Overseas next year?

[NZblackice 0]

Hey guys,

For the guys that don't know I'm 18 and play hockey in New Zealand. Since I'm in my last year of high school this year (we finish our year in November) I'm looking to work over our summer and save money to play hockey overseas next year. I play in the NZIHL which is the top league in NZ and have played for the U16, U18, and U20 national teams at a few World Championships. I am not sure what level of hockey our National league is equivalent to in Canadian or American hockey standards, but from the best of my knowledge my best shot of playing overseas is JR. B level (or maybe JR. A but I'm a little shakey on that one).

So my aim is to play JR. B hockey in Canada or the USA in 2010 when I will be 19. What I am looking for is anyone who can provide any information on what leagues there are around at the level I'm looking at, places I can live and work during the season etc. Pretty much any information or contacts I can make to work towards going next year. I want to make sure I get everything all sorted before I go because I have had a few friends who have had teams to go to over in Canada and got stung with a huge fee to play from hockey Canada.

Any help is greatly appreciated so please don't hesitate to PM me or leave a comment here.

Thanks in advance guys!

James.

[starsfan71 9]

What region in America are you looking to head to?

[furlanitalia 1]

If you're looking to come to the West coast (Vancouver) I'll gladly give you all the info you need about the teams. Jobs aren't too bad out here either, depending on what you're looking for you might be able to find something directly involved with hockey (I may know a place or two)

[Aussie Joe 0]

Allot of our guys here go to the US or Czech and play decent Jnr level. They always come back so much better it is definately worth it. One of our top goalies in the AIHL missed a spot in a Jnr program in Colorado last yr. Got a call that there was a spot for a top level team in Amsterdam, so hopped on the plane and played the season as first string. He said he faced quality shots in Europe and wasn't fazed where he played.

Also, next winter, consider coming accross to Aus and playing in the AIHL. We have had a few Kiwis come over and do well. It's about a Jnr A level. If you come to Melbourne I can get you in with my club team and introduce you to the Manager of Melbourne Ice, a gent I know well. Tryouts are in April generally.

[fatwabbit 93]

Aussie... scouting already? :)

[Cove 38]

Hey guys,

For the guys that don't know I'm 18 and play hockey in New Zealand. Since I'm in my last year of high school this year (we finish our year in November) I'm looking to work over our summer and save money to play hockey overseas next year. I play in the NZIHL which is the top league in NZ and have played for the U16, U18, and U20 national teams at a few World Championships. I am not sure what level of hockey our National league is equivalent to in Canadian or American hockey standards, but from the best of my knowledge my best shot of playing overseas is JR. B level (or maybe JR. A but I'm a little shakey on that one).

So my aim is to play JR. B hockey in Canada or the USA in 2010 when I will be 19. What I am looking for is anyone who can provide any information on what leagues there are around at the level I'm looking at, places I can live and work during the season etc. Pretty much any information or contacts I can make to work towards going next year. I want to make sure I get everything all sorted before I go because I have had a few friends who have had teams to go to over in Canada and got stung with a huge fee to play from hockey Canada.

Any help is greatly appreciated so please don't hesitate to PM me or leave a comment here.

Thanks in advance guys!

James.

With that American junior team experience why not play in the NCAA?

[Griff 2]

Some of the U.S. Jr B leagues are:

CSHL- Central States Hockey League

WSHL- Western States Hockey League

Nor-Pac- Jr. B in Pacific Northwest

EJHL- Eastern Junior Hockey League

There are more than that. They vary in how good the auctual league is and there is often a huge difference between teams in jr B leagues. I would get on the internet and email as many coaches as you can. There can be a large difference in fees as most jr B is pay to play. Also some Jr. B teams are class organizations and some are shady as fuck. It's something that you have to check out for yourself.

[dontdumpdangle 0]

The EJ is far from junior B, you're thinking of the empire junior hockey league. Feeder league for the EJ

[NZblackice 0]

Hey guys,

For the guys that don't know I'm 18 and play hockey in New Zealand. Since I'm in my last year of high school this year (we finish our year in November) I'm looking to work over our summer and save money to play hockey overseas next year. I play in the NZIHL which is the top league in NZ and have played for the U16, U18, and U20 national teams at a few World Championships. I am not sure what level of hockey our National league is equivalent to in Canadian or American hockey standards, but from the best of my knowledge my best shot of playing overseas is JR. B level (or maybe JR. A but I'm a little shakey on that one).

So my aim is to play JR. B hockey in Canada or the USA in 2010 when I will be 19. What I am looking for is anyone who can provide any information on what leagues there are around at the level I'm looking at, places I can live and work during the season etc. Pretty much any information or contacts I can make to work towards going next year. I want to make sure I get everything all sorted before I go because I have had a few friends who have had teams to go to over in Canada and got stung with a huge fee to play from hockey Canada.

Any help is greatly appreciated so please don't hesitate to PM me or leave a comment here.

Thanks in advance guys!

James.

With that American junior team experience why not play in the NCAA?

I played in the New Zealand junior team not the American one. I don't think NCAA is the route for me at the time being.

