Very informative Vid. Can you make a follow up to this explaining different paths from some NHL players...example: Auston Matthews, Jack Hughes, Rasmus Dahlin, Mitch Marner to undrafted like Jonathan Marchessault.
My brother started a little over 1 year ago and is now on a u16 AAA t1ehl hockey team being scouted for the Naphl. This will be a huge help for him to look at
Ethan Hawthorne I’m sorry but I find that extremely hard to believe. Even the best athlete in the world couldn’t play AAA their first year on skates especially since he’s older
I think the goals part is up to you as far as long term. Where do you want to play? College? Major jr? Professional? Then work backwards... create a plan from where you want to be to the place you are now. Then you have to get an idea of the level of skill of players at that level and systemically and consistently build those skills. Skating, puck skills, hockey sense and compete level. There are also fitness factors that will help. Then create the opportunity to play against better and better players to get comfortable ...and then to be competitive at each level you are aiming for. Consistent development- daily practice of stick handling (20 mins min.), shooting (100 pucks/day min) [and skating if possible - can you get on the ice on your own every day? how many days a week can you get on? push for more] that will help you get better and better... and of course have fun. If this all becomes stressful you will not want to keep playing. Do what feels right for you but understand the habits of the best players.
Good luck bud! Make sure you do as many camps and extra training you can especially because you’re jumping straight into 14U where checking comes into play.
And i understand that a lot of time needs to be dedicated to this but that is also so hard to do with things like schoolwork, any suggestions on ways to still work this in to an everyday schedule? i also play 6+ days most weeks (also play for my high school team)
@@zackkeenan2242 thanks for your question. So the key is to be able to make and compete at AAA. The jump from AA to AAA is never easy and is an adjustment so practicing and playing against older players, players already at that level is always part of my suggestion. Being honest in your self assessment of where your skating is at vs the level you want to play at - so you can work and improve enough to skate at that level. Waiting for a tryout to figure this out imo is a mistake. Figure it out now...same for stick handling and hockey sense i.e. making the best decisions with and without the puck in game situations. Communicate now with coaches at the teams/level you are thinking about and ask for their feedback on what they need, what you have to work on to not just reach the next level but also become over time and with work a top player. Again focus on four personal areas of skating, skills, game sense and compete level. Training with top skating or skills coaches in your area doesn't hurt. I suggest checking into see if anyone is running power edge pro or turcotte stickhandling camps in your area. are you a forward or d btw? Time management is a part of everyone's life including school work but by planning your school, training and sleep, nutrition... you can make it happen.
Thanks for your question...so the logical progression would be to go A-> AA-> AAA. To do this you need to imo work on 4 things every day 1. stickhandling and shooting (puck skills) 2. skating - think edge control (do you know your edges how many there are?) and speed 3. hockey sense. Who is your favorite player? Watch them and understand the decisions they make in all zones with and without the puck and copy them. Do this regularly. 4. Compete. Every shift is a battle and a race. You must win all battles for the puck. faceoffs, boards, transition 1:1, getting to scoring areas etc. Skating coaches, shooting coaches are all helpful. Stickhandling for 20 minutes and shooting 100 pucks a day off ice is helpful. Your improvement in games will need to be a result of your work on the 4 areas I mentioned a little each day and playing with and learning from better players, coaches. I will do a few videos on this including how to figure out the skills inventory of where you actually are and where you want to be-- and thus what you want to work on over time to improve.
Roman Thompson I’m from Minnesota too and since Minnesota doesn’t do AAA because most players will play highschool since its really good you have two options play highschool and get scouted from there or move out and billet to play AAA
Thanks man, we’ll put together video, I am 14, have a family advisor and am currently looking to be placed next year for triple a, and moving away from home!
hi there ... thanks for your comment. Good point... and my plan is to do a video on NCAA (and the other levels I mention). As you point out NCAA= D1 and D3 (no D2). For sure the D1 programs are more likely to allow someone to play at a pro level after but it's entirely possible for someone at a D3 school could advance to play somewhere in the world as a professional. ACHA is generally club level but I am seeing that these schools often will offer financial assistance for education packages... so its a great option regardless of wether you can advance to pro afterwards... which is entirely possible. I always say-- just keeping playing and pushing for the next highest level you can.
Pucks and Dreams in my experience ACHA D1 is slowly growing to a higher level of hockey and highest level teams can compete with NCAA D3 schools. I have seen players who continue to play after the ACHA/NCAA D3 go on to play in lower level professional leagues like the ECHL. After ACHA D1 however the lower divisions are all club teams containing tier two level players at best. Arizona State University is a good example of how the ACHA is growing larger and larger every year
Hi I play on a AA prospects team in the CSDHL and this is my first year playing there. I am Peewee Major. I want to make it to the NHL. Do you have any recommendations for now and later and how to get there In the future?
I’m 13 nearly 14 and I’m pretty good. I moved teams due to to many goalies on my original one and stayed there for a year. Fast forward a year I’m back at my home team although my new team I just moved from had one other goalie for competition and I think I could has gotten on the AA team for that organization. My home team shafted me in try outs and I landed on the b team splitting time with another goalie that’s horrible. All I want to do is play high school hockey and the goalie for that high school looks good. What should I do?
hi Noochy thanks for your comment. I will start by asking What is your goal with hockey? Then here are a few comments based upon what you have said. The challenge with goaltending is that there are obviously few spots. The one thing I know is that with such a critical position it's important to pick the absolute best goalies and that is generally-all things being equal- what coaches do. That means different things but generally it means you are reliable and work hard to develop your skills as a goalie, and that you are a positive team mate. If a goalie is not trusted by his team for either of these - it has a very detrimental effect on the team. Politics aside, this is my experience. OK so I think as a goalie 1. you want a strong coach. Teams are notoriously terrible at developing goalies and self taught goalies are going to struggle vs trained goalies. Show me a top goalie and I will show you his coach and it's never the coach of a team. 2. You want to work with your personal goalie coach to identify the best spot for you so ideally they will advocate for you and provide honest feedback on your game performance, and have coaches they can recommend you to.
