How to Pick a Hockey Academy
We went through this process last year with the schools most folks would consider the top three girls hockey academies in the U.S. Here are some of the key learnings from our experience and how our daughter made her decision on which one was right for her.
This is an update to a previous post from April, 2022 on “Q1 2022 Women’s College Hockey Commitment Rate Update”. The 2024 commits have started to be announced.
This past weekend I was in Las Vegas to watch my second USA Hockey Pacific Districts Camp. The general format was pretty much the same as last, with 3 practices and 3 games. However, there were a few subtle differences from the previous year that I wanted to share. Here are my notes:
I’ve been asked a few times recently about which showcases to attend in 2022. While I am not the expert on all showcases and which ones to attend, here are a variety of thoughts I have on the subject…
As of March 31st, 2022, only 97 commits have been made for DI programs compared to 163 (2021) and 139 (2022) at the equivalent time before starting for those grade years.
Last week, I started to explore new teams for my 14-year old son to play on next season. Here’s what I did to help him earn a tryout.
Here is a list of 2022 Girls Hockey Tournaments, Showcases, Development Camps and Summer Camps
This is an update to a previous post from October, 2021 on “How Does the Number of 2023 Women’s College Hockey Commits Compare to Previous
Last weekend I was asked by one of the DI women’s college hockey teams to share the Close the Gap graphic on our social media accounts. However, when it comes to this kind of stuff, I like to be educated on the topic.
I decided to analyze the commitment dates by DI college start year for those student-athletes starting in 2021 vs. 2022 and 2023.
This post serves as a general framework on defining the women’s college hockey athlete recruiting process. In addition, it attempts to provide context on tracking the process.
This is the third and final post focusing on the college recruiting process based on my experience as a parent at the USA Hockey Girls Camp that took place in St Cloud Minnesota from July 10-15, 2021.
This post is the second in a series about the USA Hockey Girls 15’s Camp I attended from July 10-15, 2021. For most girls, the ultimate goal of attending any of the girls camps (15,16/18 or U18), is to be invited to the Women’s National Festival which includes players from all age groups (National Team, U23 and U18) being considered for a national roster.
This post is the first in a three-part series on my experience as a parent at the 2021 USA Hockey 15’s Girls Select hockey camp. In this series, I will first cover the schedule and operational details about the event.
This past weekend my 2006 daughter and I attended our first showcase with Division I coaches participating and scouting the event. The 585 PIP Showcase – Roc City Style took place in Rochester, New York at the Bill Gray Iceplex from Friday June 18-20, 2021. Here is what I learned..
For this analysis we looked at how many commitments have already taken place by academic year, including this past 2020 academic year.
This past weekend I attended my first USA Hockey Girls District Camp in Las Vegas for the Pacific District with my daughter (2006 birth year). As someone who is new to this whole process, I wanted to share my learnings from the experience and conversations with the organizers & coaches in attendance.
What are the pros and cons of girls playing boys hockey? Based on the research, some additional information I have collected from podcast interviews & my parental experience, here are my thoughts on the key factors for girls playing boys hockey.
Here is a list of 2021 Girls Hockey Tournaments, Showcases, Development Camps and Summer Camps
Comparing U.S. and Canadian Female Hockey Participation – interesting insights between the U.S. and Canada and also between male vs. female hockey participation.
I loved Darryl Belfry’s book Belfry Hockey, but I don’t believe I was Darryl Belfry’s target audience, because I am neither a hockey coach nor a skills instructor. As I mentioned in my first post, I’m just a hockey dad. I do not profess to be a hockey expert…
College Commits Infographic: Download our infographic about Women’s College Hockey Commits Insights
In this final post about how to develop a great hockey player, we discuss grit. Grit is the ability for a player to demonstrate focus and determination to overcome the inevitable challenges that come with high-level hockey.
In this fifth post about how to develop a great hockey player, we discus how talent, natural gifts and luck play a key role in hockey development. While it is possible to consider these attributes out of a player’s or parent’s control, they can certainly be influenced.
In this fourth post about how to develop a great hockey player, the focus is on quality coaching. Let me be clear that I am not talking about what makes a great coach…
Why is ice time important? I think every parent and player intuitively believes the more time you spend training on ice the better a player you will be.
As a hockey parent I have always tried to figure out what the formula is on how to develop a great hockey player. And if there is one thing I have figured out, it is that to be great at hockey, just like anything else, you need to have a natural love of the game.
What does it take as a hockey parent to help your player become truly elite? This series of posts will discuss five different factors that in my opinion contribute to becoming an above average hockey player.
In May, 2019, the NCAA introduced new recruiting rules which restricted college recruiting to only allow verbal commitments to start August 1st of a player’s Junior year. This fundamentally changed the timeline for women’s college hockey recruits.
Which Division I colleges have the most women’s hockey commits? 3 Ivy League schools are at the top of the list.
If you want to know which girl’s hockey clubs or schools produce the most DI women’s college hockey commits, here is your answer:
What percent of D1 women’s college hockey commits come from Canada vs. the U.S. and why does it matter? Well, as I talk to my 14 year-old daughter about potentially playing Division I women’s college hockey, it’s important for her to understand who she is competing with.
This week I decided to analyze a list of about 750 women’s college hockey commits and came away with five key insights.
If you are going to listen to only one podcast as a youth hockey player or parent, The Hockey Think Tank is the one we would recommend.
Kelly Katorji is one of, if not ‘the’ most networked and knowledgeable people in women’s hockey. He has literally watched thousands of young girls develop in to college, pro and Olympic hockey players over his many years.
Richard Bercuson has been a hockey coach and teacher for decades and really knows more than just about anyone about youth hockey development. This podcast is the reboot of the TSN 1200 show
In Aaron Wilbur’s podcast series Glass and Out, he interviews many of the top NHL, college and junior coaches from North America and Europe.
This past weekend, my 14 year old daughter and I flew to Rochester, New York to attend the Premier Ice Prospects girls showcase event. It was the first time my daughter has attended this type of weekend and also her first time playing with girls.
Connor Carrick is a current New Jersey Devil defenseman who has some of the best guests from both inside and outside of hockey.
Kudos to multi-sport athlete Finley Frechette for creating this show about the Cornell Women’s Ice Hockey team. Starting a podcast is no simple task
Coach Pete Kamman and Coach Danny Heath have some excellent guests from all over the hockey world. The show has a strong focus on hockey development
As someone who has a daughter playing hockey in a non-traditional hockey market, it is great to hear about Lyndsey Fry’s journey from Arizona to Harvard to the U.S. Olympic team.
From The Point is a relatively new podcast focused on all things women’s hockey. Hockey coach Bob Deraney and Hank Morse started the show in late 2019
The Hockey Training podcast is one of the audio programs I have been listening to the longest. This podcast (plus their website, YouTube videos and training programs) provides hockey-specific training knowledge and exercises to help you “dominate on the ice”.
About 2 ½ years ago I went down the hockey podcast rabbit hole. Specifically seeking out the best podcasts for hockey parents of youth players.
Why we started Champs. Hi! I’m Ray and I’m a hockey dad. In addition, I am a below average hockey player with an above average love of the game. Both my kids play youth hockey here in northern California.
