College Hockey?

[Fedorov91 0]

Hey everybody. Tomorrow is my last day of High School... :D . It's a good feeling to finally be done... but anyways, to my point. I'm going to Western Michigan University next year and their Hockey team is Div. 1. I don't really know that much about college hockey and I just have a lot of questions. First off, college hockey teams do have tryouts right? To my understanding,the team is already picked but they might have a couple open spots that people can make as a walk-on, right? I really want to work my ass off this summer and improve myself both physically and as a hockey player. I'm going to go to open ice everyday that I can and push myself, and work really hard mostly on skating. I also want to get more serious about lifting weights, maybe join a sports club cuz right now I just mess around with some little weights I have around the house and do push ups. I also run a few miles in the morning if that helps. So basically I'm just asking some of you more experienced guys who have seen more of the "hockey world" than I have and seen whats out there. Is there any chance that I could make it, or is the College level just so amazing that I don't stand a chance and I should just giveup this pipedream. Honestly, I'm being realistic here and I realize that chances are I won't make it, but it's just a dream of mine and I don't want to not give it a shot. Also, one last question. Do sophmores in College stand a chance at making it as a walk-on? Or they they only accept freshmen who they can work into the system and develop them over the next 4 years. Thanks a lot 4 reading this guys, -Keith

[Chadd 916]

Call the coach or AD and tell them you are interested in trying out for the team. They should appreciate someone who is willing to call them.

[steve66 45]

If there are any college players who live near you in the summer, maybe try and get on the ice with them, and by all means ask for their first hand advice.

[Bo from Boston 0]

Not trying to get you down - but your chances of walking onto a D1 program are remote at best. Typically, most of the invitee's have been awarded scholarships and have been recruited. I am assuming that you have never been recruited or visited by a college coach to play based on your initial question. You would have a mucher better chance at a D3 program where a good mix of the players came out of HS - D1 players generally come out of prep or junior programs. I played at ULowell here in Mass - this is not conjecture or my opinion, its fact.

[Bo from Boston 0]

****Correction - walking on and MAKING the team are remote. If your a student and pass the physical, they will let you participate and see how you do.

I also don't know why I typed "mucher"....oh well.

Best of luck guy - keep your head up :)

[chippa13 1844]

While it is not impossible to make a D1 team as a walk on, it is extremely difficult. Priority will be given to scholarship players as the school will want a return on their investment. One other thing which may hurt your chances is that you waited so long to express an interest in playing at WMU. You would have been much better off contacting the AD or hockey coach when you decided that you wanted to apply to WMU. That way they could have scouted you by either taking in a high school game of yours or at least watching your stats through your last season of high school hockey. While that may not help you since you are starting college in the fall, hopefully, those of you entering your senior year in high school who have similar aspirations will take note.

Not to dash your hopes, but unless you were one of the top players on your high school team and in your high school league, your chances are slimmer than slim of making a D1 program. And like Bo said, if you haven't been recruited by any schools to play then D1 probably isn't a realistic possibility for you.

[Gongshow11 1]

It's Not impossible yet very hard. You can tryout, amke the team as a practice player, and move up. I know a guy who went to a college as a walk on, and made the practice squad, and after a weeks or so of practice, he went to his locker room, as coach where his stuff was,a nd the coach said it was in the Varsity locker room. He then went on to play in the NHL . His name will remain unnamed, but dreams can happen, just work you ass off.

[Bo from Boston 0]

Now go kick ass and prove us wrong

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

It's Not impossible yet very hard. You can tryout, amke the team as a practice player, and move up. I know a guy who went to a college as a walk on, and made the practice squad, and after a weeks or so of practice, he went to his locker room, as coach where his stuff was,a nd the coach said it was in the Varsity locker room. He then went on to play in the NHL . His name will remain unnamed, but dreams can happen, just work you ass off.

Why keep him unnamed?

Sounds like a good story, nothing to be ashamed of.

But honestly, if you can play at the D1 level, you would've been found. It's as simple as that. Especially being from that area.

[Bo from Boston 0]

Also - walk on's are generally the guys that get put into vulnerable situations in practices. They ultimately become the practice dummies that the "invited" players crush. On that same note, if a walk on injures a prospect, your are doomed.

[steve66 45]

At least get into the best shape you can, get a try out, and give it everything... it's possible, and you won't be asking yourself 'what if?'. Besides if you don't make it first year, you've got more time to work on it... look at Jordan hehe.

[Kovy_Ribs_Fedo 3]

It's Not impossible yet very hard. You can tryout, amke the team as a practice player, and move up. I know a guy who went to a college as a walk on, and made the practice squad, and after a weeks or so of practice, he went to his locker room, as coach where his stuff was,a nd the coach said it was in the Varsity locker room. He then went on to play in the NHL . His name will remain unnamed, but dreams can happen, just work you ass off.

Never give up your dream. Look at Jim Morris story in baseball or even at Martin St-Louis story. Just have fun trying to achieive your dream.

If you want to improve your shoot, try what Kovy did when he was a kid. Shoot 300 pucks from 9 different positions arround the net, 3 times per week. I try it last year and my wrister shot improve from 15 miles per hour in only one summer!!!

[morty 0]

As far as I know walking on to D1 teams is virtually impossible like most guys said. I've got two friends right now playing Jr. A in the AJHL and BCHL. One that is going on to play University Hockey in the states, and the other one is just 16 so the scholly stuff is just starting to come in for him. Another guy I know plays AAA and was given a full ride to Brown University, all he has to do is play one year of Jr A in canada and I believe that's it. Would most people agree that playing Jr A is definitely the best way to get a scholly or even a chance to make a University team? I've got another year of high school left and have Jr. Camps coming up this fall but the teams will be tough to crack. Is it a good idea to put University off for a year or two and play Jr. and make a University squad in the states?