I’m 14 second year bantam a but what should I do next year I could play AA at my home rink I’m like 5’4 or should I try for a prep school that could be an option
Let's not worry about size. Focus on skating, skill, hockey sense and your compete level for pucks. Thats the first thing. Second, prep schools are a thought and if you can afford one/make one not bad depending on where and how good you are, how good the league is. AA - if that is the highest level locally and you are say playing rec now(?) or "A" then thats a logical next step. If I was 14 I would dedicate myself for a year to getting faster and better skilled with the puck. Team practices alone are not going to do it. Every day I would practice stickhandling for at least 20 minutes, (off ice is fine, ideally with a puck and one of those fake ice sheets or some other smooth plastic surface) shooting 100 pucks. I would find ways that I can practice and play with players older, better than myself. I would go to stick and puck and practice my stops, starts, transition from forward to backwards, edges, quickness and I would look at something like Power Edge Pro - are there coaches/camps doing this in your area? [google it] If not suggest to your coach they look at it and bring it in for your team. Ask yourself if I work at these things consistently for a year, how good can I get? What is the highest level team I can make to get more attention?
Hi. I’m a 30 year old 5’ 10” goalie in a men’s league in southern Indiana. What path do I take to become an emergency back up goalie? Don’t tell me that ship has sailed.
aye i’m a u16 playing AAA in the states on a pretty good team and i was leading scorer on my team last year but didn’t get drafted in the ushl ohl or nahl and i don’t know what to do for next year. any recommendations?
i’ve also played AAA since i was 5 in toronto then moved to the states where i was consistently top 30 team in the country so i just want to know my options on if i should move to play somewhere else or continue with AAA for u18 and then try for a nahl or ushl roster
So I'm thinking you for sure need to be on the radar of coaches in nahl and ushl now. The good thing about the u.s. is that those are both older leagues and you have time but it is a n important time for you. Tryouts are important but I would think about how to get your profile in front of coaches and GMs now and maybe get feedback on where you are at. It might also make sense to talk to an advisor or agent who can do this for you. I can give you more specific advice if I know the team you play for and you elite prospects profile.
I’m a 2002 born and started playing in my 2nd year peewee and have played house league all my years, I’m trying to go to a hockey school to get better, but is it too late?
hi thanks for your comment. I guess the real question might be too late for what? Hopefully you love playing and your focus should be on having fun and getting better and being a life long hockey player in the future whether that is men's league, club etc.. A camp is a great start, the reality is that to get better a camp can help but top players do camps, train daily and play at the highest level. I'd say that your focus should be upon pushing yourself and finding ways to practice against better players as soon as possible and as much as possible. Attend camps, tryouts of the level you are thinking of playing next year. Come up with your own daily skills and skating routine to get better. Check out Turcotte stickhandling, Power Edge Pro, Sean Sinner, iTrain, Hockeyshot.com / Coach Jeremy, Pavel Barber on TH-cam for ideas on this ... I would say shooting 100 pucks a day, following a progressive stick handling routine for 20 mins a day are starts. Try to skate every day and work on your edges and starts/stops. The jump from rec to any sort of rep might be significant and at 17 time to play at high levels is not on your side, but who knows? Doing more in a short period of time and consistently between now and tryouts in April can tell you a lot about if you can make the jump in the short term.
I just turned 16 and i’ve played house league for like 3 years now but i just need some help with knowing what i can do to be able to play NCAA and hopefully pro
hi thanks for your comment. So realistically you are not competing at a high level (recreational) and would need to understand the gap between where you are and where you are thinking. As with most people who are 'thinking' about competing at NCAA or Pro they are going up against players who practice everyday and compete against players also on the track to the highest level. It would be a long road but if you are serious you would need to get to a AAA or AA level this season or next. Start by reaching out to coaches to see if you can practice with their teams or if they are willing to watch you play and give you feedback. You basically need to be on the ice every day developing your individual skills (skating, stickhandling) and develop your compete and game sense against the most competitive level and players you can. Between now and January reach out to several coaches and see if you can do this - and come up with a short term plan to develop your skating and skills. This would logically include weekly sessions with a skills coach and a skating coach either 1:1 or in small groups. Talk to players at the level in your area and get their feedback and see who that hardest working/most skilled player is and see if you can practice with them. Train with them. Where are you based?
Also plan on attending tryouts in April-June and see what camps in your area there are. See if you can find a Power Edge Pro or Turcotte stickhandling camp nearby
Pucks and Dreams i am based in the US, Las Vegas, so i would need to try and make a triple a or double a team and go to camps to get that competitive edge?
@@Sebastian-vd7sn its more than just a competitive edge. It is not a one time thing. Players at AAA often practice every day on their own + work with specialty coaches and then their teams. They train over the summer. They go to camps. Sometimes they go to full time hockey academies from the age of 11 or 12 years old. Right now step one is to understand the different between playing hockey recreationally and dreaming of ncaa/pro v.s. actually being against players at that level. Currently you have no idea what the level of hockey you are at vs the speed, tempo and physicality of a true midget program. In Las Vegas there are the Jr. Knights I suggest start there, attend skills sessions, talk to AA/AAA coaches and players and try to get on the ice every day. You have nothing to lose by going for it, but understand there is going to be a gap. That is only logical. Then its up to you over time are you willing to work to improve enough to make up for the gap between where you are at and where you want to be. www.vegasgoldenknightsjr.com/
Good question! I guess it all depends on how good you are [or can get]. Can you play right now on a legit AAA team or within the next year? Can you score, skate, do you have hockey sense? How long have you been playing? these are all good places to start.