So guys, what should I be looking for when looking for a league? Since Jr. B is pay to play, how much are seasons generally going to cost?

I don't know anything about Jr. hockey in can or usa so sorry for all the questions!

Keep the answers coming guys I really appreciate it!

[starsfan71 9]

In Texas there are a few of JR A. teams around where I live. The Dallas Ice Hawks The Texas Tornados (I think not exactly sure) the Texas Renegades and the Texas Brahmas (not sure if they are JR A really. My friend says they are)

[dw91 0]

Tier 3 junior A, is around 8000, afaik. That was the number I was always given when I was checking out tier 3 junior A teams. It sounds like you would fit in at the Tier 3 level, Tier 2 is a lot cheaper in the US, if you could make it.

[furlanitalia 1]

From what I recall Junior hockey in BC doesn't cost anything...

[CTK30 0]

From what I recall Junior hockey in BC doesn't cost anything...

I think C cost like 2k and B is cheaper and A is free

[Darkbyte 0]

Not sure if this helps, but this is what a couple of the Aussie boys are doing

There are also two Australians playing in the GMHL a Junior A league in Ontario, Canada. Both attended the GMHL draft camp Cameron Walsh was the first round draft pick for the Elliot Lake Bobcats who currently sit top of the league. Greg Hyde was the first round draft pick for the Nipissing Alouettes. Both are from the Hawks Club in Perth. Cameron was also recently selected in the Australian National Junior Team. I heard the IIHF World Championship was in DPR Korea in December and due to the problems in the area and short notice Australia were not sending a team.

http://forums.internationalhockey.net/showthread.php?t=6333

[legiahockey 3]

In Texas there are a few of JR A. teams around where I live. The Dallas Ice Hawks The Texas Tornados (I think not exactly sure) the Texas Renegades and the Texas Brahmas (not sure if they are JR A really. My friend says they are)

texas tornadoes are currently the only jr team. brahmas play in the chl my man. ice hawks folded last year and im almost positive renegades did to.very shady organization. and tornados are either ushl or nahl. good strong jr A. id comend staying out of texas though. think youd have better options up north

[kovyperron5727 0]

In Texas there are a few of JR A. teams around where I live. The Dallas Ice Hawks The Texas Tornados (I think not exactly sure) the Texas Renegades and the Texas Brahmas (not sure if they are JR A really. My friend says they are)

texas tornadoes are currently the only jr team. brahmas play in the chl my man. ice hawks folded last year and im almost positive renegades did to.very shady organization. and tornados are either ushl or nahl. good strong jr A. id comend staying out of texas though. think youd have better options up north

Tornadoes are in the NAHL. There is a Midget Brahma team, might of been what stars71 friend got confused with, I played for them last year.

The Hawks and Renegades from what I hear (had friends play for both) are BS organizations.

I agree with legia that you'd be better up north. Check out the CSHL, tier 3 jr a in the midwest.

[adam14 182]

Toronto and surrounding areas have many different junior leagues, GTHL, OHL, COHL, NOJHL all range Around different standards of Junior A..

[NZblackice 0]

I understand about what the different levels (jr. A jr. B etc) are but not completely sure about the tier levels. Is tier 3 junior the lowest? If so I think I would be looking at that.

Still trying to get hold of Furlanitalia so If you read this PM me. Thanks.

[adam14 182]

Yes, tier 3 is the lowest, tier one is OHL CHL WHL etc, where all the guys get drafted from, from tier 2 (in canada) a lot of players go play NCAA because they have that eligability.

[NZblackice 0]

I've been doing my research about different leagues most of this week and recently found out that if I want to play in a league in Canada I will have to pay $2400 just to register for Hockey Canada. Is this correct? Does anyone have any insight into this?

[starsfan71 9]

Someone on here (I think LegiaHockey) Had to pay USA hockey a hefty chunck of cash to play.

[legiahockey 3]

while i got lucky and got around it a temperary transfer to usa hockey woulda ran 800 or 900 bucks. over 2 grand sounds bad though

[NZblackice 0]

while i got lucky and got around it a temperary transfer to usa hockey woulda ran 800 or 900 bucks. over 2 grand sounds bad though

$800 - $900 is a hell of a lot better than over 2k! I guess I'm in the same boat as you assuming you came from Poland to play in USA?

[starsfan71 9]

while i got lucky and got around it a temperary transfer to usa hockey woulda ran 800 or 900 bucks. over 2 grand sounds bad though

$800 - $900 is a hell of a lot better than over 2k! I guess I'm in the same boat as you assuming you came from Poland to play in USA?

If I am correct Legia just went out there to play pro he lived in Texas before.

[NZblackice 0]

while i got lucky and got around it a temperary transfer to usa hockey woulda ran 800 or 900 bucks. over 2 grand sounds bad though

$800 - $900 is a hell of a lot better than over 2k! I guess I'm in the same boat as you assuming you came from Poland to play in USA?

If I am correct Legia just went out there to play pro he lived in Texas before.

Well I have an American passport which I will renew before I go but i don't know if that counts for anything, If i say I am living in the united states and want to just register for USA hockey to play junior hockey will it be any cheaper?