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📕 Introduction to Hockey Recruiting

The reality of hockey recruiting (honest assessment)

Different paths to success in hockey

The Importance of Education Alongside Hockey

Setting realistic expectations

🛠 Building Your Hockey Profile

Introduction

Creating an effective player resume

Developing a Compelling Highlight Reel

Distribution Tips

Managing Your Digital Footprint and Social Media

Tracking and Showcasing Your Statistics Effectively

Building Relationships with Current Coaches

Getting Meaningful Recommendation Letters

The Bottom Line

🚀 Scouts & Showcases

Getting Maximum Exposure

Identifying the Right Showcase Tournaments

Making the Most of Every Scouting Opportunity

Understanding What Scouts Are Actually Looking For

Contacting programs and coaches (templates included)

The Showcase Bottom Line

The Tryout/Invite Process

Evaluating Tryout Camps: Where Should You Go?

Preparing for Tryouts

What to Expect at a Tryout Camp

Tips for Standing Out and Making an Impression

How to Act and Dress at a Camp

You Have No Friends Until the Team is Picked

What Do Teams Look For in a Player or Goalie?

Your Make-or-Break Moment

💼 Navigating Family Advisors and Agents

Understanding Hockey Advisors

What family advisors actually do vs. what they promise

Red flags when selecting an advisor

Typical costs and fee structures (what's reasonable)

Questions to ask before signing with anyone

The difference between advisors and agents

When you actually need representation (and when you don't)

How to terminate advisor relationships that aren't working

Final Thoughts

Understanding the Different Junior Hockey Leagues

Tier l & II Junior A Leagues

Other Junior Leagues & Levels

USA Hockey League vs non-USA Hockey League

European junior hockey opportunities

Understanding College Hockey

NCAA eligibility requirements and maintaining eligibility

ACHA college hockey as an alternative

Comparing the pros and cons of each path

Making informed program visits

Conclusion & Resources

💰 The Financial Reality of Hockey Development

Real costs of pursuing elite hockey

Junior hockey expenses and billeting considerations

Understanding NCAA scholarship limitations (partial vs. full)

CHL education packages explained

Hidden costs that families don't anticipate

Budgeting for travel, equipment, and development

Avoiding financial pitfalls and predatory promises

🔍 The Tryout and Selection Process

Preparing mentally and physically for tryouts

What coaches are actually evaluating

Making a positive impression beyond skating skills

Handling feedback and rejection professionally

Post-tryout communication strategies

The importance of the "intangibles" in selection

Creating opportunities when you've been overlooked

📋 Understanding Offers and Commitments

Decoding verbal offers and commitments

The NCAA Letter of Intent process

CHL draft and signing considerations

Junior hockey tender agreements

The reality of "guaranteed" spots

Negotiating better terms (what's possible)

Weighing multiple offers effectively

🏫 Balancing Academics and Hockey

Academic requirements for different hockey paths

Maintaining grades while pursuing hockey

NCAA clearinghouse and eligibility requirements

Online and flexible schooling options

Study habits for traveling players

Standardized test preparation while playing

Academic red flags that scare away college programs

🤝 Ethics and Expectations

Being honest about abilities and expectations

Respecting the process and people involved

Social media behavior and reputation management

Handling rejection gracefully

Family dynamics during recruiting

Ethics of commitments and de-commitments

Building a reputation that attracts opportunities

📝 Year-by-Year Checklist

Age 14 checklist

Age 15 checklist

Age 16 checklist

Age 17 checklist

Age 18 checklist

Post-high school options

🚪 What to Do When Things Don't Go as Planned

Signs your current path isn't working

Ultimate Hockey Recruiting Guide

<div class="simple-box-wrapper"><div class="simple-box"><div class="column" flex-size="undefined"><h3>Thank You</h3><p>First and foremost, thank you for picking up this guide. Whether you're a young hockey player with dreams of advancing to higher levels or a parent trying to support your child's hockey journey, the fact that you're reading this means you're committed to doing this the right way. That commitment is the first step toward success in the complex world of hockey recruiting.</p><h3>Why I Wrote This Guide</h3><p>My name is Mike Valley. I grew up playing junior A hockey for the Chilliwack Chiefs in the BCHL, and after two years, I earned a scholarship to the University of Wisconsin. Following my college career, I signed as a free agent with my hometown team, the Vancouver Canucks. I was fortunate enough to play professionally for six years, including a brief stint in the NHL. When my playing days concluded, I transitioned to coaching, starting with the Nashville Predators' American Hockey League team, the Milwaukee Admirals. I then spent six years coaching with the Dallas Stars and served two years as their director of goaltending.</p><p>Throughout my journey in hockey, from being a hopeful young player to coaching professionals, I've witnessed countless talented athletes and families navigate the recruiting process. I've seen some succeed brilliantly, others struggle unnecessarily, and many fall prey to misinformation or expensive promises that never materialize.</p><p>I wrote this guide because I believe that accurate information is the most valuable asset in hockey recruiting. The landscape is complex, often confusing, and sometimes deliberately misleading. Parents and players invest incredible amounts of time, money, and emotional energy into pursuing hockey dreams. They deserve honest guidance that helps them make informed decisions.</p><h3>The Importance of Understanding the Hockey Recruiting Landscape</h3><p>The hockey recruiting world operates with its own unwritten rules, timelines, and expectations. What works for one player may not work for another. What's true in one region might not apply in another. What was standard practice five years ago might be outdated today.</p><p>Understanding this landscape isn't just helpful—it's essential. Without this knowledge, families can waste thousands of dollars on the wrong showcases, align themselves with the wrong advisors, or miss critical windows of opportunity. With proper understanding, you can make strategic decisions that maximize your chances of success while minimizing unnecessary expenses and stress.</p><h3>Who Should Read This Guide</h3><p>This guide is for:</p><ul><li><strong>Players aged 14-18</strong> who are serious about advancing to junior, college, or professional hockey</li><li><strong>Parents supporting their hockey players</strong> who want to make informed decisions</li><li><strong>Coaches working with aspiring players</strong> who want to better advise their athletes</li><li><strong>Anyone involved in youth hockey</strong> who wants to understand the reality of the recruiting process</li></ul><p>While focused primarily on North American hockey, many principles in this guide apply internationally. The information is most relevant to players who have already established themselves as above-average players in their current leagues and are looking to advance to higher levels.</p><h3>How to Use This Guide Effectively</h3><p>This isn't a guide to be read once and put away. It's designed to be a reference throughout your hockey journey. Different sections will become relevant at different stages, and the checklists and resources can be consulted repeatedly as you progress.</p><p>I recommend reading the entire guide first to understand the big picture, then returning to specific sections as they become immediately relevant to your situation. Use the year-by-year checklists to ensure you're on track, and refer to the templates and resources in the appendix when needed.</p><p>Most importantly, approach this guide with an open mind. Some of what you read may challenge assumptions you've held or advice you've been given. That's intentional. My goal is to provide the unvarnished truth about hockey recruiting—not what sells the most training programs or what makes parents feel most comfortable.</p><p>The path to high-level hockey isn't easy, but with the right information and approach, you can navigate it successfully. Let's get started.</p></div></div></div>