@@johnlosh5221 skating is a must now to play anywhere tough to get by without it. If you are serious about seeing how good you can get I suggest check out www.beawesomehockey.com/page/show/2470910-boris-skating-camp-
I wish I had people like you around when I was trying to catch up with the junior team in the 80s went up and played about 160 games arm got real bad facial injury it wasn’t really worth it Came back and finished up with a couple years playing D1 after they made the NCAA rule change
that depends but it is for sure difficult at 15U. Are you in the US or Canada? Ideally you play your 16U season on a AAA team somewhere (next yr). If you are in the east the OHL draft is your current season. West, it was last year in the WHL but a couple of things. 1.in the USA you can play 16U at NAPHL or Tier 1 elite and still have a good level of talent to compete against and have scouts 2. in Toronto/Ontario there is a major midget draft for the OHL so playing in the GTHL Midget season AAA there are lots of open spots and attention 3. in Western Canada (BC) there is also the BC Hockey run Major Midget league which gets scouted 4. CSSHL or USPHL (CDA, USA respectively) school leagues get scouted plenty 5. failing everything go to USHL/Tier 1Jr. tryouts come April-June for next year- there are plenty
@@mark3697 that would make sense. A couple of suggestions for you that you can start with now... 1. go watch them play AND practice and get your head wrapped around the speed, decisions they make with the puck. 2. when you watch games count the time each player gets to touch the puck and then moves it or shoots it as you watch 3. see what players do without the puck. Are they gliding or moving their feet? these will start giving you clues as to how you can play at your current level and next year to make that team 4. talk to the coach and tell him your goal to make his team and ask for advice
Pucks and Dreams alright that sounds good but I also have a question about college hockey. My grades in school are about a 3.7 gpa and can make most colleges, would division 1 college hockey be good as well?
@@mark3697 yes however its not realistic to think you will make an NCAA Division 1 team playing AA alone... you will need time at AAA/Tier 1 or a prep school (USPHL, for e.g) and likely Jr A/USA Major Jr. (NAHL, USHL). NCAA teams are not built at tryouts and not often made by walk-ons. You need to compete against and show you are better than 80%+ of players at the highest level of Tier 1/major jr imo... there are 68 NCAA Division 1 teams and 72 Div 3 (no Div 2) ... so there is plenty of competition. Don't get stressed about it though, just understand the logical path you want to pursue in the next 2-3 yrs and work (have fun) trying to make each level. #trusttheprocess #enjoythejourney
Any team competing for a tier 1 state championship that is nationally bound technically would be AAA. It is unlikely a team (not always true) would compete at this level if they were actually tier 2 (A, AA) calibre- although it certainly happens.
and your definition is possibly ok or at least part of how you can evaluate where to try out/attempt to play... although I think when you get into the weeds of 50-75 there is certainly far less attention on them. Is the program attending events with top tier players and teams? e.g. naphl, tier 1, high performance league vs canadian teams, playing in Canadian AAA or CSSHL leagues, tournaments? This of course has nothing to do with your evaluation of the volume of non-game ice a program has, the focus on individual skill vs group/team tactics, the coaching etc. It is a reasonable part of the evaluation however of where to play along with the program's track record of producing players that move on to play major jr, jr, ncaa etc.
Usually one you have to try out to make. There’s a lot that are scams. There’s one in my state who will take anyone and they just suck. What state do you live in? I can find a good match for you.
check out this great look at Hockey Sense from the coach of the Portland Winterhawks, Mike Johnston www.linkedin.com/posts/mike-johnston-35049347_coach-hockey-coaching-ugcPost-6597566241026772992-AfOI
great! nothing wrong with roller hockey but best of luck - my suggestion is to start skating and pr acting on ice now- whether its as a guest of the team you are thinking of trying out for next year or stick and puck, clinics, camps etc
I’m 19 and I’m really good I would’ve played juniors last year but I was in the millitary I’m currently out now though is there any way I could play the miners and should I play junior a next year
hi thanks for your question. So my first question would be what is the highest level you have played? How long ago? You are currently in try-out territory so we gotta figure out a realistic level and someone(multiple someones) who will consider if you fit on their team.
Pucks and Dreams 1) I used to play goalie at 18 AAA got hurt and switched to forward when I was 18 and I’ve been training ever since . Got really good in a short time and have skated with junior a players and fit right in. I live in Roseville , CA.
Thank you Fyre. so food for thought: our team in the WHL... drafted forwards who are 5'1 & 5'3 - because they are highly skilled. Losing a year doesn't help anyone and size is for most teams not their primary consideration. The game has changed and we focus on 1. skating 2. skill 3. hockey sense 4. compete level
and the most important thing is to enjoy playing. You only have so many seasons before your minor hockey time is up and I encourage everyone who plays to not take seasons off- Keep Playing, Keep Improving
Pucks and Dreams yup, if you’re taking a year off to grow? That’s quite random, who knows when his growth spurt will even hit honestly what if it’s at 16 then he’s just wasted a year for no reason. I’m a second year player already playing in AA Bantam going into midgets next year.
Everyone thinks they are good. Everyone's parent's think their kids are good. Most families - in the U.S. for sure - have no idea what the different leagues, levels mean and if a player 'thinks' they are good vs weak competition and doesn't understand the actual path then they get stuck. They never understand how to evaluate their skills and ability vs the best players, partially because they don't expose themselves to the true level that players who eventually play at the highest levels come from. Then they make up excuses why other players progress - they were ripped off, nobody believes in me, its too expensive etc etc etc. They also have no exposure as a result to the best training methods, habits that the best players have. They also do not understand the viewpoint of the people picking teams- coaches, scouts and GMs. Saying "just be good" is an oversimplification and misses the entire point. There is a path for players to play, there are also players at those levels who don't even make the next level because they "can play" but don't have what it takes to play at the next level. Part of this is a ladder theory where you need to progressively get to the top levels and then progressively improve your skills to get to the top of the top level. Some people think its all genetics, luck or politics. Its none of that in the end. For some yes, but this is a sport where there are few short cuts. Skating, stickhandling, shooting a puck. These require more than athleticism and luck. They require consistency and training. How do below average players get better? The same way top players do. Understanding what their current limits are and them having breakthroughs to a new 'limit'. It's training consistently on skills, skating, hockey sense and working to be competitive and win your battles in games and practices. You cannot do that sitting in your basement thinking about playing Pro, playing rec or being 'safe'. Players need to first expose themselves, challenge themselves by playing against better and better competition and learning how to be better than the best competition.
