Opportunities In College Hockey
Washington Capitals
8th Annual
College Hockey Fair
Andy Gojdycz
Associate Coach in Chief
Atlantic District, USA Hockey
USA Hockey proudly supports
College Hockey Inc and
American Collegiate Hockey Association
Head Coach
Rutgers University
Achieving Your Dream
• Typical Questions:
– How important are academics?
– What is best for me?
– How do I get noticed?
– If I am good enough, will they find me?
– What role does my coach play?
– What are other considerations?
– What is the best route to college hockey?
– Is there more than one?
USA Hockey proudly supports
College Hockey Inc and
American Collegiate Hockey Association
– Where do I start?
Pursuing Your Dream
• Typical Routes to College Hockey:
–Prep School
•~75 boys and ~56 girls programs
–USAH and Canadian Junior Hockey
•Top 6% of players ages 15 – 20
–High School
•Sanctioned scholastic
–USA Hockey
•Midget Tier 1 & Tier 2 [18U]
USA Hockey proudly supports
College Hockey Inc and
American Collegiate Hockey Association
DIFFERENT LEVELS OF COLLEGE HOCKEY
DIVISION I (58 TEAMS)
- - ATHLETIC SCHOLARSHIPS.
DIVISION II (4 TEAMS) & DIVISION III (74 TEAMS)
- - NO ATHLETIC SCHOLARSHIPS.
NON-VARSITY/ACHA (421+ TEAMS IN 3 DIVISIONS)
- - NO ATHLETIC SCHOLARSHIPS.
USA Hockey proudly supports
College Hockey Inc and
American Collegiate Hockey Association
Academic Realities
SAT SCORES
SCHOOLS
[MATH & VERBAL]
AVAILABLE TO YOU
1400 +
[ACT 34+]
USA Hockey proudly supports
College Hockey Inc and
American Collegiate Hockey Association
181
1200 +
153
1100 +
115
1000 +
75
900 +
17
[ACT 17-20]
What You Might Consider Important
• Determining what is appropriate:
– Academic Impact
• NCAA eligibility
– Reputation of the Program
• History
– Recruiting Footprint
• Where do they come from?
– Location
• Visit before committing
– Be Realistic
• Cost
• Those who play & those who pay
USA Hockey proudly supports
College Hockey Inc and
American Collegiate Hockey Association
– Social
– Coach
“PLAY IT SMART, PLAY COLLEGE HOCKEY”
IN THE HISTORY OF THE NHL, ONLY 5,100 PLAYERS
HAVE PLAYED IN EVEN ONE GAME.
EVEN FOR ELITE PLAYERS WHO PLAY NCAA DIVISION
I OR MAJOR JUNIOR, ONLY 5-8% WILL EVER PLAY
IN THE NHL.
GIVEN THIS LANDSCAPE, YOUR EDUCATION SHOULD
NEVER TAKE A BACK SEAT TO HOCKEY.
USA Hockey proudly supports
College Hockey Inc and
American Collegiate Hockey Association
EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT & ASSISTANCE
*SCHOLARSHIP AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
OPPORTUNITIES.
*AVAILABILITY OF TUTORING AND ACADEMIC
SUPPORT. COACHES PAY ATTENTION TO
HOW WELL PLAYERS ARE DOING IN CLASSES.
USA Hockey proudly supports
College Hockey Inc and
American Collegiate Hockey Association
EDUCATION COMES FIRST, AND TEAMS TRY
TO SCHEDULE ACCORDINGLY.
ACHA College Hockey
• Non Varsity Programs; Organized in 1991
• Men’s and Women’s Programs
– Division 1 .......+/- 59 men’s; +/- 22 women’s
– Division 2 .......+/- 188 men’s; +/- 23 women’s
– Division 3........+/- 161 men’s
• Roster size 20 to 30 players
• Standard college admissions process
• Pay-to-play costs vary among programs
• ACHA National Championships
USA Hockey proudly supports
College Hockey Inc and
American Collegiate Hockey Association
• Team USA World University Games
• Most Midget [Tier 1 and 2] players can play
Impact of Major Junior Hockey
• What you should know about Major Junior
– Playing one game of Major Jr will effect your
eligibility
• Exhibitions are included in this rule
– Major Junior Camps
• you may stay for 48 hours on them
– Goalies
• Dressing is playing
– Signing an Agent Contract makes you
ineligible
USA Hockey proudly supports
College Hockey Inc and
American Collegiate Hockey Association
What is Important to the Coach
• Academic Performance
– Work / life balance
• Passion & Purpose
• Mental Toughness
– Self-discipline or potential liability
• Training / Nutrition / Strength
• Coachability
– Desire to learn / demonstrate
• Skills
– Practice habits
USA Hockey proudly supports
College Hockey Inc and
American Collegiate Hockey Association
• Hockey Sense
• Team Player
College Hockey Offers
• Stability
• The Development Model
– Practice vs. game
– Off-ice training / development
– Coaching Staff
– Facilities
– Competeition
• Social Experience
• Education – a college degree
USA Hockey proudly supports
College Hockey Inc and
American Collegiate Hockey Association
• Life long friendships & network
The Hockey News Reported…
Back in the ’70’s major junior hockey was the way
to go...but if I were a teenager hell-bent on
becoming a professional hockey player, the
decision to play [major] hockey would not be as
automatic as it once was...in fact, the Hockey
52% NCAA College Route
38% Major Junior
10% Europe
USA Hockey proudly supports
College Hockey Inc and
American Collegiate Hockey Association
News / NHL player poll indicated that they would
opt for the college route over the junior route.
-Hockey News
Academic Incentive
• Earning a college degree
– 16% of CHL [Major Junior]
– 84% of NCAA
USA Hockey proudly supports
College Hockey Inc and
American Collegiate Hockey Association
Summary
• Keys to Getting Noticed
– Academically attractive
– Good development program
– Coach is your strongest advocate
– Alumni speak in your behalf
– USA Hockey Select Camps
– Compete in District Tournaments
– Compete in National Tournaments
– Compete at your best effort
USA Hockey proudly supports
College Hockey Inc and
American Collegiate Hockey Association
• You never know who is watching
Opportunities in College Hockey
USA Hockey proudly supports
College Hockey Inc and
American Collegiate Hockey Association
Remember,
there is nothing
wrong in
believing in
your dreams!
USA Hockey proudly supports
College Hockey Inc and
American Collegiate Hockey Association