Need Advice, Juniors?

[pat19 0]

So about a month ago I played in my last high school game. When it was over it was sad, I figured I'd never play competitive hockey again so I tried to forget about hockey and haven't played since or really thought about playing. Now tonight is a senior all-star game and I've just been thinking about it all day and I really want to play hockey next year. I don't think I could make an EJ team seeing as if they're not looking at you already theres like a hundred kids trying out for a couple spots. There is a CHA junior B team that I'm thinking about playing for but I played junior B sophomore year and I don't know what level hockey it would be, would I be playing the same hockey 3 years later? Anyone know anything about it? I don't know if it would be worth it, just to keep playing competitive hockey. Also what are the NCAA eligibility rules? I plan on going to community college next year, I don't want to take a year off and rely on junior B hockey getting me into a D3 school or something. If I'm a full time student could i still possibly play D3 after 2 years? I know I'm not really going anywhere in hockey but I just want to play for as long as I can.

I've just been thinking about it and I'm leaning towards not worth it, but I love hockey and don't want to give it up.

[greech 4]

Pat, I went through the same thing last month. Difference is I'm going to a four year school, so that pretty much took precedence. It all comes down to your motivation: do you want to skate as long as possible, or are you banking on playing NCAA in a couple years? Another thing to look at after junior is a program like URI, it's really really good hockey, just not NCAA hockey. Take a look at where kids have come from to play there it's pretty impressive.

[RecLeagueHero 0]

If you just want to play competitive hockey of some sort I wouldn't get too worried about exactly where it was. Typically Jr. B hockey won't prevent you from playing NCAA hockey. You should of course check with the NCAA about the specific league, but generally with Jr. B you're paying for at least your billet and not getting any money from the club so it won't do anything to your amauter status. As long as you remain an amauter the clock doesn't start running on your NCAA eligibility until you start playing.

All that said, you seem to have realized there isn't really a future in hockey for you beyond maybe some D3 hockey. If that works with your long term plans, then great. But really, you should be sitting your long term goals and worrying about that first and foremost. If hockey just isn't going to work around that, then so be it. When I aged out of junior hockey it was hard, so I sympathize with what you're going through. But I'm sure you'll regret it if you get yourself off track just to play a few more years of competitve hockey.

[dontdumpdangle 0]

The CHA isn't that good of a league. As far as junior B goes, I would try and get onto an empire team who has an A team in the EJ. The NCAA rule is you cant be a full time student or your clock starts ticking. Once your clock starts, you have 5 years to play four years of hockey. Im not sure but I think that only applies to division 1/2

[MR MIZUN0 0]

Maybe you could play in an elite adult league, where I live, there are former ECHL players in many of the leagues.....

[Ital79 0]

Have any relatives near you but in a different college district? If so, check out if any of the community colleges by them are within reasonable driving distance and have a hockey team. Simply change your residency/home address to where they live and voila! You are in district and are eligible to attend the school/try out for the team.

[roscoe6 1]

You lose eligibility when you take more than 12 credit hours a semester. Play Juniors, go to a CC and take 2 or 3 classes a semester, enjoy hockey as long as you can. I played Juniors for 3 years and I just finished my Freshman hockey season, but am a Sophomore credit wise, and still have 4 years worth of NCAA eligibility left. I hope this made sense.

[dontdumpdangle 0]

I played Juniors for 3 years and I just finished my Freshman hockey season, but am a Sophomore credit wise, and still have 4 years worth of NCAA eligibility left. I hope this made sense.

You only have 3 more years of playing hockey though correct? Also what school?

[kovyperron5727 0]

Maybe you could play in an elite adult league, where I live, there are former ECHL players in many of the leagues.....

This is a good idea. Some of these leagues have some great players, and playing against pros will progress your game quickly.

Best of luck wherever you go man!