The main reason the CHL players lose eligibility is because they get paid. Sadly the players barely get paid anything, which ultimately means nothing, but it is still against NCAA eligibility.
yes exactly, thats the "justification" by ncaa...that because CHL players get an approx. $50-75/week/player stipend they are "pro" ... it is convenient imo for ncaa who artificially inflate the value of tuition since the early 2000s (for all students btw not just the student athletes) and thus the value of full scholarships so they "don't have to" pay athletes. As you can see in the media, there is a lot of debate about this particularly in football and basketball which are multi billion dollar businesses for the NCAA. Meanwhile NCAA players are receiving dorms, meal benefits, expenses paid so its like I said imo a 'game' between the two destinations to defer players from playing in the best place between the ages of 16-20. Also the reality of US junior leagues is they are largely pay to play, so rather than going to say the CHL where players are taken care of for very basic needs, families face 3-5 more years of paying to play until they get their "scholarship benefits" of NCAA. The math rarely works out imo in the player's favor when you compare the two routes.
I’m 9 and I’m a girl I want to and I WANT to be in the NHL I have the biggest dream to be in the NHL I play hockey I know how to skate I’m the best girl on my team 2 girl on my team me and my friend. I feel like no one believes that I can make it not even my mom ..... and if and when I make it FUCK of don’t come in my life to change me I want to kill my self but when I see smiles I’m happy don’t give up
Nine years old you shouldn't be saying things like "fuck off to your family", show some respect for the people who pay for you. Second there is a professional women's hockey league, if you work hard anything is possible, but don't go saying stuff like that or you wan to kill yourself, at your age you have no clue what real suffering is.
Hyper Hype you actually CANT make it to the NHL because it is a men’s league.... 🙄 but you can play collegiately or in the NWHL. I’m sorry to say this but women do not play in the nhl, it is a men’s league.
thanks for your comment. The US is developing very high end talented players and Canada is for sure an easier place to play with deep competition in each local market, but the USNDTP program, NCAA and USA Hockey are all pumping out talented players who advance to pro ... Auston Matthews, Jack Eichel, Jack Hughes (sort of he was a Toronto Marlie and developed in Canada imo) and this year the volume of US born players drafted in the first round was a new record. www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/draft/nhl2019e.html
sure you do! being 12 the key is advancing so tryout for AAA/AA next season and failing that you ideally make A. You will learn first hand how good you are and the level you need to eventually play at by going to tryouts and a few showcases and competing against better players... For you play A @ 13, AA @ 14 and AAA at 15 (Tier 2--> Tier 1 in the US) and you will be on your way.
also the key is not focus upon anything other than 1. getting better (skills, skating, sense and compete) 2. challenging yourself constantly to get better. 3. remember its a game and you love it - have fun...In order to advance to the level you want to reach eventually get in the habit of shooting 100 pucks a day (off ice) and stickhandling for 20 mins a day...and when you go to extra ice at say stick and puck practice edges, transition skating, backwards etc... rather than just skating around in circles.
Hey ur probably going to not read this but I am now on a A team so things but I don’t know what to do if the season gets canceled. What are your thoughts?
I posted a video to explain what the Tier 1 Elite league is last week. You can check it out here: th-cam.com/video/JQZw311yOoU/w-d-xo.html
Great Info Michael
Very informative Vid. Can you make a follow up to this explaining different paths from some NHL players...example: Auston Matthews, Jack Hughes, Rasmus Dahlin, Mitch Marner to undrafted like Jonathan Marchessault.
sure
here is the path Jack, Quinn and Luke Hughes have followed th-cam.com/video/BIMS19khLfQ/w-d-xo.html
Dahlin th-cam.com/video/PGdQjVALAng/w-d-xo.html
My brother started a little over 1 year ago and is now on a u16 AAA t1ehl hockey team being scouted for the Naphl. This will be a huge help for him to look at
Ethan Hawthorne I’m sorry but I find that extremely hard to believe. Even the best athlete in the world couldn’t play AAA their first year on skates especially since he’s older
www.eliteprospects.com/team/24608/tri-state-spartans-midget-u16
His name is Brayden woodruff and he trains 5 days a week and use to train with Nicklas Lindberg in Florida. So yeah it’s possible.
that’s just not true but okay
@@hallmoniterhellen1766 its florida
What are goals I should try to reach, and things I should be looking for as a 13 year old playing A - AA level. Mainly to reach that overall goal.
I think the goals part is up to you as far as long term. Where do you want to play? College? Major jr? Professional? Then work backwards... create a plan from where you want to be to the place you are now. Then you have to get an idea of the level of skill of players at that level and systemically and consistently build those skills. Skating, puck skills, hockey sense and compete level. There are also fitness factors that will help. Then create the opportunity to play against better and better players to get comfortable ...and then to be competitive at each level you are aiming for. Consistent development- daily practice of stick handling (20 mins min.), shooting (100 pucks/day min) [and skating if possible - can you get on the ice on your own every day? how many days a week can you get on? push for more] that will help you get better and better... and of course have fun. If this all becomes stressful you will not want to keep playing. Do what feels right for you but understand the habits of the best players.
I’m 13 playing house hockey hopefully will be able to play travel next year!
