What are Your Hockey Options?

Almost every elite hockey player has gone through several stages in their hockey career.  Some of these stages are based on the age of the player while others are based on skill level.  Although you may have a dream of playing in the NHL there are several different ways to accomplish that dream.  Not many people make a straight line to the NHL.  Here is a quick review of the different levels of hockey that any Saskatchewan goaltender may progress through.  Each review will give the pros and cons associated with each. level

• Midget “AA”
  • Pros:
    still a good level, good option for the first year Midget goaltender
    stay at home, finish education&
    more skill development, less pressure
    more playing time
• Cons:
  less skill, many of the athletes play other sports as well
  less scouting
  less structure
  less quality coaching

• Midget “AAA”
  • Pros:
    more scouting
    some better coaching
    more structure, more professional atmosphere
    more practices, almost every day
    save on equipment, some teams provide some equipment
  • Either:
    press
    pressure
    travel
  • Cons:
    away from home, less social life away from hockey
    the cost is higher
    education may lag is you let it

• College (ACAC)
  • Pros:
    mix of technical or grad schools
    high-level hockey, can still move on to university or pro
    less academic penalties
    eligible for 4 years
    schooling is generally good
    less travel
    set schedule
    less entrance requirements
    can get some scholarship money
    some funding for equipment
  • Cons:
    less academic penalties
    less funding than university or NCAA
    lower than top CIS, NCAA teams
    no full scholarships
    expensive to live in big cities and go to school
    must manage time well
    fewer team
• University CIS
  • equal or better than some pro
    great education
    better scholarship money
    more funding
    set schedule
    lots of travel
    excellent coaching
    treatment of players is good to excellent
    5 years eligibility
    equipment paid for
    stay in Canada!
  • Cons:
    almost no full scholarships
    time management must be mastered
    academic penalties
    stricter entrance requirements
    less parity between teams
• NCAA
  • Pros:
    partial to full scholarships
    set schedule
    lots of fan/media support
    lots of travel
    a lot of pro scouting, increasing NHL interest
    treated like royalty, lots of funding
    schooling is generally good
  • Cons:
    still expensive if you are not on a full scholarship
    more academic surveillance
    schooling can be sporadic
    time management is always an issue
    must take SAT, and register with NCAA
    external pressures

   

  While it is nice to make it to as high a level as possible, goaltenders need to make a decision on where they will play, that is well thought out and informed.  Your playing level, age and the level you wish to play at will determine where you should play.  You need to ask yourself some tough but important questions.  What will the living arrangements be?  What will this do for my education?  What will be the cost?  How much ice time will I get?  Among many other questions.           

  Many young goaltenders have made the jump from Bantam or one year of Midget into Junior “A” or the WHL.  Sometimes it is better to stay at a lower level to insure that you get more playing time.  You need to ask whether practicing and hardly playing with the big boys is as good for your development as staying back a level and getting a lot more ice time.  There are always developmental concerns when jumping up a level of elite hockey ahead of your age bracket.  Even if a coach “promises” a spot or lots of ice time you need to examine the situation as fully as possible.  Not all experiences are created equal.  In the end, you need to know what your options are for goal setting and in case of any setback. 

   

  **Remember: One setback does not end a hockey career.
  Perseverance is a virtue all goalies need to embrace.**