few goals, don’t stress too much. Coaches understand that early-season games come with challenges, and there’s no need to be overly concerned about hitting peak performance in your first tournament.

    If You’re a 2025 or 2026 Grad

    For 2025 and 2026 grads still looking to secure a college spot, the stakes are higher. Many 2026 players were contacted after June 15th but haven’t received offers yet; they’ve started conversations with schools and have been told by coaches that they’ll be watched “in the Fall.” Well, these are the games where you’ll be closely evaluated.

    If you’re already in talks with some teams, or at least contacting schools with open spots, this could be one of your last chances to make a strong impression. Scouts will expect uncommitted players to have worked hard over the summer and to be ready to prove they’re capable of playing at the DI level. The margin for error is smaller for players in this group, so it’s important to demonstrate that you’re ready to take the next step in the recruiting process.

    Additionally, be prepared to see many DI coaches that have already made offers to players to be talking to them in the lobby. After games, DI coaches will find their potential recruits and their parents to connect. Many times they will leave the rink together to go out for a meal. Don’t be discouraged if you aren’t approached by a DI coach, many times they have their own agenda at these events – sometimes it is scouting, sometimes it is just to close players with existing offers.

    The Bottom Line

    In any situation, you always want to be playing at your best. If you’re on track to play DI hockey, it’s unlikely that anything that happens this weekend will drastically change your trajectory. At worst, you’ll remain on a team’s radar, but some areas for development might be noted. However, if you’re already in discussions with schools and they’re trying to decide whether to make you an offer, there’s definitely pressure to perform. You need to show that you can be a top player at a tournament against strong competition, even this early in the season.

    Ultimately, Labor Day weekend is an important milestone in the recruiting process, but it’s just one of many opportunities to prove yourself. Play hard, stay focused, and remember that this is just the beginning of the season.

    To learn more about Planning for the 2024-25 Season, attend our CHAMPS+ Recruiting Webinar with Harry Rosenholtz from College Hockey Showcases – Thursday, August 22nd at 8 pm ET (5 pm PT). Free for CHAMPS+ Subscribers.

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    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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    2024 Coaching College Hockey Recruiting NCAA DI Commits Women's College Hockey Women's Hockey

    Women’s DI Hockey Head Coaching Changes – Implications on Recruiting

    (Updated June 29, 2024)

    Since the end of this past season, at the NCAA DI women’s hockey level, there have been nine head coaching changes, along with the announcement of Allison Coomey as the first Head Coach at Delaware.

    SchoolOld CoachNew Coach
    AssumptionJack SweeneyJoe Grossman
    Bemidji StateJim ScanlanAmber Frykland
    ColgateGreg FargoStefan Decosse
    DartmouthLiz Keady NortonMaura Crowell
    DelawareN/AAllison Coomey
    Minnesota-DuluthMaura CrowellLaura Schuler
    Minnesota StateJohn HarringtonShari Dickerman
    PostGretchen SilvermanPat Bingham
    St Michael’sChris DonovanMeghan Sweezey
    UnionJosh ScibaTBD

    Coaching changes can occur for various reasons—positive, neutral, or negative. These may include retirement (e.g., Bemidji State, Minnesota State), a coach moving on to a new opportunity (e.g., Colgate, UMD), or a coach’s contract not being renewed due to on-ice performance or program dynamics. Often, it may be a combination of these reasons. When there is a change at the top, it can have multiple implications for potential recruits, current commits, and existing players.

    Potential Scenarios from a Recruiting Perspective

    1. Status Quo – A planned succession process is in place. Generally, the same principles or cultural philosophies will be maintained with minimal changes, aside from the new coach adding their personal touch to the team.
    2. New Sheriff in Town – The new head coach brings in their own assistants, changing the entire leadership of the coaching staff.
    3. Best of Both Worlds – A hybrid approach that combines the best of the old with new ideas and personnel.

    Impact on Potential Recruits

    If you are a player interested in a school undergoing a head coaching change, you could be directly affected. You might have built a relationship with the previous coaching staff over several years at showcases or camps, which influenced your interest in the school. With a new coach, you may need to establish new relationships and reassess your interest.

    For players from the Class of 2026 who are now eligible to speak with the school, conversations might be delayed or paused due to the transition. Currently, there are a few top schools without head coaches (e.g., Colgate, Minnesota Duluth, Union), and it’s unlikely that players will commit until a new head coach is appointed.

    Additionally, a “New Sheriff in Town” head coach may have their own list of potential recruits, which could exclude you. Thus, having backup options is advisable.

    Impact on Incoming Recruits

    Data from recent years suggests that most of the time, incoming and future commits remain unaffected by a new head coach; both the coaching staff and the recruits stay committed to each other. However, there have been instances where a new head coach implements a different recruiting strategy, resulting in commits being told they no longer have a spot. Depending on the situation, a de-committed player may have limited options for the 2024 or 2025 seasons.

    Conversely, NCAA rules allow players to de-commit and seek another school if they do not favor the new coach. Essentially, both parties have the opportunity to re-evaluate the relationship and decide if they want to stay together or move one from each other.

    Impact on Existing Players

    When a coaching change occurs, existing players have the option, under NCAA rules, to enter the transfer portal and find a different school. The NCAA grants a 30-day immediate portal window for players whose head coach departs. Recently, I spoke with a parent of a first-year player at a top DI women’s team who expressed concerns about uncertainty. The player loved the previous coaching staff and culture, and there is nervousness about whether the same philosophies will continue under the new staff.

    Similar to minor hockey, any time a player gets a new coach, they must adjust. Most players will need to re-establish their role on the team, which could affect their ice time. Each student-athlete should evaluate their situation and decide whether to stay or explore options in the transfer portal. Ideally, new coaches will take the time to get to know their team and communicate their plans for each player, allowing players to make informed decisions.

    One final point to consider is that assistant coaches are also affected by a change in head coaches. They too can experience positive or negative impacts under new leadership. In some situations, most of the staff is retained, while in others, the incumbent assistants do not return, and the new head coach assembles their own team.

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