Good luck bud! Make sure you do as many camps and extra training you can especially because you’re jumping straight into 14U where checking comes into play.
Same what rinks do you play at
Gl
I’m trying out for travel next year too. I only play rec. right now.
So if i am 14, playing for a AA Bantam team in Philly, what would be my best choice to go to a higher, possibly pro level?
And i understand that a lot of time needs to be dedicated to this but that is also so hard to do with things like schoolwork, any suggestions on ways to still work this in to an everyday schedule? i also play 6+ days most weeks (also play for my high school team)
@@zackkeenan2242 thanks for your question. So the key is to be able to make and compete at AAA. The jump from AA to AAA is never easy and is an adjustment so practicing and playing against older players, players already at that level is always part of my suggestion. Being honest in your self assessment of where your skating is at vs the level you want to play at - so you can work and improve enough to skate at that level. Waiting for a tryout to figure this out imo is a mistake. Figure it out now...same for stick handling and hockey sense i.e. making the best decisions with and without the puck in game situations. Communicate now with coaches at the teams/level you are thinking about and ask for their feedback on what they need, what you have to work on to not just reach the next level but also become over time and with work a top player. Again focus on four personal areas of skating, skills, game sense and compete level. Training with top skating or skills coaches in your area doesn't hurt. I suggest checking into see if anyone is running power edge pro or turcotte stickhandling camps in your area. are you a forward or d btw? Time management is a part of everyone's life including school work but by planning your school, training and sleep, nutrition... you can make it happen.
Pucks and Dreams fantastic answer & explanation
I’m on a Bantam A team in Minnesota (I’m 13) But I want to do something greater and better. Any recommendations?
Thanks for your question...so the logical progression would be to go A-> AA-> AAA. To do this you need to imo work on 4 things every day 1. stickhandling and shooting (puck skills) 2. skating - think edge control (do you know your edges how many there are?) and speed 3. hockey sense. Who is your favorite player? Watch them and understand the decisions they make in all zones with and without the puck and copy them. Do this regularly. 4. Compete. Every shift is a battle and a race. You must win all battles for the puck. faceoffs, boards, transition 1:1, getting to scoring areas etc. Skating coaches, shooting coaches are all helpful. Stickhandling for 20 minutes and shooting 100 pucks a day off ice is helpful. Your improvement in games will need to be a result of your work on the 4 areas I mentioned a little each day and playing with and learning from better players, coaches. I will do a few videos on this including how to figure out the skills inventory of where you actually are and where you want to be-- and thus what you want to work on over time to improve.
Pucks and Dreams the highest I can go for rec hockey is A. I do Tier 1 in the Spring/Summer. I’ll make sure to do everything you said.
I’ve played hockey since the age of 5 but lately the past year I’ve started taking hockey seriously and training/working out
Roman Thompson I’m from Minnesota too and since Minnesota doesn’t do AAA because most players will play highschool since its really good you have two options play highschool and get scouted from there or move out and billet to play AAA
Pucks and Dreams go on a good diet work out after school and study the mental aspects of the game
Thanks man, we’ll put together video, I am 14, have a family advisor and am currently looking to be placed next year for triple a, and moving away from home!
I wish you had mentioned both NCAA D3 and ACHA as both of those have possibilities of going pro afterwards (although I realize very rare)
hi there ... thanks for your comment. Good point... and my plan is to do a video on NCAA (and the other levels I mention). As you point out NCAA= D1 and D3 (no D2). For sure the D1 programs are more likely to allow someone to play at a pro level after but it's entirely possible for someone at a D3 school could advance to play somewhere in the world as a professional. ACHA is generally club level but I am seeing that these schools often will offer financial assistance for education packages... so its a great option regardless of wether you can advance to pro afterwards... which is entirely possible. I always say-- just keeping playing and pushing for the next highest level you can.
Pucks and Dreams in my experience ACHA D1 is slowly growing to a higher level of hockey and highest level teams can compete with NCAA D3 schools. I have seen players who continue to play after the ACHA/NCAA D3 go on to play in lower level professional leagues like the ECHL. After ACHA D1 however the lower divisions are all club teams containing tier two level players at best. Arizona State University is a good example of how the ACHA is growing larger and larger every year
Good information. I will pass this along to some of our junior players.
Hi I play on a AA prospects team in the CSDHL and this is my first year playing there. I am Peewee Major. I want to make it to the NHL. Do you have any recommendations for now and later and how to get there In the future?
I’m 13 nearly 14 and I’m pretty good. I moved teams due to to many goalies on my original one and stayed there for a year. Fast forward a year I’m back at my home team although my new team I just moved from had one other goalie for competition and I think I could has gotten on the AA team for that organization. My home team shafted me in try outs and I landed on the b team splitting time with another goalie that’s horrible. All I want to do is play high school hockey and the goalie for that high school looks good. What should I do?
hi Noochy thanks for your comment. I will start by asking What is your goal with hockey? Then here are a few comments based upon what you have said. The challenge with goaltending is that there are obviously few spots. The one thing I know is that with such a critical position it's important to pick the absolute best goalies and that is generally-all things being equal- what coaches do. That means different things but generally it means you are reliable and work hard to develop your skills as a goalie, and that you are a positive team mate. If a goalie is not trusted by his team for either of these - it has a very detrimental effect on the team. Politics aside, this is my experience. OK so I think as a goalie 1. you want a strong coach. Teams are notoriously terrible at developing goalies and self taught goalies are going to struggle vs trained goalies. Show me a top goalie and I will show you his coach and it's never the coach of a team. 2. You want to work with your personal goalie coach to identify the best spot for you so ideally they will advocate for you and provide honest feedback on your game performance, and have coaches they can recommend you to.
