We are again in the midst of the “camp season”. From May to July most Junior organizations are holding their prospect/pre-draft and main camps where they select their roster for next season’s team. The USHL Main Camps are mainly held in June whereas most of the NAHL teams have theirs in July, and Tier III, depending on the league, from May until August. As most European players are not familiar with these camps and, accordingly, have lots of questions, I thought it was a good time to answer some of the questions. Do I have to attend a camp? Which one: prospect, predraft or main camp? Can you just sign up? How are my chances as a free agent of getting a roster spot? [continue reading…]
The new rules set new dates for first recruiting contacts with the goal of slowing down and improving the recruiting process. The changes will significantly alter the timeline for Division I hockey prospects. How will they impact European (import) players?
Over the last few days both top US Hockey Leagues announced changes in their league team rosters for 2019-20 which will have an impact on the US ice hockey junior landscape. While the Tier I USHL will operate, based on the current level of information, with one team less, the Tier II NAHL will add two teams. It is good and bad news but overall good for players as it will add, a net, 23 free to play Junior spots for next season! [continue reading…]
When I talk to Swiss players and their parents, I often get the impression that they think the only way to the NHL is by playing Junior hockey in Canada. This is definitely not correct. Analyzing the November 7, “NHL Draft Watch List 2019” and EliteProspects table “2018-19 NHL Players Produced per League” paint a different picture. Although the Canadian CHL remains one of the leading options to get drafted there are plenty of alternatives. [continue reading…]
NCAA regulations require all incoming student-athletes to meet a prescribed level of academic performance while maintaining their amateur status before entering college. The students who wish to compete at the Division I and II level must be certified by the NCAA Eligibility Center which looks at two main criteria: [continue reading…]
In Switzerland only three of the four available paths to the NHL, for Swiss Junior Ice Hockey players, are commonly known: the Swiss National League, Sweden’s SuperElit and the Canadian Hockey League Major Juniors (CHL). Up to now most of the talented Swiss Junior players chose the CHL path (Sbisa, Niederreiter, Bärtschi, Meier, Andrighetto, Hischier etc.). Only a few tried the alternative USHL/NCAA path (Luca Cunti, Brady & Jordy Murray).
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