[Chadd 916]

Here's a list of the incoming recruits, how do you compare with them? It never hurts to try in any case.

http://www.wmubroncos.com/sports/hockey/re...es/recruits.pdf

[chippa13 1844]

As far as I know walking on to D1 teams is virtually impossible like most guys said. I've got two friends right now playing Jr. A in the AJHL and BCHL. One that is going on to play University Hockey in the states, and the other one is just 16 so the scholly stuff is just starting to come in for him. Another guy I know plays AAA and was given a full ride to Brown University, all he has to do is play one year of Jr A in canada and I believe that's it. Would most people agree that playing Jr A is definitely the best way to get a scholly or even a chance to make a University team? I've got another year of high school left and have Jr. Camps coming up this fall but the teams will be tough to crack. Is it a good idea to put University off for a year or two and play Jr. and make a University squad in the states?

One route you may want to try if you think you still need another year or two to develop is prep school. A ton of guys have gone to prep after high school which gave them a little more time to develop and grow.

[Bo from Boston 0]

I think Prep is out - he would have had to make that decision at the beginning of this year and again, been recruited or have his play reviewed. Those teams are almost like a college where the coaches find and offer roster spots to high caliber players from private and high schools. There is also the academic needs and just getting accepted to the school....again, not something to ponder in may - it should have been thought of last Sept.

[Gongshow11 1]

As far as I know walking on to D1 teams is virtually impossible like most guys said.  I've got two friends right now playing Jr. A in the AJHL and BCHL.  One that is going on to play University Hockey in the states, and the other one is just 16 so the scholly stuff is just starting to come in for him.  Another guy I know plays AAA and was given a full ride to Brown University, all he has to do is play one year of Jr A in canada and I believe that's it.  Would most people agree that playing Jr A is definitely the best way to get a scholly or even a chance to make a University team?  I've got another year of high school left and have Jr. Camps coming up this fall but the teams will be tough to crack.  Is it a good idea to put University off for a year or two and play Jr. and make a University squad in the states?

Yes, Jr A is the best way now. im in prep and unless you put up 40+ pts over 2 years, it's hard going d1. prep is more for nescac i believe

and Bo, he can still apply late and do a PG year, it is possible, kids here have doen that

[chippa13 1844]

I think Prep is out - he would have had to make that decision at the beginning of this year and again, been recruited or have his play reviewed. Those teams are almost like a college where the coaches find and offer roster spots to high caliber players from private and high schools. There is also the academic needs and just getting accepted to the school....again, not something to ponder in may - it should have been thought of last Sept.

I was answering to the kid who still has a year of high school left. He could still have a shot at making his way to the preps. The kid who started this thread is pretty much s.o.l.

Yglod, there are actually a good number of prep school kids who make their ways onto D1 teams here in the East.

[cameltaur 0]

Still on the topic of college hockey, but just in a new direction here. I'm just starting to put together my list of schools that i'm applying to in the states come the fall, and am curious about hockey. I'm applying early action to Yale, and if I get in there i'm out of luck in terms of hockey. Same goes for Dartmouth, Cornell and Brown which are (I believe) all D-1. My question is mostly about the quality of D-3 hockey, because I am planning on applying to Williams and Amherst. How competitive are these teams? how do they compare to Canadian hockey, like a AA level?

[Eazy_b97 1]

Not sure of the schools you applied to, but the Captain of a Jr. B team around here ended up getting a Scholly to a D3 school. So that level is head and shoulders above AA.

[chippa13 1844]

I could be wrong but I don't recall Div. 3 schools giving out scholarships for hockey. Division 3 is a realistic option for anyone who was a good high school or junior player.

[Eazy_b97 1]

Might of been a scholarship for educational purposes, but he went to play D3 hockey. He was a hell of a hockey player so I figured it was for that, but I'm hoping that may help you out with the level of play.

[Chadd 916]

I could be wrong but I don't recall Div. 3 schools giving out scholarships for hockey. Division 3 is a realistic option for anyone who was a good high school or junior player.

You might be surprised what a D3 school will do at times. Lebanon Valley College is a very good D3 school, at least they were over the last few years. One of the guys on the team is now playing inline in the PIHA and lighting it up in that league.

[Gongshow11 1]

I think Prep is out - he would have had to make that decision at the beginning of this year and again, been recruited or have his play reviewed. Those teams are almost like a college where the coaches find and offer roster spots to high caliber players from private and high schools. There is also the academic needs and just getting accepted to the school....again, not something to ponder in may - it should have been thought of last Sept.

I was answering to the kid who still has a year of high school left. He could still have a shot at making his way to the preps. The kid who started this thread is pretty much s.o.l.

Yglod, there are actually a good number of prep school kids who make their ways onto D1 teams here in the East.

i am in the east

and cameltaur, Amhert and Williams play in NESCAC, which is the highest d3 league

[chippa13 1844]

I could be wrong but I don't recall Div. 3 schools giving out scholarships for hockey.  Division 3 is a realistic option for anyone who was a good high school or junior player.

You might be surprised what a D3 school will do at times. Lebanon Valley College is a very good D3 school, at least they were over the last few years. One of the guys on the team is now playing inline in the PIHA and lighting it up in that league.

There have actually been a couple of D3 guys who went on to play in the NHL. I'm pretty sure Joel Otto was one of them. A guy I play with now won the D3 equivalent of the Hobey Baker award and played for a little while in the East Coast league back when it was basically a glorified "Federal League". He gave it up because it was such a goon league.