I’m 14 second year bantam a but what should I do next year I could play AA at my home rink I’m like 5’4 or should I try for a prep school that could be an option
Let's not worry about size. Focus on skating, skill, hockey sense and your compete level for pucks. Thats the first thing. Second, prep schools are a thought and if you can afford one/make one not bad depending on where and how good you are, how good the league is. AA - if that is the highest level locally and you are say playing rec now(?) or "A" then thats a logical next step. If I was 14 I would dedicate myself for a year to getting faster and better skilled with the puck. Team practices alone are not going to do it. Every day I would practice stickhandling for at least 20 minutes, (off ice is fine, ideally with a puck and one of those fake ice sheets or some other smooth plastic surface) shooting 100 pucks. I would find ways that I can practice and play with players older, better than myself. I would go to stick and puck and practice my stops, starts, transition from forward to backwards, edges, quickness and I would look at something like Power Edge Pro - are there coaches/camps doing this in your area? [google it] If not suggest to your coach they look at it and bring it in for your team. Ask yourself if I work at these things consistently for a year, how good can I get? What is the highest level team I can make to get more attention?
Good video. Thanks
Hi. I’m a 30 year old 5’ 10” goalie in a men’s league in southern Indiana. What path do I take to become an emergency back up goalie? Don’t tell me that ship has sailed.
there's always the Southern Professional League, can you attend all games and how are you at filling water bottles
Cloud Advisory haha that is a good point. I should be more active with our team. The Evansville Thunderbolts.
@@DsChelI you missed another opportunity in Carolina
Federal league “A”
aye i’m a u16 playing AAA in the states on a pretty good team and i was leading scorer on my team last year but didn’t get drafted in the ushl ohl or nahl and i don’t know what to do for next year. any recommendations?
i’ve also played AAA since i was 5 in toronto then moved to the states where i was consistently top 30 team in the country so i just want to know my options on if i should move to play somewhere else or continue with AAA for u18 and then try for a nahl or ushl roster
Hi Jake. Are you playing AAA on west or east coast? Naphl or tier 1 elite league...or something else?
So I'm thinking you for sure need to be on the radar of coaches in nahl and ushl now. The good thing about the u.s. is that those are both older leagues and you have time but it is a n important time for you. Tryouts are important but I would think about how to get your profile in front of coaches and GMs now and maybe get feedback on where you are at. It might also make sense to talk to an advisor or agent who can do this for you. I can give you more specific advice if I know the team you play for and you elite prospects profile.
yeah i play AAA tri state spartans in tier 1 elite on the east coast
elite prospects is Jacob Ammar 03
I’m a 2002 born and started playing in my 2nd year peewee and have played house league all my years, I’m trying to go to a hockey school to get better, but is it too late?
hi thanks for your comment. I guess the real question might be too late for what? Hopefully you love playing and your focus should be on having fun and getting better and being a life long hockey player in the future whether that is men's league, club etc.. A camp is a great start, the reality is that to get better a camp can help but top players do camps, train daily and play at the highest level. I'd say that your focus should be upon pushing yourself and finding ways to practice against better players as soon as possible and as much as possible. Attend camps, tryouts of the level you are thinking of playing next year. Come up with your own daily skills and skating routine to get better. Check out Turcotte stickhandling, Power Edge Pro, Sean Sinner, iTrain, Hockeyshot.com / Coach Jeremy, Pavel Barber on TH-cam for ideas on this ... I would say shooting 100 pucks a day, following a progressive stick handling routine for 20 mins a day are starts. Try to skate every day and work on your edges and starts/stops. The jump from rec to any sort of rep might be significant and at 17 time to play at high levels is not on your side, but who knows? Doing more in a short period of time and consistently between now and tryouts in April can tell you a lot about if you can make the jump in the short term.
I just turned 16 and i’ve played house league for like 3 years now but i just need some help with knowing what i can do to be able to play NCAA and hopefully pro
hi thanks for your comment. So realistically you are not competing at a high level (recreational) and would need to understand the gap between where you are and where you are thinking. As with most people who are 'thinking' about competing at NCAA or Pro they are going up against players who practice everyday and compete against players also on the track to the highest level. It would be a long road but if you are serious you would need to get to a AAA or AA level this season or next. Start by reaching out to coaches to see if you can practice with their teams or if they are willing to watch you play and give you feedback. You basically need to be on the ice every day developing your individual skills (skating, stickhandling) and develop your compete and game sense against the most competitive level and players you can. Between now and January reach out to several coaches and see if you can do this - and come up with a short term plan to develop your skating and skills. This would logically include weekly sessions with a skills coach and a skating coach either 1:1 or in small groups. Talk to players at the level in your area and get their feedback and see who that hardest working/most skilled player is and see if you can practice with them. Train with them. Where are you based?
Also plan on attending tryouts in April-June and see what camps in your area there are. See if you can find a Power Edge Pro or Turcotte stickhandling camp nearby
Pucks and Dreams i am based in the US, Las Vegas, so i would need to try and make a triple a or double a team and go to camps to get that competitive edge?
@@Sebastian-vd7sn its more than just a competitive edge. It is not a one time thing. Players at AAA often practice every day on their own + work with specialty coaches and then their teams. They train over the summer. They go to camps. Sometimes they go to full time hockey academies from the age of 11 or 12 years old. Right now step one is to understand the different between playing hockey recreationally and dreaming of ncaa/pro v.s. actually being against players at that level. Currently you have no idea what the level of hockey you are at vs the speed, tempo and physicality of a true midget program. In Las Vegas there are the Jr. Knights I suggest start there, attend skills sessions, talk to AA/AAA coaches and players and try to get on the ice every day. You have nothing to lose by going for it, but understand there is going to be a gap. That is only logical. Then its up to you over time are you willing to work to improve enough to make up for the gap between where you are at and where you want to be. www.vegasgoldenknightsjr.com/
Pucks and Dreams ohh okay i see, ill make sure to do so, thank you for helping me out with this, I really appreciate it
Being 15, and relatively new, it would be near impossible to go pro wouldn’t it?
