SkateGuard’s Post

Young hockey players in Tier 1 leagues have new opportunities to consider between the NCAA and CHL pathways. Major junior hockey, which has long been known for its highly competitive environment, recently saw a shift with the NCAA allowing its athletes to receive compensation under Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rules. However, while NCAA programs are now open to players from major junior leagues, a key restriction remains: players can only receive “actual and necessary expenses” while in major junior, limiting their compensation options until they transition to the NCAA. This landscape means high-end players face important choices about when—and if—they should move from major junior to college hockey. When weighing these options, it’s essential to look beyond immediate gains and consider programs that support athletic, personal, and financial growth for a more balanced and sustainable career path.  Message us if you'd like to learn more. #hockeyplayers #majorjuniorhockey #elitehockey #CHL #youthhockey #NCAA #hockeyparents #USHL #OHL #NIL #QMJHL #WHL #AHL #HockeyLife #financialliteracy

There are some big changes in NCAA D1 Hockey... It's a great time to learn more about NCAA D1, as it was confirmed that the NCAA will move to 26 full scholarships for men’s and women’s Division 1 hockey in 2025-26. They will also limit the teams to 26 roster spots max. This will have significant ramifications for programs currently carrying more than 26 players, or with large recruitment classes for fall 2025. Decisions will have to be made and that will lead to a lot of player movement and NCAA programs changing the number of players they recruit and how they construct their future rosters.

The Evolution of Women’s Hockey—From Growth 📈 to Opportunity 🏆 Extremely exiting times for women's hockey: 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗡𝗼𝘄? • Women’s hockey participation grew 29% in the last 5 years. • The new PWHL’s neutral-site games aim to expand visibility across North America. • College opportunities are booming, with 35 NCAA D1 teams and growing.

What Is Your Summit? Last week I started working with HighSchool Hockey Player and I started off talking about what was his summit? He was confused and wasn’t sure what I was talking about so I broke it down with him. You must begin with the end in mind to give your journey a greater sense of purpose. You must know precisely where it is you want to end up and why you want to end up there, or you might find yourself climbing the wrong mountain- a mountain that your parents or someone else wanted you to climb, not the mountain you wanted to climb. Think about your desired destination. Is it best player on your team? Being best player in the state? Getting that Div 1 scholarship? Getting drafted to NHL? You must have an outcome goal and a destination to start your journey. You are allowed to climb more than one mountain, but should focus on one summit at a time. Keeping your mind in the present moment, sticking with the process and staying postive will help you to better enjoy your journey. Lastly hike one step at a time, and play hockey one shift at a time. #hockey #mentalperformance #mentalconditioning #summit #oneshiftatatime #highschoolhockey

New article from Erica James: As Enrollment Falls, Girls' Hockey is Booming ▶ Girls' hockey continues to grow in North America despite barriers on both sides of the border Read more below:

CAREER NEWS PRESS RELEASE I am proud and honored to announce that I am collaborating with Russ Cohen on my FIFTH career book project! “Game Winners — The Greatest Game-Winning Goals In Hockey History” is going to be a terrific read! Current estimates have the book hitting the marketplace in The Fall of 2024! #Books #Hockey #GameWinners #Goals #FifthBook #CareerNews #PressRelease

The Beauty of Field Hockey: A Sport Like No OtherAs a sport, field hockey is often underrated, but it's a game that requires skill, strategy, and teamwork like no other. With its rich history and growing popularity, field hockey has become a beloved sport for millions around the world.From its origins in ancient civilizations to its modern-day Olympic competitions, field hockey has evolved into a fast-paced and thrilling game that demands athleticism, agility, and precision. The crack of the stick, the rush of the ball flying across the field, and the cheers of the crowd all combine to create an electrifying experience.But field hockey is more than just a sport - it's a community. Players from diverse backgrounds and cultures come together to share their passion and dedication to the game. The values of teamwork, discipline, and sportsmanship that field hockey instills have a lasting impact on players both on and off the field.So, let's celebrate the beauty of field hockey! Whether you're a seasoned player or just discovering the sport, join the conversation and share your love for the game.*Hashtags:* #FieldHockey #FieldHockeyLove #HockeyCommunity #TeamSport #OlympicSport #Sportsmanship #Teamwork #Discipline #PassionForTheGamehttps://lnkd.in/dcvHWarz

Some Interesting insights into the NCAA college hockey transfer trends from the 2023 portal:🤔 291 Division-I players entered the portal. 74.2 percent transferred to new Division-I programs. 9.6 percent went Division-III. 4.8 percent turned pro after entering. 4.8 percent never landed anywhere. 2.1 percent stayed with current team. 1.4 percent played ACHA club hockey. 6 Division-III players moved up to Division-I. It’s very important to have realistic expectations when you enter the transfer portal and you understand all the possible outcomes. It’s always exciting to see the pathways players take, as we all have a different path to success. #hockey #juniorhockey #ncaahockey #visionarysports #achieveyourvision

Recent take of mine regarding junior hockey expansion: We've seen the Boston Dogs, Springfield Jr. Pics, and Montana Buckaroos announce expansion to the NCDC for next season (Dogs already moved up independently this year from EHL). Definitely don't think its the end of the Tier 3-Tier 2 expansion as we'll see a few more teams doing so in the spring, but what does this ultimately mean for a league like the NCDC moving forward? Since the NCAA/CHL rule came into play, it seems that more clubs are seeking that 'Tier 2' status to elevate themselves when pushing their players on to college. Personally when you bring up Tier 3 programs to a Tier 2 league, especially one that's not considered a top league, you're going to water it down no matter what. Expansion is great, but keeping certain leagues concentrated and tighter-knit with talent will always keep a league stronger. Almost feel like a Euro-style promotion/relegation system would allow Tier 3 teams to 'earn' their way up to Tier 2. Rumours of the CHL expanding have circulated as well. Will definitely be an interesting 2025 in junior hockey.

What Hockey Scouts are looking for? Here at Hudl we are always trying to find the best answers to questions like that. Players aiming the next level and parents and coaches supporting them, understanding what scouts look for is crucial. I’ve compiled insights from top scouts and hockey analysts to highlight the key attributes that make a player stand out. Here are the 9 essential traits: Offensively: 1️⃣ Creating Time and Space – The cornerstone of offensive play. 2️⃣ Handling Pressure – Patience and playmaking under pressure. 3️⃣ Depth of Skills – Multiple options to beat defenders. 4️⃣ Work Off the Puck – Effort and intelligence in positioning. 5️⃣ Ice Scanning – Constant awareness and information gathering. Defensively: 6️⃣ Taking Away Time and Space – Effective angling and positioning. 7️⃣ Retrievals – Essential puck retrieval and breakout skills. Intangibles: 8️⃣ Body Language – Positive and resilient attitude. 9️⃣ Accurate Self-Assessment – Honest self-evaluation and growth plans. During this week I'll discuss more about the findings and how Hudl Instat Ice Hockey can help. #scout #icehockey #playerdevelopment #playeragent