Good question! I guess it all depends on how good you are [or can get]. Can you play right now on a legit AAA team or within the next year? Can you score, skate, do you have hockey sense? How long have you been playing? these are all good places to start.
Pucks and Dreams I think skating’s the main thing, I’m taking steps to mend this issue but yeah those other things certainly have to be considered.
@@johnlosh5221 skating is a must now to play anywhere tough to get by without it. If you are serious about seeing how good you can get I suggest check out www.beawesomehockey.com/page/show/2470910-boris-skating-camp-
th-cam.com/video/ltAtkUG43Yw/w-d-xo.html
Royal Rogue never give up my dude
I wish I had people like you around when I was trying to catch up with the junior team in the 80s went up and played about 160 games arm got real bad facial injury it wasn’t really worth it Came back and finished up with a couple years playing D1 after they made the NCAA rule change
I’m 15 playing AA which is the highest level at my organization can I get scouted playing here?
that depends but it is for sure difficult at 15U. Are you in the US or Canada? Ideally you play your 16U season on a AAA team somewhere (next yr). If you are in the east the OHL draft is your current season. West, it was last year in the WHL but a couple of things. 1.in the USA you can play 16U at NAPHL or Tier 1 elite and still have a good level of talent to compete against and have scouts 2. in Toronto/Ontario there is a major midget draft for the OHL so playing in the GTHL Midget season AAA there are lots of open spots and attention 3. in Western Canada (BC) there is also the BC Hockey run Major Midget league which gets scouted 4. CSSHL or USPHL (CDA, USA respectively) school leagues get scouted plenty 5. failing everything go to USHL/Tier 1Jr. tryouts come April-June for next year- there are plenty
Pucks and Dreams I’m in the USA in Virginia and i know somewhere close where a elite tier 1 usphl team is should I work towards that?
@@mark3697 that would make sense. A couple of suggestions for you that you can start with now... 1. go watch them play AND practice and get your head wrapped around the speed, decisions they make with the puck. 2. when you watch games count the time each player gets to touch the puck and then moves it or shoots it as you watch 3. see what players do without the puck. Are they gliding or moving their feet? these will start giving you clues as to how you can play at your current level and next year to make that team 4. talk to the coach and tell him your goal to make his team and ask for advice
Pucks and Dreams alright that sounds good but I also have a question about college hockey. My grades in school are about a 3.7 gpa and can make most colleges, would division 1 college hockey be good as well?
@@mark3697 yes however its not realistic to think you will make an NCAA Division 1 team playing AA alone... you will need time at AAA/Tier 1 or a prep school (USPHL, for e.g) and likely Jr A/USA Major Jr. (NAHL, USHL). NCAA teams are not built at tryouts and not often made by walk-ons. You need to compete against and show you are better than 80%+ of players at the highest level of Tier 1/major jr imo... there are 68 NCAA Division 1 teams and 72 Div 3 (no Div 2) ... so there is plenty of competition. Don't get stressed about it though, just understand the logical path you want to pursue in the next 2-3 yrs and work (have fun) trying to make each level. #trusttheprocess #enjoythejourney
What would you consider a “Legit” AAA team. Top 50-75 in the US?
Any team competing for a tier 1 state championship that is nationally bound technically would be AAA. It is unlikely a team (not always true) would compete at this level if they were actually tier 2 (A, AA) calibre- although it certainly happens.
and your definition is possibly ok or at least part of how you can evaluate where to try out/attempt to play... although I think when you get into the weeds of 50-75 there is certainly far less attention on them. Is the program attending events with top tier players and teams? e.g. naphl, tier 1, high performance league vs canadian teams, playing in Canadian AAA or CSSHL leagues, tournaments? This of course has nothing to do with your evaluation of the volume of non-game ice a program has, the focus on individual skill vs group/team tactics, the coaching etc. It is a reasonable part of the evaluation however of where to play along with the program's track record of producing players that move on to play major jr, jr, ncaa etc.
Usually one you have to try out to make. There’s a lot that are scams. There’s one in my state who will take anyone and they just suck. What state do you live in? I can find a good match for you.
check out this great look at Hockey Sense from the coach of the Portland Winterhawks, Mike Johnston www.linkedin.com/posts/mike-johnston-35049347_coach-hockey-coaching-ugcPost-6597566241026772992-AfOI
I’m 13 and only playing street hockey with skates, never skated on ice, but I can hopefully try out for the Ontario Jr Reign next year!
great! nothing wrong with roller hockey but best of luck - my suggestion is to start skating and pr acting on ice now- whether its as a guest of the team you are thinking of trying out for next year or stick and puck, clinics, camps etc
I’m 19 and I’m really good I would’ve played juniors last year but I was in the millitary I’m currently out now though is there any way I could play the miners and should I play junior a next year
MONTAGESNIPESTV I’m in the same boat man
hi thanks for your question. So my first question would be what is the highest level you have played? How long ago? You are currently in try-out territory so we gotta figure out a realistic level and someone(multiple someones) who will consider if you fit on their team.
and where do you live...
@@brandoncouch5170 same question above applies to you
Pucks and Dreams 1) I used to play goalie at 18 AAA got hurt and switched to forward when I was 18 and I’ve been training ever since . Got really good in a short time and have skated with junior a players and fit right in. I live in Roseville , CA.
Bro I recognize this guy and his voice from NCSA. Haven’t seen this guy in about 4 months because that was the last time I used it but
what is NCSA?
nice vid! i'm 13 and taking my first year bantam off so i can wait for my growth spurt
Thank you Fyre. so food for thought: our team in the WHL... drafted forwards who are 5'1 & 5'3 - because they are highly skilled. Losing a year doesn't help anyone and size is for most teams not their primary consideration. The game has changed and we focus on 1. skating 2. skill 3. hockey sense 4. compete level
and the most important thing is to enjoy playing. You only have so many seasons before your minor hockey time is up and I encourage everyone who plays to not take seasons off- Keep Playing, Keep Improving
Bad idea
@@aprilmotiondirectHawk are you saying taking a year off is a bad idea?
Pucks and Dreams yup, if you’re taking a year off to grow? That’s quite random, who knows when his growth spurt will even hit honestly what if it’s at 16 then he’s just wasted a year for no reason. I’m a second year player already playing in AA Bantam going into midgets next year.
You just need to be good. Does not matter if the path. You just need to be good.
Everyone thinks they are good. Everyone's parent's think their kids are good. Most families - in the U.S. for sure - have no idea what the different leagues, levels mean and if a player 'thinks' they are good vs weak competition and doesn't understand the actual path then they get stuck. They never understand how to evaluate their skills and ability vs the best players, partially because they don't expose themselves to the true level that players who eventually play at the highest levels come from. Then they make up excuses why other players progress - they were ripped off, nobody believes in me, its too expensive etc etc etc. They also have no exposure as a result to the best training methods, habits that the best players have. They also do not understand the viewpoint of the people picking teams- coaches, scouts and GMs. Saying "just be good" is an oversimplification and misses the entire point. There is a path for players to play, there are also players at those levels who don't even make the next level because they "can play" but don't have what it takes to play at the next level. Part of this is a ladder theory where you need to progressively get to the top levels and then progressively improve your skills to get to the top of the top level. Some people think its all genetics, luck or politics. Its none of that in the end. For some yes, but this is a sport where there are few short cuts. Skating, stickhandling, shooting a puck. These require more than athleticism and luck. They require consistency and training. How do below average players get better? The same way top players do. Understanding what their current limits are and them having breakthroughs to a new 'limit'. It's training consistently on skills, skating, hockey sense and working to be competitive and win your battles in games and practices. You cannot do that sitting in your basement thinking about playing Pro, playing rec or being 'safe'. Players need to first expose themselves, challenge themselves by playing against better and better competition and learning how to be better than the best competition.
The main reason the CHL players lose eligibility is because they get paid. Sadly the players barely get paid anything, which ultimately means nothing, but it is still against NCAA eligibility.
yes exactly, thats the "justification" by ncaa...that because CHL players get an approx. $50-75/week/player stipend they are "pro" ... it is convenient imo for ncaa who artificially inflate the value of tuition since the early 2000s (for all students btw not just the student athletes) and thus the value of full scholarships so they "don't have to" pay athletes. As you can see in the media, there is a lot of debate about this particularly in football and basketball which are multi billion dollar businesses for the NCAA. Meanwhile NCAA players are receiving dorms, meal benefits, expenses paid so its like I said imo a 'game' between the two destinations to defer players from playing in the best place between the ages of 16-20. Also the reality of US junior leagues is they are largely pay to play, so rather than going to say the CHL where players are taken care of for very basic needs, families face 3-5 more years of paying to play until they get their "scholarship benefits" of NCAA. The math rarely works out imo in the player's favor when you compare the two routes.
I will try to do a video at some point breaking down the costs. I'm no accountant but I'll do a little research to try and be accurate.
I’m 9 and I’m a girl I want to and I WANT to be in the NHL I have the biggest dream to be in the NHL I play hockey I know how to skate I’m the best girl on my team 2 girl on my team me and my friend. I feel like no one believes that I can make it not even my mom ..... and if and when I make it FUCK of don’t come in my life to change me I want to kill my self but when I see smiles I’m happy don’t give up
www.nwhl.zone/
I believe in you, put your mind to it and put the work in and you can do ANYTHING. Keep your head up 👍
Nine years old you shouldn't be saying things like "fuck off to your family", show some respect for the people who pay for you. Second there is a professional women's hockey league, if you work hard anything is possible, but don't go saying stuff like that or you wan to kill yourself, at your age you have no clue what real suffering is.
Hyper Hype you actually CANT make it to the NHL because it is a men’s league.... 🙄 but you can play collegiately or in the NWHL. I’m sorry to say this but women do not play in the nhl, it is a men’s league.
idk idk there’s been girls that played on the nhl there where goalies tho
So how much do you have to pay to advertise your video?
I’m a 17 year old enforcer the position is dieing but i well stick to it for life I was born in the wrong era
Probably can get to the ECHL
Are you from Quebec
Who are you
Want to be a hockey player? Get born in canadia
thanks for your comment. The US is developing very high end talented players and Canada is for sure an easier place to play with deep competition in each local market, but the USNDTP program, NCAA and USA Hockey are all pumping out talented players who advance to pro ... Auston Matthews, Jack Eichel, Jack Hughes (sort of he was a Toronto Marlie and developed in Canada imo) and this year the volume of US born players drafted in the first round was a new record. www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/draft/nhl2019e.html
Sid the kid all the way man
Well I’m 12 playing bantam b so I I guess I do not have that much of a chance
sure you do! being 12 the key is advancing so tryout for AAA/AA next season and failing that you ideally make A. You will learn first hand how good you are and the level you need to eventually play at by going to tryouts and a few showcases and competing against better players... For you play A @ 13, AA @ 14 and AAA at 15 (Tier 2--> Tier 1 in the US) and you will be on your way.
also the key is not focus upon anything other than 1. getting better (skills, skating, sense and compete) 2. challenging yourself constantly to get better. 3. remember its a game and you love it - have fun...In order to advance to the level you want to reach eventually get in the habit of shooting 100 pucks a day (off ice) and stickhandling for 20 mins a day...and when you go to extra ice at say stick and puck practice edges, transition skating, backwards etc... rather than just skating around in circles.
Hey ur probably going to not read this but I am now on a A team so things but I don’t know what to do if the season gets canceled. What are your thoughts?
no i don’t lmao
NHL ahl ohl